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My Platform

Residents deserve a county government that works for the people it serves. That starts with leaders who remember who elected them and that every vote they take affects real people:

  • Families trying to stay in their homes. 
  • Teachers deciding whether they can afford to keep teaching here. 
  • First responders carrying heavy workloads. 
  • County employees who keep services running quietly and consistently. 

Kristel believes county leadership is about responsibility and judgment. It is about doing the work with residents kept at the center of every decision and about staying focused on outcomes that matter in people’s daily lives.

Collaboration First

Cabarrus County is made up of multiple towns, school systems, agencies, and community partners. Progress depends on how well those pieces work together. Kristel believes good leadership requires collaboration across jurisdictions and perspectives. Solutions are stronger when leaders are willing to listen, work through differences, and negotiate thoughtfully instead of retreating into silos. County government works best when collaboration is the default, not the exception.

Affordability at the Center

Every dollar the county spends represents hard-earned money people chose to invest back into their community. Budget decisions should always reflect that reality. She believes fiscal responsibility and care for people are not opposing ideas. We can stretch dollars, negotiate better outcomes, and manage resources wisely without making short-term, short-sighted cuts that simply shift costs somewhere else. Cuts that burn out first responders, drive out longtime employees, or weaken essential services often cost more in the long run.

Growth That Is Planned and Negotiated

Growth is here, and Kristel believes it should be planned, coordinated, and negotiated in the public’s interest. There is always room for a better deal when leaders are clear about priorities and willing to ask harder questions. Development should align with infrastructure, school capacity, and county services. Growth should help support the demands it creates, rather than shifting those costs onto residents. Decisions made by municipalities should be coordinated with county planning so one choice does not create problems somewhere else. 

Strong Schools and Support for Teachers

Strong schools are essential to a strong county. County government plays a central role in funding school facilities and long-term capital needs, and those decisions require long-range planning rather than reaction once overcrowding becomes a crisis. Students deserve safe, functional places to learn. Teachers deserve to feel supported enough to stay. Competitive teacher supplements matter because experience and stability matter in classrooms.

Public Safety That Keeps Pace

Public safety depends on preparation long before a crisis occurs. As the county grows, staffing and coordination must grow with it. First responders carry immense responsibility, and leadership owes them planning that reflects reality. Law enforcement, fire, and EMS must have the resources to do their jobs well. Agencies must work together seamlessly when it matters most.

Mental Health and Community Well-Being

Mental health is part of public safety and quality of life. Kristel believes access improves when systems work together and services are easier to navigate. The Stephen M. Morris Building should be leveraged as a central hub for coordinated care. Strong partnerships with healthcare providers, nonprofits, schools, and public safety can reduce barriers and help people get support earlier, before situations escalate into crises that disrupt lives and strain emergency systems.

Respect for Taxpayers and County Employees

County government only works because people show up every day to do the work. Kristel believes respecting taxpayers also means respecting county employees. Budgets should be built with creativity and discipline, with every dollar stretched, negotiated, and accounted for. At the same time, responsible budgeting does not mean short-term cuts that weaken services or push costs elsewhere. Sustainable decisions protect both taxpayers and the people who keep Cabarrus County running.

Leadership That Keeps People at the Center

Kristel’s approach to leadership is simple:

  • Remember who you serve.
  • Work together to solve problems.
  • Negotiate for better outcomes.
  • Plan ahead with people in mind.

Cabarrus County shaped Kristel. She is ready to serve it with care, accountability, and steady leadership.