Washington County Commissioner
This page features direct responses to Woodbury Indivisible's questionnaire from the candidates running for Washington County Commissioner. Voters can use these unedited statements to compare candidate positions on key issues. Select a name below to jump straight to their specific questionnaire block.
District 2
Stan Karwoski (incumbent)
Federal Immigration Enforcement
What principles should guide Washington County's relationship with federal immigration enforcement agencies? Under what circumstances, if any, would you support agreements expanding local participation in federal immigration enforcement activities?
The role of immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and not a responsibility of local governments like counties and cities. I do not believe the county should be obstructing federal enforcement if it is being done legally, but we have no obligation to assist. The County, through our Sheriff’s Office, Attorney’s Office and Community Corrections Department, is tasked with keeping the public safe by enforcing state laws and local ordinances.
There are no circumstances I would support expanding local participation in federal immigration enforcement activities.
Surveillance & Civil Liberties
The county can fund technologies like license plate readers, drones, and AI-assisted surveillance tools. What standards should determine whether these are adopted, expanded, limited, or discontinued, and what safeguards should protect residents' privacy?
The first standard is that all decisions and discussions related to these types of tools should be done in the open at public meetings with full transparency for the public. Secondly, all efforts should be made to minimize the risk to residents’ privacy, and if not able to do that, then the decision should not be made to use these technologies. Drones can play a role in improved public safety response but should not be used for surveillance.
Sheriff Oversight
Commissioners oversee the Sheriff's Office through budgeting but not day-to-day operations. How should commissioners promote effective public safety while ensuring accountability and protecting civil liberties? Do you support independent oversight mechanisms for county law enforcement spending?
County Commissioners should build a solid working relationship with our Sheriff and the command staff. This allows us to provide input and oversight of the activities. In Washington County, the Sheriff has always been a key member of the leadership team, working closely with all departments to ensure effective public safety. The budget is used to set priorities and provide direction to the Sheriff.
I do not believe additional oversight is necessary in Washington County. Our County Administrator works closely with the Sheriff to ensure accountability and the wise use of all public dollars. That may not be the case in all jurisdictions.
Environmental & Water Stewardship
You'll appoint members to watershed organizations managing water quality and groundwater, and the county is also seeing proposals for resource-intensive development like data centers. What qualifications and priorities would guide your watershed appointments, and how should the county balance economic development with long-term water and environmental sustainability?
When interviewing watershed manager candidates, I look for individuals who are familiar with water resources and have a genuine interest in protecting our water and natural resources in general. They should be willing to listen to all viewpoints and the concerns of the residents and applicants that come before the watershed board. Economic development can be accomplished without significant degradation of the natural environment, and I support policies that provide for that balance. We also have the Land and Water Legacy Fund to sustain by protecting high-quality water and natural land acreage.
Geographic Equity & Investment
Washington County includes communities of different sizes, needs, and growth rates. How should leaders determine whether infrastructure investment, services, and representation continue to be distributed fairly across the county, and how should county finances be divided across competing priorities?
Investment decisions are made after significant thought, review, public input and studies that identify the need for the investment. The county’s five-year capital plan, our pavement condition index and building condition index, our comprehensive plan, our groundwater plan, the residential survey, city and township input, advisory commissions and a robust community engagement process on all projects guide our decisions and work. Investments have been made throughout the county and will continue to be made as the need for these investments is identified and projects planned.
Housing & Affordability
As housing costs rise across the county, what role should county government play in expanding affordable housing options, including in communities that may resist new development?
Our county plays a significant role in expanding affordable housing. We use the county’s local affordable housing aid through the County Community Development Agency to add supply and build new units. Work with communities on designing and building units that meet affordable needs. Our county provides assistance in getting units built that are highly affordable.
Human Services & Public Health
Mental health challenges, substance use, and homelessness often intersect with emergency response, and counties are often the backstop when state or federal funding for services like food assistance, housing support, and behavioral health falls short. What responsibility does the county have to maintain these services, and what role should it play in improving outcomes?
The county should, and is, reviewing services to ensure access for all individuals in the county and that outcomes are similar regardless of a person’s circumstance. During my time on the board the county has been very active in addressing homelessness, providing food support when needed most, and improving how we address mental health, through the crisis response unit and our co-response social worker/law enforcement collaborative with many of the communities in the county and our Sheriff’s Office. County and all local governments play a key role in ensuring the health, safety and stability of its residents and clients.
Elections & Public Trust
What steps should Washington County take to protect election integrity and public confidence, especially as misinformation about elections spreads?
