Name: Tina Folch Age: 51 Educational Background: Tina Folch has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from St. Catherine University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Hamline University School of Business. In addition, she holds professional certifications in project management, emergency management, and as a public procurement officer.

Relevant Information: In her role as a Hastings City Councilmember since 2016, Tina has been additionally serving on the Dakota County Broadband Board, the Governor’s Taskforce on Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, the Hastings Arts Task Force and the School District 200 Community Engagement Committee. Tina has enjoyed volunteering with several non-profit groups, such as Hastings’ Football Connections and YMCA Boards, the Hastings Chamber of Commerce, & the Hastings Downtown Business Association. She is currently the League of MN Cities Improving Service Delivery Policy Committee Chair. Prior to moving into Hastings, Tina resided in southern Cottage Grove and served on its Planning Commission for three years.

Tina’s endorsement include: Mayor Myron Bailey, City of Cottage Grove; Mayor Mary Fasbender, City of Hastings; and 35 other organizations who care about communities such as Minnesota’s teachers, nurses, & firefighters, those groups that support reproductive rights and our environment, the DFL party, and the majority of our unions such as the AFL-CIO & St. Paul Building and Construction Trades.

Office Sought: MN House of Representatives, District 41B (Southern Cottage Grove, Hastings, Denmark and Nininger Townships) Why Tina Folch for State Senate District 41B?

I’m running for this office because I believe our leaders should bring people together rather driving people apart. For many of us, we feel it’s time to put aside our differences and work to lift up all Minnesotans. We need someone as myself with experience as an elected official in bringing diverse people together from our communities to find common ground solutions. My professional expertise spans the last 30 years in State and local government finance, public infrastructure, law enforcement and economic development. As an expert in state and local government issues, I will hit the ground running.

Furthermore, my experience in governing has taught me that to be effective you need the ability to collaborate with all sides. Being able to compromise and find common values is key to bringing groups together to resolve challenges. With a record $9 billion surplus that went largely untapped, we have the opportunity to shift the state budget to fully fund public education and stop local school district referendums. We can also further pilot programs to support first responders, drive down costs for daycare, and create a family medical leave program for small businesses. I plan to bring my skills in collaboration building and being a local fighter for our small business and residents to the Capitol. For more information on my campaign, please visit tinafolch.com.

Tina Folch