PRIORITIES
Affordable Housing
Issaquah has the most expensive rents across King County. This is a significant challenge for the 10,000 people who work in the city but cannot afford to live here, as well as longtime residents struggling or priced out of their homes. Whether it is a grandparents’ inability to downsize or a young person priced out of their hometown, the cost of living is a crisis we must address.
On Council I’ve been a strong advocate for affordable housing, from my support of a future Transit-Oriented Development project with 155 affordable units, to our rewrite of the land use code to spur lower cost development.
As Mayor, I will:
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Push for developers to prioritize affordable and workforce housing in new projects.
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Work to streamline permitting, a key cost driving up the cost of housing.
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Advocate for increased funding for regional and city-led housing programs, especially those supporting low-income families and seniors.
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Support middle housing to create vibrant neighborhoods and housing choices.
Climate & Transit
As a steward of Issaquah’s natural beauty, I am deeply committed to combating climate change while fostering sustainable growth. We have to protect the environment and improve eco-friendly connectivity, which will benefit residents, businesses, and the broader region.
I’ve been working in collaboration to implement the Issaquah Climate Action Plan, create the Transportation Advisory Board, champion budget investments in street and sidewalk maintenance, and support public transit, including the MetroFlex program.
As Mayor, I will:
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Promote sustainable building practices through incentives for energy-efficient developments and walkable neighborhoods.
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Expand green space preservation initiatives to balance urban growth with environmental protection.
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Bolster smart growth policies that reduce traffic congestion while enhancing public transit options and prioritizing local residents.
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Explore funding opportunities to connect Issaquah’s neighborhoods with safe, accessible pathways for walking and biking.
Public Safety
Issaquah residents must not only be safe, but feel safe too. Like other cities regionally and nationally, we saw an increase in property crimes over the last several years, but I’m proud of the work we did to improve law enforcement, reduce crime, and address root causes.
I’ve worked in collaboration to re-grow our police department and focus on full staffing for officers, dispatchers, and jail staff, growing our Human Services department, including 2 Behavioral Health Coordinators who respond to crisis situations, and supporting our Community Court program to combat the "revolving door" on the criminal justice system.
As Mayor, I will:
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Expand community policing initiatives to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and residents.
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Advocate for increased funding for first responders, including mental health professionals and social workers to bolster crisis response.
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Prioritize emergency preparedness to ensure our community is ready for disasters and can rebound quickly.
Small Businesses
As a small business owner myself, I know the difficulties of running a business and I understand they are the backbone of Issaquah’s local economy. I am committed to continuing to build a vibrant business environment where local entrepreneurs can succeed.
On Council I have advocated for fiscal responsibility with a balanced budget that addresses community needs, streamline permitting processes that help small businesses open and expand more efficiently, and support COVID-19 recovery initiatives, including grants and resources for struggling businesses.
As Mayor, I will:
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Partner with the Chamber of Commerce to provide new resources for local business owners, including training and funding opportunities.
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Partner with the Downtown Issaquah Association to revitalize downtown Issaquah with investments in infrastructure, events, and tourism to drive foot traffic.
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Champion policies that foster economic diversification while preserving Issaquah’s unique character.