The county must complete all required lawful steps to ensure free and fair elections and talk about our processes and how we verify to ensure only eligible voters are casting ballots. Utilizing election judges to help share information with residents is a very good tool. County Board meeting presentations are also a good tool. We must counter misinformation by sharing the correct information.
Transparency & Public Access
Would you support expanding public access to county workshops, budget discussions, and other deliberative meetings?
The budget presentations are livestreamed and the materials shared on the county website. I am open to changes in the process that would improve the county board’s decision-making process and allow additional public input. All County Board meetings and workshops are open to the public and publicly posted.
Campaign Finance
Do you accept campaign contributions from sources other than individuals (e.g., PACs, corporations, party committees)? If so, from whom, and why?
I have accepted donations from local labor unions, in addition to individual contributions. I only accept contributions from those who share my views and commitment to public service, including the value of the work that county employees play in our success as an organization. Contributions offset some of my personal campaign costs.
Personal
What are you most passionate about, and why did you choose to run?
I am passionate about serving with honesty, integrity, and responding promptly to the residents I serve. I’m running for re-election because I believe I’m very effective serving our residents and communities.
District 5
Brian McCoy
Federal Immigration Enforcement
What principles should guide Washington County's relationship with federal immigration enforcement agencies? Under what circumstances, if any, would you support agreements expanding local participation in federal immigration enforcement activities?
Washington County’s relationship with federal immigration enforcement agencies must be guided by principles of community trust, constitutional protections, equal access to justice, and public safety for all residents. County law enforcement resources are best utilized addressing local public safety and building trust within our diverse communities. I do not support expanding local participation in federal civil immigration enforcement activities, such as 287(g) agreements or using local taxpayers’ money to perform duties that fall strictly under federal jurisdiction. Keeping local public safety operations focused on local needs ensures that all residents, regardless of legal status, feel safe reporting crimes and engaging with emergency services.
Surveillance & Civil Liberties
The county can fund technologies like license plate readers, drones, and AI-assisted surveillance tools. What standards should determine whether these are adopted, expanded, limited, or discontinued, and what safeguards should protect residents' privacy?
Adopting or expanding surveillance technologies such as license plate readers, drones, and AI-assisted tools must adhere to clear standards of public transparency, data privacy, necessity, and strict fiscal oversight. Any proposal to implement these technologies should require a formal public review and a clear demonstration that the technology serves a compelling public safety interest without infringing on constitutional rights. Safeguards must include strict data-retention limits, prohibition of data sharing with non-essential third parties, independent regular audits, and explicit prohibitions against using surveillance for unwarranted civil tracking. If a technology fails to demonstrate a clear safety benefit or poses unmitigated risks to residents' civil liberties, funding should be limited or discontinued.
Sheriff Oversight
Commissioners oversee the Sheriff's Office through budgeting but not day-to-day operations. How should commissioners promote effective public safety while ensuring accountability and protecting civil liberties? Do you support independent oversight mechanisms for county law enforcement spending?
As a commissioner, my primary mechanism for oversight is setting a responsible, transparent budget that aligns county spending with community values. I support promoting effective public safety by funding evidence-based programs, crisis intervention, and co-responder models that de-escalate conflicts and protect civil rights. I support independent oversight mechanisms for county law enforcement spending, including clear performance metrics, regular budget reviews, and transparent financial reporting to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently, equitably, and ethically.
Environmental & Water Stewardship
You'll appoint members to watershed organizations managing water quality and groundwater, and the county is also seeing proposals for resource-intensive development like data centers. What qualifications and priorities would guide your watershed appointments, and how should the county balance economic development with long-term water and environmental sustainability?
As someone who currently serves on the Washington County Board of Adjustment and Appeals and Planning Advisory Commission, and holds a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning, I prioritize data-driven, sustainable land-use planning. When appointing members to watershed organizations, I will look for demonstrated expertise in hydrology, environmental science, and sustainable development, alongside a proven commitment to community engagement and long-term water quality protection. For resource-intensive proposals like data centers, the county must require rigorous environmental impact assessments, strict limits on groundwater extraction, and energy-efficiency standards. Economic growth must never come at the expense of our drinking water, natural aquifers, or environmental health.
Geographic Equity & Investment
Washington County includes communities of different sizes, needs, and growth rates. How should leaders determine whether infrastructure investment, services, and representation continue to be distributed fairly across the county, and how should county finances be divided across competing priorities?
