Service. Accountability. Results.

I’m running to represent Big Lake, Becker, Clear Lake, and our surrounding townships with disciplined leadership and a commitment to putting our communities first.

Growth is good but not if local families are left paying the bill.
That means holding large corporations accountable, protecting our infrastructure, and making sure every decision puts our communities first, not outside interests.

Leashes Off, Conversation On: 5/21 6:30 PM @ Becker Dog Park

Trivia Thursday with SD27 & SD30 DFL (must sign up on Mobilize)

Door Knocking with Vanessa Davenport - Big Lake: 6/3 5PM @ Big Lake Lions Park. Volunteers needed!

Door Knocking with Vanessa Davenport - Becker: 6/4 5PM @ Becker Community Center. Volunteers needed!

Back to the Majority - Virtual Fundraiser: 6/29 7 PM

Top Campaign Priorities

We can grow responsibly, protect our communities, and plan for the future without asking local families to carry the burden.

#1: AI Datacenter - Protecting Our Communities While Planning for the Future

Growth is coming but local families shouldn’t be left paying the bill.

  • Require corporations to cover infrastructure, grid, and water costs

  • No blank checks for large corporations -

  • Independent third-party audits at every phase

  • Full public transparency before approvals

  • Local communities must have a real voice

  • Open to pausing expansion until safeguards are in place

  • Opponents Approach:

    • HF28 - As chief author of HF28, Shane Mekeland advanced legislation that reduces regulatory oversight to accelerate data center energy infrastructure, while my approach prioritizes requiring corporations to cover costs, ensuring transparency, and protecting local communities before expansion.

    • HF4153 - As chief author of HF4153, Shane Mekeland supported policies that ease water usage approvals and provide tax advantages for data centers, whereas I advocate for full public transparency, independent oversight, and ensuring corporations, not local families, bear the long-term costs.

    • HF4990 - As an author/coauthor of HF4990, Shane Mekeland backed expanded exemptions and incentives for data centers to encourage rapid development, in contrast to my position that growth should be paused or limited until strong safeguards, accountability, and community protections are in place.

#2: Reliable Energy & Grid Security

Reliable power isn’t optional and neither is protecting ratepayers.

  • Keep energy reliable and affordable

  • Support reviewing/lifting the nuclear moratorium

  • ONLY with:

    • Ratepayer protections

    • Transparent financing

    • Public oversight

  • Focus on grid resilience + affordability

  • Long term planning

  • Opponents Approach: Short-term, deregulation-first approach that risks long-term costs and instability.

More

Priorities

  • These decisions belong to patients and their doctors—not politicians.

    • Protect access to abortion and reproductive healthcare

    • Maintain Minnesota’s role as a state that respects personal freedom

    • Ensure government does not interfere in private medical decisions

    Opponent’s approach: Supports restricting abortion access and putting government between patients and their doctors.

  • Getting care shouldn’t depend on your zip code or your income.

    • Expand access to rural healthcare and telehealth services

    • Address workforce shortages so families can actually get care when they need it

    • Improve access to mental health services, especially for veterans and families

    • Require clear, upfront pricing so people aren’t hit with surprise medical bills

    • Lower prescription drug costs and increase transparency

    Opponent’s approach: Focus has not been on expanding access or cost transparency, with less emphasis on addressing rural healthcare shortages and affordability challenges.

  • Families shouldn’t be carrying the burden alone.

    • Lower everyday costs through energy efficiency and infrastructure

    • Expand access to affordable childcare, especially in rural areas

    • Increase transparency in healthcare pricing

  • Working families shouldn’t be subsidizing everyone else.

    • Ask the highest earners to contribute slightly more

    • Invest in schools, roads, and emergency services

    • Focus on tax fairness, not across-the-board cuts

    Opponent’s approach: Broad tax cuts regardless of income level, which can shift the burden onto local communities.

  • If projects come into our communities, the jobs should stay here.

    • Support apprenticeships and workforce pipelines

    • Promote fair wages and labor standards

    • Prioritize local hiring for local projects

    Opponent’s approach: Reducing regulations with less emphasis on wages, labor protections, and local hiring.

  • Taxpayer dollars should be protected. Period.

    • Strengthen oversight before money is lost

    • Modernize fraud detection systems

    • Enforce real consequences for misuse

  • Public safety starts with accountability and results.

    • Fully prosecute violent crime

    • Strengthen coordination with local law enforcement

    • Keep illegal firearms out of the hands of criminals

    • Promote responsible gun ownership

  • Service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.

    • Expand rural access to mental health care

    • Improve job credential recognition

    • Ensure veterans and families receive the support they’ve earned

  • Government should answer to voters, not big money.

    • Strengthen transparency and disclosure

    • Enforce clear rules around coordination

    • Expand reforms that elevate everyday voices

  • Privacy isn’t optional, it’s a right.

    • Set clear limits on surveillance technology

    • Strengthen data privacy protections

    • Uphold warrants and due process

  • Our communities need housing—but local families should have a fair shot at owning a home.

    • Support converting underused properties into housing

    • Reduce outdated zoning barriers where it makes sense locally

    • Support local builders and responsible development

    • Limit large-scale corporate and private equity purchases of single-family homes

    • Prioritize homeownership opportunities for individuals and families

    Opponent’s approach: Focus on reducing regulations and fewer restrictions on the housing market, without prioritizing safeguards to ensure local families can compete for homeownership.

Let’s Build This Together!

Campaigns in small communities are about relationships. I want to hear what matters to you and your family.

Whether you want to volunteer, host a conversation, or simply stay informed — I’d love to connect!

Accepting Mail:

PO Box 102

Big Lake, MN 55309

About Vanessa

I’m running for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 27A because I believe in hard work, accountability, and making sure working families aren’t left behind. After years of serving in different roles, I want to continue serving my community in a more meaningful and impactful way.

I was raised by a single mother in Tennessee, and from an early age, I learned the value of responsibility and resilience. I worked three jobs while in high school, which shaped my work ethic and my understanding of what it takes to get ahead.

I went on to study Aviation and International Studies at Jacksonville University and completed FAA Air Traffic Control training, gaining experience in high-pressure, high-accountability environments.

My career has been grounded in logistics, operations, and public service. I’ve worked as a QA Auditor for Endeavor Airlines and as a Materials Manager and Heavy Equipment Operator in industrial construction across multiple states. I also served on active duty in the United States Navy as a Logistics Specialist aboard the USS Nimitz during its longest deployment since Vietnam, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I continued to serve in the Navy Reserves.

Today, I work as an analyst at a Minnesota electric company while completing my Master’s degree in Engineering, focused on supply chain transportation and logistics.

Having lived in nine states and visited more than 30 countries, I bring a broad perspective and a deep commitment to community. I’m running to protect our communities from unchecked expansion of AI data centers, safeguard and strengthen our electric grid, strengthen accountability in government, and ensure that our economy works for everyone, not just the few.

Current endorsements:

  • DFL

  • Minnesota Young DFL

  • FairVote Minnesota

Our District

Explore MN House District 27A

Haven ~ Palmer ~ Santiago ~ Clear Lake ~ Becker ~ Orrock ~ Big Lake