Bio

Four years ago in 2012 I ran to represent my ward on the Mankato City Council... and I won. I had run in 2008 as a very young man who had
an interest in his city, civics, and politics, and was frustrated with the direction he saw his hometown going. Learning everything about running a campaign from scratch, I ended up narrowly losing. I didn't plan on venturing back into local government again, but based on strong encouragement to run and no other challenges to the incumbent, I filed in 2012 and ended up reversing the results of 2008. It has been my humble honor and pleasure to have served on the council for the last four years.


A Mankato native, I have lived here my entire life (other than a college year stint in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota). I spent my childhood growing up on the north side of town in the Tourtelloute neighborhood, and I have also lived in the Mankato township as well as several rental homes in the downtown area. I was fortunate to become a homeowner in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in 2007 where I have lived since.

I graduated from East High in 2001, and Minnesota State Mankato in 2006 with a Bachelors in Anthropology and a minor in Creative Writing. I work full time at online retailer FUN.com in North Mankato, where I have been employed as a web copywriter since 2013. Prior to that, I worked as a manager and delivery person for local companies like Gary's Pizza, Erberts and Gerberts, and Geeks2U. I feel very lucky everyday to have a rewarding career for a local upstart company, and that I have been able to serve the public as an elected councilmember, which I treat as an additional part time job.

Unmarried, I live alone, not couting my adopted pointer-mix Pepperjack. My parents and two younger brothers still all live in the area, and it is tremendous having my family close as a support system. I don't know whether I will spend the rest of my days in Mankato, but the roots of my upbringing in my area and the roots that I have established as a young adult are very deep.

I hope for the opportunity to serve and help shape the community that has shaped me so much for another 4 years, so that we can build a resilient and future forward city that will be a great place to live, lifelong, for the children who are growing up here today. I believe so much in this city, this region, and the people who call Mankato home. I think that by working together, we can improve our city for the residents who are here today, and for the generations of residents yet to come.

#TeamMankato