WHY I'M LIKE THIS
- I am like this because I have spent a lifetime being told how I should speak, what I should believe, to which groups I should belong, and to whom I should defer.
- Serious attempts have been made at conforming: at least once, and in some cases dozens of times. Nevertheless, my vocabulary remains colorful, I will not wear a pantsuit, and I prefer to lead than to follow.
- I am like this because I would rather work with people than pick a team.
We all want safe roads, clean water, and strong communities. We don’t have to agree on everything else to work together on those things. - I am like this because 20% of voters shouldn’t be choosing the leadership for 100% of the County simply because there is no other choice.
I’m running to represent 100% of McDonald County. - I AM LIKE THIS BECAUSE I LIKE CHOICES – AND I’M BETTING YOU DO, TOO.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Eight years of expertise in Public Assistance Disaster Recovery, balancing impactful community infrastructure reimbursement with rigorous fiscal oversight of taxpayer dollars.
- Four years maintaining accountability for multiple $200M+ Â projects while leading a cross-functional team of 20+ individuals.
- Three years managing complex formulation and financial reporting for the recovery of emergency power restoration costs, successfully coordinating with over 15 rural electrical cooperatives and municipal electric utilities simultaneously.
- A dedicated leader with 25+ years of diverse professional experience centered on a commitment to service and community values.
- A lifetime commitment to leaving our community better than we found it by inspiring collective action, uniting neighbors, and achieving meaningful, lasting progress.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT?
- For too many election cycles, the leadership of McDonald County has been decided entirely in the primary election, effectively leaving a vast number of residents without a meaningful voice in November.
- When only one party competes, public offices are won by default. In fact, during this cycle, a mere 20% of voters would have determined our next Presiding Commissioner if the status quo went unchallenged.
- This dynamic creates an illusion of complete political uniformity, causing many neighbors to feel that their votes simply do not matter.
- I spent six months carefully weighing this decision, fully aware of the challenges. However, I also know that if we want a more accountable and representative local government, someone has to step up and initiate that change.
- I am running to offer an authentic choice to every voter in McDonald County—especially to those who have stopped participating because they feel left out of the process.
- Your voice and your vote are powerful.
Together, we can build a county government that truly serves all of its people.
ARE YOU REALLY JUST A DEMOCRAT?
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No—I am a true Independent, both in name and in practice.
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My political background reflects a lifetime of independent thinking: I was raised in a traditional Republican household, cast my very first legal vote for Ross Perot, and have crossed party lines to vote for both Republicans and Democrats in almost every election since.
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While I hold my own personal convictions, I firmly believe local governance should transcend national partisan divides. An elected representative’s sole duty is to serve the entire constituency, free from the influence of corporate donors or party platforms.
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For me, the priority is clear: what is best for the families of McDonald County will always guide my decisions, completely independent of any political party.
WILL YOUR NAME APPEAR ON THE BALLOT?
- Yes!
My name will officially be printed on the ballot, marking a double historic first for McDonald County: the first independent candidate and first woman on the ballot for Presiding Commissioner. - Achieving ballot access required a formal petition process.
Thanks to a dedicated network of volunteers and neighbors, we successfully gathered more than enough signatures from local registered voters, which were formally audited and qualified by the County Clerk. - This accomplishment belongs to the people of McDonald County. It proves there is a powerful collective drive to ensure our local leadership remains independent, accountable, and focused entirely on our community rather than outside corporate influence.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING? DON'T YOU HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO?
- I have plenty of ways I could spend my time—but the future of McDonald County is important to me.
As a lifelong resident who chose to stay here, invest here, and independently buy property, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to protect our home. - Right now, our local resources are being exploited at the expense of our taxpayer dollars and our peace of mind. McDonald County is a beautiful community; it is not a dump site, nor is it a playground for outside interests to use and discard as they please.
- We have an obligation to safeguard this county for ourselves and for the generations to whom we will one day pass the torch of stewardship.
- I am running because standing up for our home is the absolute best use of my time, energy, and experience in this moment.
WHAT, YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS? YOU REALLY NEED ANOTHER ONE?
- This is a question I’ve heard from close friends and family—okay, really just my dad—and while it is true life keeps all of us busy, the future of McDonald County cannot wait until it is perfectly convenient for us to do the right thing.
- I was raised with a clear set of principles: to stand up for what is right, to value real issues over political parties, and to believe that we should always work to leave things better than we found them.
- Running for office isn’t about looking for another problem to solve; it is about fulfilling a deep responsibility to the community that raised me. I have never been one to stay silent when there is important work to be done, and I am ready to channel my energy, voice, and determination into serving the greater good of our county.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON BIKE RACES IN MCDONALD COUNTY?
- So much to unpack here but bottom line – well organized events are great and poorly organized events are a nightmare. All event organizers are not created equally and the affected communities deserve to be heard. While there likely isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to the problems stemming from the bike races, I do believe the residents of McDonald County take precedence over outside interests and corporate profit.
- Recreational road and trail biking are very different activities than corporate sponsored events inconveniencing our residents, at best and jeopardizing their safety and way of life, at worst.
- What folks on the east side have experienced the past couple of years might be very different than what the central and west sides might experience today. Police reports are available – read them for yourselves and you will see why folks are speaking up and refusing to stop pushing back – it is not solely a resistance to change and progress.
- Talk to people – reach out to those who are voicing their concerns and while it may not effect you directly at this time please try to see things from their point of view and seek to protect their interests, if asked – you never know when you might need their support preventing a data center popping up in your backyard.
- In this 250th year as The United States of America, what could possibly be more patriotic than joining with your neighbors to push back against a threat to a peaceful lifestyle many have sacrificed to enjoy and maintain?
Listen, hear, and take action when compelled to do so.
I certainly will.
CAN I GET A YARD SIGN?
- We are doing things a bit differently for this campaign by prioritizing strategic visibility over sheer quantity. Instead of distributing hundreds of standard, smaller yard signs, our goal is to place larger, high-impact signs in high-traffic areas throughout the county to maximize our message.
- If you would like to support the campaign and own or have legal permission to use a high-visibility property, crossroads, or roadside space, we would love to partner with you! Please reach out to our team, and we will gladly coordinate the delivery and installation of a campaign sign.
HOW ELSE CAN I SUPPORT?
- We have a long way to go and short time to get there…to do what they say can’t be done, we’re going to need VOTES!
- Get the word out: tell your neighbors about what I’m up to!
- Encourage five non-voters to register – the deadline for registering is October 7th to vote in the November 3rd election.
- Locate five inactive voters near you and encourage them to vote Independent this year – reach out and I will find folks for you to connect with!
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VOTE!
CAN I PET YOUR DOG?
- The Dude still abides and lives to ride. While he is not always with me, should you see him out and about on the campaign trail by all means give him some loves!
- Watch out for that tail though – it sure packs a wallop.