Washington County's diverse landscape—ranging from growing urban centers like Woodbury to rural communities—requires a balanced, data-informed approach to resource distribution. Drawing from my experience as Project Selection Coordinator at MnDOT, where I manage objective, data-driven project evaluation systems, I believe county investments should be guided by objective criteria including safety needs, infrastructure condition, demographic growth, and equitable service delivery. County finances should be allocated transparently, ensuring that rapidly growing areas receive infrastructure investments to support expansion while rural and historically underserved communities retain full access to essential county services.
Housing & Affordability
As housing costs rise across the county, what role should county government play in expanding affordable housing options, including in communities that may resist new development?
Housing affordability is one of the most pressing challenges facing Washington County. Drawing on my background in regional planning and local commission work, I believe the county must take an active role by leveraging local housing trust funds, utilizing state and federal grants, and partnering with non-profit housing developers. The county can incentivize mixed-income developments, facilitate transit-oriented housing, and assist local municipalities in updating zoning frameworks. To address resistance in communities, county leadership must foster transparent dialogue, present data on community needs, and highlight how workforce housing supports local economic vitality, teachers, first responders, and young families.
Human Services & Public Health
Mental health challenges, substance use, and homelessness often intersect with emergency response, and counties are often the backstop when state or federal funding for services like food assistance, housing support, and behavioral health falls short. What responsibility does the county have to maintain these services, and what role should it play in improving outcomes?
Counties serve as the essential safety net for residents, and maintaining human services is a fundamental responsibility of county government. When state or federal funding shortfalls occur, Washington County must prioritize essential behavioral health, housing support, and food assistance programs to prevent broader crisis costs. To improve outcomes, the county should expand multi-agency collaboration integrating mental health crisis teams, public health professionals, and social workers directly into community response strategies. Investing proactively in preventive human services reduces burdens on emergency rooms and local criminal justice systems while fostering healthier communities.
Elections & Public Trust
What steps should Washington County take to protect election integrity and public confidence, especially as misinformation about elections spreads?
Protecting election integrity and fostering public confidence requires complete administrative transparency, rigorous security protocols, and active voter education. Drawing on my background as an Election/Annexation Specialist and my civic work organizing voter education workshops with civil rights organizations, I believe the county should proactively combat misinformation by offering clear, accessible details on election processes, equipment testing, and chain-of-custody procedures. Washington County should continue investing in non-partisan poll worker training, robust cybersecurity, accessible voting options, and open post-election audits so every voter feels confident their vote is secure and counted accurately.
Transparency & Public Access
Would you support expanding public access to county workshops, budget discussions, and other deliberative meetings?
Yes, I fully support expanding public access to county workshops, budget discussions, and deliberative meetings. Public trust is built through open government. I advocate for livestreaming and archiving all county board workshops and budget sessions, providing accessible meeting materials well in advance, and hosting structured public listening sessions prior to major fiscal or policy decisions. Government is most effective when residents have meaningful, frictionless opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their daily lives.
Campaign Finance
Do you accept campaign contributions from sources other than individuals (e.g., PACs, corporations, party committees)? If so, from whom, and why?
My campaign is primarily powered by grassroots individual contributions from community members, working families, and local neighbors who share a vision for a stronger, more accountable Washington County. I do accept contributions from organized labor and aligned political action committees (PACs) that represent working people, civic progress, and community advocate groups. I do not accept contributions that create a conflict of interest or compromise my commitment to independent, transparent governance. Every dollar received is fully disclosed in public campaign finance reports to maintain complete accountability.
Personal
What are you most passionate about, and why did you choose to run?
I am passionate about building safe, equitable, and thriving communities where every resident has access to opportunity, reliable infrastructure, and a responsive local government. My career spans over ten years in public service, transportation planning, operations management, and civil rights advocacy, ranging from leading policy work with the ACLU and civic engagement efforts with local community organizations to serving as Project Selection Coordinator at MnDOT and as a commissioner on the Washington County Planning Advisory Commission and Board of Adjustment & Appeals.
I chose to run for Washington County Commissioner because our county is at a critical juncture. Managing rapid growth especially in areas like Woodbury requires experienced leadership, practical problem-solving, data-driven planning, and a deep commitment to equity, transparency, and sustainable development. I am running to put my professional expertise and passion for public service to work for the people of Washington County.
District 5
Simi Patnaik
Federal Immigration Enforcement
What principles should guide Washington County's relationship with federal immigration enforcement agencies? Under what circumstances, if any, would you support agreements expanding local participation in federal immigration enforcement activities?
Washington County should focus its law enforcement efforts on local public safety. Civil immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, not a county one, and diverting local staff, jail space, or sheriff's resources into federal immigration enforcement pulls capacity away from the services taxpayers are actually funding the county to provide.
