As a city council member representing Tualatin, Oregon (pop. ~27,000), I focus on government neutrality, fiscal responsibility, and protecting personal freedoms. I voted against recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility because I believe in the biological distinction between males and females and that local governments should not promote social ideologies. My vote was not against individuals but against government overreach into personal beliefs.
Tualatin is a diverse community (74% White, 18% Hispanic or Latino, 5% Asian, 1% Black, 1% Native American, 5% multiracial [U.S. Census Bureau]). Our government should serve all residents equally, focusing on public safety, infrastructure, and economic growth—not endorsing ideological movements that divide.
This principle extends beyond local government and into our public education system. I have seen firsthand how ideological shifts have led many parents to withdraw their children from public schools in favor of homeschooling, private institutions, or trade programs. The proof is in the numbers—public school enrollment is declining while alternative education models are seeing significant growth. I, too, withdrew my children from the Tigard-Tualatin School District to homeschool—a choice made after witnessing the system prioritize ideology over academics. Since 2017, public school enrollment has declined by 1,100 students, and kindergarten enrollment is projected to drop from 900 to 700 students.
As a three-term Budget Committee Member for the Tigard-Tualatin School District, I had a front-row seat to these changes. In my final term as Vice Chair, I voted against the 2024-2025 budget because instead of cutting ideological programs, the district laid off 45 licensed FTE teachers, 15 classified staff, and 2 district administrators. This misplaced priority, favoring ideology over teachers, drives families out of public schools.
My voting record on the Tualatin City Council follows the same principles:
I voted against Tualatin’s Climate Action Plan because I believe climate efforts should be addressed locally, rather than dictated by a federal bureaucracy detached from our city’s needs. A strong tree-planting program, water credits for irrigation conservation, and incentives for responsible environmental practices are better solutions tailored to our community than one-size-fits-all policies from federal mandates.
I voted against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, also known as the IDEA Committee, because as a minority, I believe in earning my place based on merit, not racial quotas. True inclusion comes from equal opportunity, not mandated classifications that divide rather than unify.
I voted against highly sexualized books in public libraries targeted at elementary-aged children. If children aged 5-10 seek such content, their parents—not public institutions—should guide them. Families, not the government, should decide what is appropriate for young readers.
I consistently vote against tax and utility increases to ease financial burdens on residents. Instead of raising costs for families, we should focus on fiscal responsibility and prioritizing essential services.
My guiding principle is simple: the government should stay focused on essential services, not impose ideological or financial burdens on the people it serves. My votes aren’t against individuals but against government interference in personal beliefs.
Tualatin should be a place where all individuals live freely without government-imposed ideology. I will continue to advocate for a city government that prioritizes neutrality, fiscal responsibility, and essential services, the foundation of a strong and united community.
(The views expressed here are my own personal opinions and not those of the City of Tualatin or any other member of the Tualatin City Council.)
