Ashley Patel
Name: Ashley Patel
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone:
Campaign Website: https://ashleyforshoreview.org/
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ashleypatelforshoreview/
Candidate Bio
I earned my Bachelor's in Political Science from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2011, which instilled in me a fundamental respect for local governance. Wanting to address community challenges with a human-first lens, I moved on to the University of Chicago, graduating with my Master of Social Work (MSW) in 2015. Later, realizing that making a lasting impact requires strong organizational and strategic skills, I went back to school to build the necessary business acumen, earning my MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2022.
When my husband and I moved to Shoreview in 2019, I knew I wanted to actively contribute to the city that had given our family such a beautiful place to call home. I wanted to dive into how our city works from the ground up, which led me to participate in the Shoreview Citizen Leadership Academy, support local causes on the Board of the Shoreview Community Foundation, and advocate for our neighbors on the city's Human Rights Commission.
Every step of my journey, from the social work frameworks that focus on human well-being to the business training required to manage complex budgets responsibly, has uniquely equipped me to serve Shoreview.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
Local government is about the lived experiences of real people, not just balance sheets. Serving on the City Council is a deeply meaningful way for me to give back. I promise to lead with true empathy, actively listening to my neighbors to understand what matters most to our families, seniors, and local business owners alike as we protect our rock-solid foundation and thoughtfully grow together. I will work to address the most pressing needs of Shoreview residents by listening to them firsthand and working collaboratively with the parties necessary to develop sustainable solutions that meet the most need.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My top three priorities are housing maintenance and affordability, fiscal responsibility and economic growth, and connected mobility and infrastructure. Uncertainty around state and federal funding impacts all these priorities, potentially leading to increased cost burden on the city and its residents. These increased costs will be passed down to residents as higher taxes. To mitigate significant tax increases, I will prioritize building the corporate tax base to offset the burden that would be passed on to individuals and families living in the city.
What is the biggest challenge facing Shoreview right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Managing rising housing and maintenance costs while preserving long term community affordability is the biggest challenge. Shoreview is a community where people build their lives and stay for generations, but as home buying and upkeep costs rise, financial strain increases for families of all ages and income levels.
This challenge also presents the greatest opportunity to build off the solid housing sector in Shoreview and pursue pro-growth partnerships while modernizing zoning and permitting processes. By being a transparent partner for local developers and residents, the City will be able to attract the right type of development that meets the housing needs of our community. Modernizing zoning and permitting processes can also promote economic activity needed to expand the tax base and strengthen the community for the future.
How would you characterize the business climate in Shoreview, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
The business climate in Shoreview is strong, with a number of large corporations operating in the city, an educated workforce, and a vibrant community of independent businesses. City government has a responsibility to partner with businesses to streamline permitting and make it easier for them to operate and grow in the city. The city also needs to be an active participant in attracting new businesses to the area so Shoreview residents have access to good-paying jobs if they choose to work in the city.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
A pressing public safety challenge in Shoreview is medical emergency response. Medical emergency response was one of the most common types of calls made to the Ramsey County Sheriff in suburban areas in 2025. As a City Council member, I will work to address this challenge by expanding access to public health programming and maintaining the city’s transportation infrastructure. Public health programming can help people get preventive care and manage chronic conditions to reduce the risk of a medical episode becoming an emergency. If an emergency does occur, however, a well-maintained transportation infrastructure will allow emergency vehicles to respond quickly and safely to provide lifesaving care.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability, and how do you view the role of rent control policies in that process?
As a member of the City Council, I will work to increase the awareness and accessibility of City-sponsored down payment assistance and home improvement loans. By connecting residents with affordable resources to buy or upgrade existing properties, we can ensure every family has a safe, comfortable place to live for a lifetime.
Residents need price stability so they aren’t priced out of their homes by sudden, predatory rent hikes. At the same time, the city also needs high-quality development built by skilled labor to expand our overall housing supply. Rent regulations provide a crucial shield against displacement for vulnerable tenants today, while pro-development policies, combined with fair labor standards enable us to build the housing our community needs for tomorrow.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
I will ensure our trails are beautifully maintained and expanded to provide safe passage to schools, recreational areas, and businesses. By investing in pedestrian safety upgrades, protected bikeways, and improved trail intersections, we can keep Shoreview residents safe as they move throughout our city.