I do not support expanding the county’s role in immigration enforcement. I believe the county should limit its cooperation with federal immigration authorities to what the law requires — for example, responding to valid judicial warrants.
Surveillance & Civil Liberties
The county can fund technologies like license plate readers, drones, and AI-assisted surveillance tools. What standards should determine whether these are adopted, expanded, limited, or discontinued, and what safeguards should protect residents' privacy?
Washington County does not use license plate readers like Flock cameras or AI-assisted surveillance tools. The Sheriff, not the county board, is responsible for overseeing the technology in the Sheriff’s Office and developing policies around technology usage. That said, if the cost were to exceed $175,000, the county board would need to approve the expenditure. I would expect at that time to see evidence that the tool is necessary and addresses a specific problem more effectively than existing tools.
Were the county to start using these technologies, I support strong oversight of and clear limits on data access, information sharing, and data storage. I would expect to receive updates on how the tools are enhancing public safety, and support frequent revisiting of how the information is being used and how it improves public safety outcomes.
I also expect that policies around these technologies would be developed in a manner transparent to the community at large, and that the policies would be frequently reconsidered as new information arises. Residents deserve to know and provide feedback on how these technologies are deployed and who has access to data.
Sheriff Oversight
Commissioners oversee the Sheriff's Office through budgeting but not day-to-day operations. How should commissioners promote effective public safety while ensuring accountability and protecting civil liberties? Do you support independent oversight mechanisms for county law enforcement spending?
The county commissioners oversee the sheriff’s budget. The board receives a detailed budget for the sheriff annually (this was presented on September 1). I expect to build a strong relationship with the new sheriff – a solid, collaborative, professional, positive working relationship between commissioners and the sheriff is necessary to ensure public safety and build community trust. As commissioner, I plan to exercise my budgetary authority by asking questions about expenditures and programs, relaying and following up on concerns from constituents, and ensuring that each expenditure benefits the community.
Environmental & Water Stewardship
You'll appoint members to watershed organizations managing water quality and groundwater, and the county is also seeing proposals for resource-intensive development like data centers. What qualifications and priorities would guide your watershed appointments, and how should the county balance economic development with long-term water and environmental sustainability?
The county does not have any zoning or planning authority, except for mining and shoreline in townships. Data centers are not allowed in mining or shoreline areas per county ordinances. Thus, data centers are not in the county’s purview – the zoning for these is at the municipal and township level. I would expect appointments to watershed districts to be in line with the county’s existing environmental plans, including but not limited to the 2050 Comp Plan, 2025-2035 Groundwater plan, and various Met Council and watershed district plans. I would also expect appointees to have a demonstrated passion for sustainable practices to improve water quality and for the environment overall.
Geographic Equity & Investment
Washington County includes communities of different sizes, needs, and growth rates. How should leaders determine whether infrastructure investment, services, and representation continue to be distributed fairly across the county, and how should county finances be divided across competing priorities?
Washington County districts are apportioned based on population, not geographic size, and as a result, their needs vary widely. District 5 is a very compact district, with all residents living a very short distance from districts 2, 3, and 4. Woodbury is currently split among districts 2, 4, and 5. I support a data-driven approach to infrastructure investment, taking into account many different pieces of information, including road or building conditions, traffic count changes, opportunities for partnership (shared costs and/or development plans), service gaps, partner timelines, staff capacity, and budget planning.
Infrastructure investments are difficult to equate across geographies – Stafford Library is many times larger than Wildwood Library, in line with the population area it serves. Service centers are currently in the county’s main population centers (Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, Forest Lake) but not every district has a service center – placing a second service center in Woodbury so that each county district has one would be a waste of taxpayer dollars. The Gold Line is in Woodbury but express buses are in other districts. The infrastructure improvements are outlined in the Capital Improvement Plan, approved each December for the next 5 years. Improvements slated for District 5 include road improvements on Valley Creek Rd, Bailey Ave, Radio Dr, and Manning Ave (a state highway; uses county funds); a new yard waste facility at the environmental center; the south shop (a public works facility that will store and maintain equipment needed in the southern half of the county); and the Stafford Library expansion.
Housing & Affordability
As housing costs rise across the county, what role should county government play in expanding affordable housing options, including in communities that may resist new development?
The county should continue to advocate at the legislature for appropriation of housing bonds. Each biennium, the legislature appropriates $100 million in housing bonds, which are quickly depleted by local governments as developers and cities leverage these to build more housing stock. I expect to work closely with the legislators representing District 5 to help bring this to fruition.
