Four candidates are running for the Ramsey County Board District 7 seat in November’s election.

General information about the Nov. 5 election is online at twincities.com/news/politics/elections. It will have a full voters guide with candidates for Ramsey, Dakota and Washington county races online this month. To find out where to vote, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online polling place finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.

Kevin “KB” Berglund

(Candidate information not available)

Kelly Miller

Kelly Miller is one of four candidates for the District 7 seat on the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 13, 2024 primary election. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 36

What would your top priorities be if elected? My priorities if elected are: Strengthening Social Services: By enhancing service delivery, we can better support vulnerable populations. By increasing affordable housing options, we can prevent homelessness, and support programs that help residents stay in their homes, and initiatives that work for all residents at any stage of life. Environmental Sustainability: I believe in planning seven generations ahead and protecting our environment is not just a moral obligation but an urgent necessity. I will advocate for bold, forward-thinking policies aligned with the county’s Climate Equity Action Plan. Community Prosperity: I will work to attract and retain business, support local entrepreneurs, and invest in workforce development. By fostering a strong, diverse economy, we can create jobs, support local businesses, and improve the quality of life for all residents.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I am uniquely qualified to run for Ramsey County Commissioner because of my experience in community leadership, nonprofit management, and firsthand involvement in advocating for equity and sustainability. As the Director of the Department of Indian Work at Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul, I’ve developed programs that address critical community needs like food security, COVID-19 response, and economic mobility, while also managing budgets and overseeing staff to ensure these initiatives are effective and sustainable. My firsthand experience managing complex budgets and programs has given me a deep understanding of how to allocate resources responsibly while maximizing impact. I’ve also been an advocate for environmental sustainability, community services, and economic prosperity—key priorities for our district. With the endorsements of labor organizations, environmental groups, and public officials, I’ve earned the trust of our community. My track record of leading with integrity, fostering partnerships, and delivering results makes me well-prepared to serve as Ramsey County Commissioner.

What do you think is the primary role of government? I think the primary role of government is to serve the people by ensuring the well-being, safety, and prosperity of the community. It involves providing essential services such as public safety, education, healthcare, and infrastructure while promoting fairness, equity, and opportunity for all residents. Government should also protect the environment, foster economic growth, and create policies that uplift underserved populations, ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive. At the local level, like in Ramsey County, it’s about being responsive to the specific needs of the community and making decisions that benefit the collective good.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? When I encounter viewpoints that differ from my own, I start by listening without judgment, seeking to understand the reasons behind the other person’s perspective. I ask questions to clarify their concerns and experiences and reflect on how their views may be shaped by different circumstances or backgrounds. I also strive to remain open-minded, recognizing that I don’t have all the answers and that others may offer valuable insights. By fostering respectful, honest discussions, I can find common ground and, often, learn something new. Even when agreement isn’t possible, I believe in the importance of maintaining mutual respect and continuing to engage in constructive conversation. This approach allows me to grow, adapt, and better serve the community by incorporating diverse perspectives into decision-making.

Website or contact information:  www.votekellymiller.com 

Sarah K. Yang

Sarah K. Yang is one of four candidates for the District 7 seat on the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 13, 2024 primary election. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 30

