Minnesota elections 2022: Ramsey County Commission races

RAMSEY COUNTY BOARD RACES

DISTRICT 3

Trista MatasCastillo

• Age: 48

• What qualifies you to hold this position? I am a veteran, mother, volunteer, organizer and experienced advocate. I serve as the current chair of the Ramsey County Board and have dedicated my life to service of my community.
• What would your top priorities be if elected? My top priorities include investing in affordable housing to end our housing crisis and close our wealth gap; breaking cycles of gun violence through a proven public health approach; and investing in all abilities transportation to respond to climate change and increase community resilience.
• What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of government is to strengthen individual, family and community health, safety and well-being through mode fiscal accountability, transparency, and strategic investments.
• Website or contact: votetrista.org

David A. Singleton

• Age: 53

• What qualifies you to hold this position? I was born and and raised in St. Paul, Ramsey County and I know the dynamics. From the time I was a teenager I have served in public service. I was appointed to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office as an Explorer. I am serving as a Police Reserve Officer, and a Human Rights Commissioner and I have been a small business owner.
• What would your top priorities be if elected? 1. Public Safety Reform 2. Allocate additional funding for safer streets and neighborhoods 3. Reduce property taxes 4. Small business development 5. Government accountability
• What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of any government is public safety. If the public is not safe neighborhoods lose their values and citizens become victims of public health threats, and it’s a violation of their Constitutional rights.
• Website or contact: www.singleton4ramseycounty.org

DISTRICT 4

Rena Moran

• Age: 62

• What qualifies you to hold this position? I have been an advocate for Saint Paul and a leader in legislation. I served as the Chair of the Ways & Means and the Chair of Health &Human Services committees; have numerous awards for my achievements; I’m an advocate for housing assistance, loans for minority businesses, wage increases for workers, and advancing economic and equity priorities.
• What would your top priorities be if elected? My top priorities are supporting youth, families, housing, and economic development. The solutions we develop to eliminate racial disparities here will improve the wellbeing of all of our residents. Prioritizing BIPOC households will invest in the future of our community. We can achieve this through affordable housing and closing the wage gap.
• What do you think is the primary role of government? Government should see its purpose through improving the wellbeing of the most marginalized in order to improve the greater community. Today, this means confronting the structural disinvestment in our BIPOC populations as a mechanism to develop the community for all of Ramsey County.
• Website or contact: www.renamoran.org

Darryl Spence

• Age: 58

• What qualifies you to hold this position? I have been a leader in Ramsey County for over 25 years, addressing critical issues when needed. I became interested in representing District 4 when I became aware of the open seat. I possess the skills and know the issues relevant to this position. A fifty-two total vote count is not representative enough for a claim of endorsement.
• What would your top priorities be if elected? Control of spending within county government while also meeting the commitments of programs and services. Second, is public safety and the reducing of crime statistics within District 4 specifically and the county in general. Third, coordinating and decreasing the frequency and level of tax levy requested by the County, City and School District.
• What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of government is to represent and act upon the collective interests of the public. Establish rules, enact laws and maintain order for the common good of a civil society. Establish and/or implement programs, deliver services and provide information deemed necessary or required.
• Website or contact: 783 Fuller Avenue – St. Paul, MN 55104 – Email: pastorspence1@gmail.com

DISTRICT 5

Rafael Ortega

• Age: 70

• What qualifies you to hold this position? I have delivered transit, housing, better access to our services, and I have been responsive to my communities. I continue to work hard and be available and accessible. My work as a social worker and founder of Executive Director of CLUES also gives me a unique perspective to serve Ramsey County on the board.
• What would your top priorities be if elected? I will continue to: A) Improve our transit network, B) Build our ability to respond to crises like homelessness and food insecurity. C) Expand our tax base by developing Riversedge downtown and Rice Creek Commons in Arden Hills.
• What do you think is the primary role of government? Government’s primary role is to give people help when they need it and to provide basic services for everyone. This includes schools, public safety, parks, public health, transit and roads. We have also done more in recent years to address food security and homelessness.
• Website or contact: commissionerrafaelortega.wordpress.com

Bill Hosko

• Age: 59

• What qualifies you to hold this position? I’ve been a small business owner 32-years, a strong community proponent and political independent. I opposed our incumbent’s ‘honor-system’ payment Green Line LRT (now crime-plagued), oppose his plans for another ‘honor-system’ LRT – via downtown and West 7th, continual tax levy increases and his many pay-raises. Now 100K for a part-time job.
• What would your top priorities be if elected? Reversing: many years-long rising crime rates (and expectations people live with them), declining safety on public transit, needless tax levy increases, ending county-owned Union Depot’s millions in annual losses and dealing with county’s West Publishing site’s $20 million demolition debacle; they had no development contracts in place before hand.
• What do you think is the primary role of government? Under my leadership we can: keep people safer again, help those most-unfortunate become more self-determining again, provide safer public transit again, ensure county properties, roads and lands are well maintained, restore events (Taste of MN, Grand Old Days, Cinco De Mayo, July 4th Fireworks) that once brought us together and created good will.
• Website or contact: www.billhosko.org

DISTRICT 6

Mai Chong Xiong

• Age: 33

• What qualifies you to hold this position? I’m a mother, an Eastsider, and a public servant with 8 years of local government experience. My track record includes securing earned sick & safe time, $15 minimum wage, and tenant protections. My experience will allow me to hit the ground running on day one. As your DFL-endorsed candidate, I’m ready to bring real investments to the Eastside.
• What would your top priorities be if elected? I’m running because the Eastside deserves investments. My priorities are to secure investments so that we have enough affordable housing for everyone, investments in public safety so we have safe neighborhoods, ensure we take action on our climate plans, and investments to provide accessible and culturally relevant services for everyone.
• What do you think is the primary role of government? Government’s primary role is to serve people. Local government in particular plays a critical role in ensuring that the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of our democracy have the opportunity to succeed and thrive. That’s why I’m committed to ensuring our county delivers services that support our neighbors and are accessible to all of us.
• Website or contact: maichongxiong.org

Ying Vang-Pao

• Age: 56

• What qualifies you to hold this position? I have the experience, maturity, integrity, and record of trust to successfully do the job of commissioner. I am a seasoned financial professional, mother of a child with disabilities, and community volunteer. Commissioner decisions are complex, and require detailed problem solving with financial constraints, not political agendas or ideology.
• What would your top priorities be if elected? Resources to decrease crime. Improve access to government services. Transition toward government workforce reflecting community’s diversity. More affordable housing by focusing on “missing middle”– middle-class housing appropriate for urban areas. Increase public transit options and access. Provide educational, environmental and youth programming.
• What do you think is the primary role of government? Deliver most federal, state, and local government aid and services to residents, businesses, people with disabilities and mentally ill. To provide public safety, criminal justice, parks, transportation, affordable housing, elections, local taxation, public youth recreation, environmental programming, libraries, and adult technical education.
• Website or contact: www.yingvangpao.com