The county should continue to leverage Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) to expand and improve housing across the county. The Community Development Agency should continue to use its dollars creatively to help expand housing supply and ensure tax dollars are being spent wisely. The CDA should continue its down payment assistance, rental assistance, and home improvement loan programs. I am impressed to see the CDA’s focus on land banking to help keep land and development costs down, as well as bringing property management in-house so that county properties are more responsive to tenants’ needs and not spending money outsourcing management – leaving more money for housing aid.
Cities, not the county, have ultimate responsibility for development within their borders. If the development aligns with the municipality’s comprehensive plan, the development will go forward.
Human Services & Public Health
Mental health challenges, substance use, and homelessness often intersect with emergency response, and counties are often the backstop when state or federal funding for services like food assistance, housing support, and behavioral health falls short. What responsibility does the county have to maintain these services, and what role should it play in improving outcomes?
Mental health, substance use, and homelessness programs are not considered mandatory services by the state, and these are funded by the approximately 20% of the county budget focused on “core services” and by grants the county seeks out. Earlier in 2026, the county opened its first emergency housing facility, housing adults and providing wraparound services to tenants. The county also embeds social workers in public safety Community Response Units in Woodbury, Cottage Grove, and Oakdale, so that when residents are experiencing a mental health crisis, they are met with solutions beyond the hospital or jail. The county also provides wraparound services for inmates at the jail. The county also has a mental health mobile unit that attends community events and meets residents in the community to provide services – in 2025, the van was at over 100 events county-wide. In April, the county opened its first Family Resource Connections space at the service center in Cottage Grove, and has Family Resource Connection events at the libraries in Woodbury and Oakdale. In my volunteer work with Woodbury Thrives, I have worked closely with Washington County CONNECT to help us be more effective in addressing mental health issues in Woodbury. This program has been around for nearly 30 years and has been effective at spreading news, information, and best practices across healthcare providers, nonprofits, civic groups, and government partners. The county should continue to prioritize its work in mental health, even with additional budgetary pressure from unfunded mandates.
Elections & Public Trust
What steps should Washington County take to protect election integrity and public confidence, especially as misinformation about elections spreads?
I have volunteered as an election judge several times, most recently in January for the 47A special election. The county needs 1100 election judges to administer the November 2026 election. It is important to keep our polling places safe for all people to exercise their right to vote. This means working with local municipalities to ensure that no one is outside the polls trying to intimidate voters. The county could create more user-friendly election overviews – helping reinforce that county election judges are our friends and neighbors; creating video guides that would emphasize the safety and rigor of elections; sharing information from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office around election security (like that law enforcement cannot patrol polling sites, which is a question I have had at the doors). The county could also explore increasing election judge pay as needed to help recruit – currently pay starts at $13/hour. The more transparent and open the county is with information, the less room there is for misinformation.
Transparency & Public Access
Would you support expanding public access to county workshops, budget discussions, and other deliberative meetings?
Under Minnesota law, all meetings are publicly noticed and open, with the exception of some specific instances (for example, negotiations). All agendas and board packets are available ahead of time on the county’s website. All committees have notetakers and notes are posted. The personnel, finance, and audit committees are also recorded. Board meetings and budget workshops are televised and available afterward on Vimeo. As far as I know, non-budget workshops are not recorded, and I support the broadcasting of these in the future. On the South Washington County School Board, where I currently serve, all workshops and business meetings are televised and recorded.
Campaign Finance
Do you accept campaign contributions from sources other than individuals (e.g., PACs, corporations, party committees)? If so, from whom, and why?
I have received contributions from family, friends, and local residents, as well as from labor organizations that have endorsed me. This is a nonpartisan position and I am running without party support. Corporate donations are illegal in Minnesota. My campaign finance disclosure is up-to-date and is posted on the county’s campaign finance website, as is required by law.
Personal
What are you most passionate about, and why did you choose to run?
I love this community – I have lived in Woodbury since 2002 and my kids were born and raised here. I have spent much of that time working to help our community become stronger as it grows – volunteering in schools, on political campaigns, for local groups like Woodbury Thrives, the Woodbury Community Garden, the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, the Washington County Library Board. I am passionate about the problem-solving nature of local government – budgets, policies, community engagement. County government has such an impact on people’s lives and is often invisible to residents who aren’t aware of the scope and scale of what the county does. The uncertainty in Washington and Saint Paul means we need experienced, trusted leadership, grounded in the community, to help make decisions that deliver for residents.