A Responsible Future for Des Moines

Des Moines faces serious challenges. To solve them, we must recognize that growth is not just inevitable—it’s necessary. Our path forward depends on strategic redevelopment, livable neighborhoods, and a City Council that earns public trust. That future demands new leadership with a clear-eyed view of where we've been—and a practical plan for where we're going.

For years, every campaign has promised to revitalize our downtown, yet that goal has remained elusive. A vibrant downtown is crucial—but it can’t grow under the unrealistic expectation that it must carry the city’s entire financial future.

Real progress requires a broader, more intentional approach. For most of its history, Des Moines has been shaped more by outside forces than by a consistent plan of its own. It began when the railroad connecting Seattle and Tacoma chose the flat, easy grade of the Kent Valley over the coastal “High Line.” It continued when I-5 was routed around us, turning our city into a place to be bypassed. And today, that same pattern continues—driven by the biggest external force of all: the constant environmental, noise, and traffic pressures of Sea-Tac Airport. Compounding this, decades of annexations created patchworks that never fully integrated. The result: a city still struggling to chart its own course.

For too long, the Pacific Highway corridor has been seen as a place to be avoided; I see it as a key opportunity for transformative change.

With the new light rail station as a catalyst, we have a chance to turn the Pacific Highway corridor into a hub for hotels, restaurants, and mixed-use development. We can’t afford to miss that opportunity. It's not the only project we need, but it is one that's capable of generating the kind of sustained revenue we need to finally break the cycle of crisis budgeting.

By reinvesting across our city, we can bring life back to neglected areas, strengthen small businesses, and create spaces where neighbors come together—growing with intention and built to last. When we broaden where and how we grow, we can deliver results that reach every resident—from stronger services to a more connected city.

This broader vision doesn’t just look good on paper—it delivers real impact, in two transformative ways.

First, it is one of our most effective public safety tools. True leadership begins by taking responsibility for our own front door. This approach addresses persistent challenges along our fragmented border by transforming our side into a vibrant, active gateway. When we replace overlooked areas with thriving ones—not just on Pacific Highway, but in long-overlooked or underserved areas throughout the city—we not only lead by example; we make it easier for our police to keep our neighborhoods safe.

Second, it lifts the burden from our downtown and marina of having to become the sole driver of the city's economic future. Unburdened, they can grow into what they’re truly meant to be: a walkable, welcoming center of culture, commerce, and connection. With the right focus, our waterfront can finally flourish—anchored by local businesses, a grocery store, and welcoming public spaces. Picture a waterfront alive in the evenings—filled with live music, bustling restaurants, and neighbors gathering by the water. That’s the Des Moines we all want—and the one we can build together, reviving the true spirit of the Waterland City.

Because everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and proud of where they live.

A vibrant downtown doesn’t grow in a vacuum; it blossoms from the strength of the neighborhoods around it. That’s why I’m committed to ensuring every neighborhood, from the waterfront to the interstate, is a place where families feel safe and proud to live.

That begins with public safety. The failure of the recent Levy Lid Lift wasn’t a rejection of our police officers—it was a rejection of a flawed process from a government that had lost the public’s trust. I won’t accept a future where officers only respond to emergencies. I believe residents are willing to support critical public safety funding—but only as part of a credible, long-term plan.

My approach begins with efficiency: reclaiming neglected areas through strategic partnerships—with law enforcement, service providers, and local businesses. These efforts, including along Pacific Highway, help free up existing police resources to serve the rest of the city more effectively. Over the long term, we must rebuild trust. Only then can we grow the structural revenue needed to fully fund the public safety services our city deserves. That’s how we build a city where traffic flows safely, parks feel cared for, and daily life works the way it should.

Of course, a livable city also depends on how we respond to the environmental pressures that affect our quality of life—especially from Sea-Tac Airport. Let’s be honest: we all knew Sea-Tac was here when we moved here—but its growth has outpaced its accountability. The noise, pollution, and traffic have become an unacceptable burden. Our response must match the scale of the problem. For too long, our city has had a voice but no power. I will be a strong advocate for a unified regional strategy to demand real mitigation and hold the Port of Seattle accountable. While we work to build that regional strength, I will also support practical steps like requiring effective sound insulation in new construction to protect our residents. No one should have to sacrifice peace, health, or safety just to live in the city they love. That’s why I’ll fight for solutions that protect residents now—and secure a healthier future for Des Moines.

Trust is built through steady leadership, fiscal responsibility, and how we treat each other.

Trust is the foundation for solving any challenge—and that starts with honest, long-term financial planning that finally breaks our cycle of crisis budgeting. It takes candor, not half-measures. Competence, not spin. And above all, genuine respect for the voters.

Our fiscal strategy must be broad-based: rooted in strategic redevelopment and grounded in public confidence earned through clarity, consistency, and follow-through.

That honest conversation must be led by a council grounded in good governance. I will help rebalance the council into a body of independent voices serving the public—not factional allegiances, performative conflict, or political score-settling. We need a new culture of collaboration that values listening over lecturing and makes no room for domineering behavior.

A council that respects itself can finally show respect for the public. That means engaging residents early, not just in a token comment period before a final vote. It also means continuing to reform our advisory boards so they reflect the community as it is—not just as it was.

But process isn’t enough—it must be driven by principle. My commitment is simple: I will lead with integrity, govern with humility, and always treat this role as an act of public service. If we lead this way, we will earn trust and unlock the passion our residents are ready to offer. That energy—too often overlooked—is our city’s greatest resource. When we tap into it, Des Moines will stop talking about potential—and start living up to it.

A Final Word

This campaign is not about me. It's about all of us who believe in Des Moines and understand that sound judgment, mutual respect, and responsible stewardship are the cornerstones of an accountable and decisive city government. Because when we respect each other, we build more than trust—we build the kind of city we're all proud to call home.

Your support is essential. Your vote is crucial.

"There is no place for personal slander or petty tactics in this campaign. I will not engage in them, and I unequivocally condemn them, no matter the source. My focus will remain on the issues that affect our residents, and I expect anyone supporting my campaign to share that commitment to respectful, solutions-oriented dialogue."