2022 Candidate Survey

Describe your personal experience with skateboarding.

I am not and have not ever been a skateboarder. I knew friends that skateboarded growing up, and my daughter and her friends did as well. I know a few now, but will admit that skateboarding is not normally a part of my day-to-day conversation with them. My general perception is of a fun, healthy (when helmeted), good activity and short-distance transportation option. It’s also something I associate with youth, although I know that many adults skateboard as well.

Can you do a kick flip?

No

Do the communities you would represent have quality, accessible, visible skateboarding spaces?

Our communities do have good, high-quality, accessible, and visible skateboarding spaces, yes. I know there is more to do nationally, but in terms of access the neighborhoods I represent do have some good options.

Do you see the connection between skateboarding and social, racial, gender, and economic equity? If so, please share a few thoughts.

I see it, but can’t say that I have thought enough about it. I’d love to learn and talk more. It does feel like a relatively low-barrier opportunity for exercise, social interaction, transportation, fun, etc. Not one I’ve personally had a lot of experience with but one that I’d like to make sure the folks I represent have fair and safe access too.

How will you support youth and community health with new ideas and infrastructure?

I’d love to talk more about this. The model we use as a state has always been to work to provide more resources to local communities and look for them to decide how to spend them. But perhaps there are ways to lift up skating as a smart investment and boost the perception of it so more localities make that choice.

Will you support fully funding the Minnesota Skate Park Grant Program (SF2502/HF2876) in the 2023 Legislative session and beyond?

I’d love to have a better understanding of what “fully funding” would look like, but, as noted above, I definitely support efforts like this, and would vote to fund efforts like this, to expand access, and help communities see the value in considering investments in skateboarding as an investment in their youth.