Running for Chair
Yesterday, I let my colleagues know that I would be offering myself as a nominee for the Chair position at our election in January 2026.
Although it may sound unusual for me to say this as the only Democrat on an otherwise all-Republican board, there are a few reasons why I beleive this idea makes sense:
As the lone Democrat, I have no built-in base of support - much less a Board majority — which means anything I do would necessarily involve all the commissioners. Listening, communicating, and collaborating would be the only way forward.
Having served on the Board through several different configurations and challenges, I believe those experiences give me a solid foundation to help navigate the Board’s next chapter together.
Over that time, I hope I’ve demonstrated consistency, fairness, and practicality — focusing on solutions and evaluating ideas based on their merit and value to Ottawa County as a whole, rather than on politics. I’ve worked to collaborate across perspectives, and I would continue to do so as chair.
If elected chair, I would commit to:
An open agenda: Every commissioner should be able to bring forward ideas or items for discussion and Board consideration. It’s the Board’s responsibility — not the chair’s — to determine whether an idea has merit.
Strong communication: Weekly updates from the chair to keep everyone informed about upcoming agenda items, background materials, and ongoing discussions.
My goal as chair would be to ensure that we act in the interests of all residents by giving each member of this Board the greatest access to information, opportunity, and resources possible. Each commissioner was elected to represent their district and their constituents — and they should be fully empowered to do that work to the best of their ability.
If you are interested in the idea of myself as Chair, please let your commissioner know, who is your representative on the County Board.