As the city continues to increase housing options for people of all income levels, the demand for public transit needs to be reassessed to ensure adequate coverage across the city and help people have a reliable way to move around the city and surrounding areas. Understanding the evolving needs of our city will enable the City Council to make informed decisions about how public transit services can best serve those who need them.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the city levy?
Fiscal responsibility is not just about balancing the budget. It is about making investments that protect taxpayers and strengthen Shoreview's future. City Hall should be a supportive, transparent partner for entrepreneurs and local businesses, and I will take steps on the City Council to modernize and streamline our zoning and permitting processes so businesses that align with the character of the city can establish themselves here and provide for the residents of Shoreview. To keep our community thriving, I will focus on responsible economic growth to expand our tax base, ensuring new development contributes fairly to our long-term community needs and helps preserve the services and quality of life we all love.
What are the two or three issues where you believe city government is best positioned to lead — and why the city rather than the state or county?
The issues where city government is best positioned to lead are intentional business growth and responsive community services and spaces. Local government is able to lead in these areas because of its access to residents, which allows the city to be responsive to the challenges and concerns people in the city face each day. City government is able to serve as a strategic liaison between residents and potential businesses that come into the area, amplifying the voice of the people to ensure new businesses fill any gaps in our existing business sector. Local government is also uniquely suited to respond to residents’ concerns and provide community services and facilities that meet their needs and help them maintain a good quality of life.
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
A strong community starts with strong connections. I believe City Hall must be accessible, transparent, and proactive, listening to residents before challenges arise, not just after. As a City Council member, I will work to expand community outreach, support multi-generational programming, and foster open communication with neighborhoods and local businesses. Together, we can make informed decisions that reflect our values and ensure Shoreview remains a vibrant, welcoming place for all ages.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone:
Campaign Website: https://ashleyforshoreview.org/
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ashleypatelforshoreview/
Candidate Bio
I earned my Bachelor's in Political Science from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2011, which instilled in me a fundamental respect for local governance. Wanting to address community challenges with a human-first lens, I moved on to the University of Chicago, graduating with my Master of Social Work (MSW) in 2015. Later, realizing that making a lasting impact requires strong organizational and strategic skills, I went back to school to build the necessary business acumen, earning my MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2022.
When my husband and I moved to Shoreview in 2019, I knew I wanted to actively contribute to the city that had given our family such a beautiful place to call home. I wanted to dive into how our city works from the ground up, which led me to participate in the Shoreview Citizen Leadership Academy, support local causes on the Board of the Shoreview Community Foundation, and advocate for our neighbors on the city's Human Rights Commission.
Every step of my journey, from the social work frameworks that focus on human well-being to the business training required to manage complex budgets responsibly, has uniquely equipped me to serve Shoreview.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
Local government is about the lived experiences of real people, not just balance sheets. Serving on the City Council is a deeply meaningful way for me to give back. I promise to lead with true empathy, actively listening to my neighbors to understand what matters most to our families, seniors, and local business owners alike as we protect our rock-solid foundation and thoughtfully grow together. I will work to address the most pressing needs of Shoreview residents by listening to them firsthand and working collaboratively with the parties necessary to develop sustainable solutions that meet the most need.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My top three priorities are housing maintenance and affordability, fiscal responsibility and economic growth, and connected mobility and infrastructure. Uncertainty around state and federal funding impacts all these priorities, potentially leading to increased cost burden on the city and its residents. These increased costs will be passed down to residents as higher taxes. To mitigate significant tax increases, I will prioritize building the corporate tax base to offset the burden that would be passed on to individuals and families living in the city.
What is the biggest challenge facing Shoreview right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Managing rising housing and maintenance costs while preserving long term community affordability is the biggest challenge. Shoreview is a community where people build their lives and stay for generations, but as home buying and upkeep costs rise, financial strain increases for families of all ages and income levels.
