Politics Isn’t My Thing, But Community Is

I’ll be honest: I don’t really like politics. Especially these days, it often feels more focused on party loyalty than on solving real problems. That’s just not how I approach things. I care less about political ideology and more about what gets results for the people who live here.

I don’t fit neatly into a political category. I’m not running to represent a party. I’m running to represent people. I look for practical solutions, and I try to lead with empathy and compassion. Depending on the issue, that might look more conservative or more progressive, but what matters to me is doing what works for our community. Every decision I make starts with one question: What’s the right thing for Aberdeen?

I’ve heard from a lot of folks that our City Council can feel politically divided. And yes, sometimes that shows. But I’ve also seen us work together in ways that make me hopeful. At a recent budget meeting, we all came to the table with a shared concern for Aberdeen’s future. We didn’t agree on everything, but we listened to each other and had a productive conversation. That kind of collaboration reminds me why this work matters. It shows what’s possible when we put community ahead of politics.

My involvement in city issues didn’t start with a campaign or a political goal. It started with a committee meeting. I joined the Downtown Aberdeen Association’s Design and Economic Vitality Committee because I wanted to help improve our downtown. The more involved I got, the more I saw how many challenges we were facing, and how much possibility there was too. When I learned about a vacant seat on the Council, it felt like a natural next step. I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines when I knew I could help.

Having twelve council members, like we do in Aberdeen, makes it harder to steer the ship. With that many voices, it can be difficult to stay focused, especially when political motivations get in the way, but I think we’re starting to move past some of that. I see more openness to working together, and I want to help build on that progress. I want us to keep choosing cooperation over conflict, and solutions over soundbites.

A recent highlight for me was participating in a series of town hall meetings. Council members met with residents in each ward to share a little about ourselves and answer questions. We didn’t bring prepared speeches or polished talking points. We just showed up, listened, and had real conversations. People asked smart, thoughtful questions. They shared concerns about things like infrastructure, public safety, housing, and the future of downtown. Those conversations were honest and sometimes challenging, but they were also incredibly valuable. I hope we keep having those kinds of direct, local conversations. They ground us in what really matters and remind us who we’re here to serve.

In my professional life, I’ve spent over 25 years in administrative operations. I’ve worked with budgets, projects, grants, contracts, and legal compliance. I’ve worked on projects with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines. I’ve seen how quickly costs can get out of hand, and how important it is to stay focused and communicate clearly. I know that grants come with strings attached, and that using public funds wisely requires constant attention and care. And I know that "I don't know" is never the end of the road. It just means it’s time to do the work, ask the right questions, and find the answer. That’s the kind of work I know how to do. It’s the kind of work I’ve done my whole career.

So no, politics isn’t really my thing. But community is. Aberdeen is. That’s why I’m running. That’s what I believe in. And I’ll keep showing up for the people who call this place home.