What would your top priorities be if elected? Housing Stability and Affordable Housing Access: One of my top priorities is housing stability, as it determines community and individual well-being. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including expanding affordable housing options, supporting homelessness prevention initiatives, providing county-based social worker support for unhoused populations, and creating viable pathways to homeownership. With recent state budget surpluses, including the extra $70 million in state revenue for 2024 not predicted in previous models, Minnesota’s legislature and local representatives have no excuse not to invest in families through the most effective means we have available: safe and stable housing. Community Economic Development: Supporting small businesses and investing in community development programs is not just about economics; it’s about building resilient and close-knit communities. Small businesses are integral to the fabric of our neighborhoods, contributing to our community’s unique character and identity. I believe in harnessing the power of local initiatives, collaborating with stakeholders, and implementing policies that empower our entrepreneurs to build and sustain their future. Furthermore, it is vital to invest in organizations and businesses that support youth development. As the daughter of Hmong refugees, I am grateful for the youth programs which bolstered my confidence and propelled me to become the first in my family of eight to graduate from college. By supporting our small businesses and expanding community development programs, we can ensure our neighborhoods flourish with opportunities reaching every corner of our vibrant and diverse community. Climate Justice: 2024’s warm winter and intensely rainy summer has made us ever more aware of the impacts that corporate and governmental actions have had on our world’s climate. Ramsey County has fallen behind Hennepin County in carbon-reduction and waste mitigation programming and incentives. As County Commissioner, another one of my top priorities is climate impact reduction and material reuse programming, both at the residential and commercial levels. I plan to join the Minnesota Chapter of the Carbon Leadership Forum to provide up-to-date science to my constituents and colleagues. Beyond the global impact of climate change, I will look locally at the issues of environmental justice that go hand-in-hand with neighborhood air, water, and noise pollution. Under my leadership, Ramsey County programs will look to state and federal funding opportunities from the Pollution Control Agency, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, and the Environmental Protection Agency. I will work to reduce harmful demolition and industrial waste, and I will prioritize the protection of everyone, including our low income and marginalized communities who are hardest hit by climate change, from unfair environmental impacts.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I am the proud daughter of Hmong refugees, a community and family caregiver, and an advocate for education access. I am a first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth Studies and a Master’s Degree in Youth Development Leadership. I am passionate about championing the needs and rights of people in my district and providing vision and financial oversight for Ramsey County. I work for the University of Minnesota’s TRIO Upward Bound Program, a federally-funded college access program which serves low-income and at-risk youth. In my job, I manage the TRIO Upward Bound tutoring program, student success tracking, and bi-annual enrichment events. My professional roles at TRIO have been heavily influenced by my own involvement in the program during high school. My previous public service includes time in AmeriCorps with the National Civilian Community Corps and Public Allies. Also, I am proud to have been involved in politics for over eight years. I served as a former organizer in the MNDFL’s Coordinated Field Team where I worked collectively in a team to Get Out The Vote for elected leaders such as Governor Tim Walz, former Ramsey County Commissioner Trista Martinson, and Attorney General Keith Ellison, just to name a few. I also served as an organizer for Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong’s victorious campaign in 2022 and organizer and campaign manager for Saint Paul Councilmember Nelsie Yang’s historic wins in 2019 and 2023, respectively. My professional, political, and lived experiences as a North Saint Paul resident and public servant will make me an effective Ramsey County Commissioner.

What do you think is the primary role of government? I believe that the role of government is to protect the rights of people as defined by our state and federal constitutions and to uphold a system of checks and balances where elected representatives of the public’s voice can work alongside subject matter experts to provide our necessary social services. We are incredibly lucky to live in a place where our societal ideal is to see voters’ priorities reflected in the work done by elected officials. As Ramsey County Commissioner, I will work diligently to ensure that my neighbors in District 7 will benefit equitably from governmental services and will help shape the priorities of Ramsey County.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I believe wholeheartedly that everyone approaches social and economic problems with the best of intentions. We are shaped by our experiences, which establish our biases, our frameworks for understanding, and our ability to problem-solve. With this belief, it is easy to enter a conversation on an emotional or divisive topic with an open mind. I know that the priorities that I have for Ramsey County stem from my background growing up in public housing and working as a public servant, and I am confident and empathic enough to have productive conversations with those who have other priorities, while championing my own. I approach each conversation as an opportunity to both teach and learn with my constituents, colleagues, staff, and everyone I meet along the way. I plan to host monthly office hours once I am elected, where I expect to meet with residents of District 7 who agree and disagree with me. I am excited at the opportunity to speak with everyone, hear about their lives and experiences, and incorporate all of this feedback into my work as County Commissioner.

Website or contact information: www.votesarahyang.com

Michelle Yener

(Candidate information not available)

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