This challenge also presents the greatest opportunity to build off the solid housing sector in Shoreview and pursue pro-growth partnerships while modernizing zoning and permitting processes. By being a transparent partner for local developers and residents, the City will be able to attract the right type of development that meets the housing needs of our community. Modernizing zoning and permitting processes can also promote economic activity needed to expand the tax base and strengthen the community for the future.
How would you characterize the business climate in Shoreview, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
The business climate in Shoreview is strong, with a number of large corporations operating in the city, an educated workforce, and a vibrant community of independent businesses. City government has a responsibility to partner with businesses to streamline permitting and make it easier for them to operate and grow in the city. The city also needs to be an active participant in attracting new businesses to the area so Shoreview residents have access to good-paying jobs if they choose to work in the city.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
A pressing public safety challenge in Shoreview is medical emergency response. Medical emergency response was one of the most common types of calls made to the Ramsey County Sheriff in suburban areas in 2025. As a City Council member, I will work to address this challenge by expanding access to public health programming and maintaining the city’s transportation infrastructure. Public health programming can help people get preventive care and manage chronic conditions to reduce the risk of a medical episode becoming an emergency. If an emergency does occur, however, a well-maintained transportation infrastructure will allow emergency vehicles to respond quickly and safely to provide lifesaving care.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability, and how do you view the role of rent control policies in that process?
As a member of the City Council, I will work to increase the awareness and accessibility of City-sponsored down payment assistance and home improvement loans. By connecting residents with affordable resources to buy or upgrade existing properties, we can ensure every family has a safe, comfortable place to live for a lifetime.
Residents need price stability so they aren’t priced out of their homes by sudden, predatory rent hikes. At the same time, the city also needs high-quality development built by skilled labor to expand our overall housing supply. Rent regulations provide a crucial shield against displacement for vulnerable tenants today, while pro-development policies, combined with fair labor standards enable us to build the housing our community needs for tomorrow.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
I will ensure our trails are beautifully maintained and expanded to provide safe passage to schools, recreational areas, and businesses. By investing in pedestrian safety upgrades, protected bikeways, and improved trail intersections, we can keep Shoreview residents safe as they move throughout our city.
As the city continues to increase housing options for people of all income levels, the demand for public transit needs to be reassessed to ensure adequate coverage across the city and help people have a reliable way to move around the city and surrounding areas. Understanding the evolving needs of our city will enable the City Council to make informed decisions about how public transit services can best serve those who need them.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the city levy?
Fiscal responsibility is not just about balancing the budget. It is about making investments that protect taxpayers and strengthen Shoreview's future. City Hall should be a supportive, transparent partner for entrepreneurs and local businesses, and I will take steps on the City Council to modernize and streamline our zoning and permitting processes so businesses that align with the character of the city can establish themselves here and provide for the residents of Shoreview. To keep our community thriving, I will focus on responsible economic growth to expand our tax base, ensuring new development contributes fairly to our long-term community needs and helps preserve the services and quality of life we all love.
What are the two or three issues where you believe city government is best positioned to lead — and why the city rather than the state or county?
The issues where city government is best positioned to lead are intentional business growth and responsive community services and spaces. Local government is able to lead in these areas because of its access to residents, which allows the city to be responsive to the challenges and concerns people in the city face each day. City government is able to serve as a strategic liaison between residents and potential businesses that come into the area, amplifying the voice of the people to ensure new businesses fill any gaps in our existing business sector. Local government is also uniquely suited to respond to residents’ concerns and provide community services and facilities that meet their needs and help them maintain a good quality of life.
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
A strong community starts with strong connections. I believe City Hall must be accessible, transparent, and proactive, listening to residents before challenges arise, not just after. As a City Council member, I will work to expand community outreach, support multi-generational programming, and foster open communication with neighborhoods and local businesses. Together, we can make informed decisions that reflect our values and ensure Shoreview remains a vibrant, welcoming place for all ages.