Samantha Wolf
Name: Samantha Wolf
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 612-293-9639
Campaign Website: https://www.wolf4woodbury.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolf4woodbury/
Twitter handle: none
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/wolf4woodbury
Candidate Bio
I am a mom to two young children, a wife, and a proud resident of Royal Oaks neighborhood in Woodbury. With a background in nonprofit work and a passion for local advocacy, I am ready to represent your voice on the Woodbury City Council.
My professional background is in nonprofit communications. I’ve helped a variety of organizations communicate and market effectively to donors and volunteers, and to better serve the people they support.
My advocacy work has included advancing disability rights as a board member of MN Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, working to expand access to childcare in MN, promoting paid sick and safe time, and championing strong public schools. These experiences have given me the skills to listen, build consensus, navigate complex issues, and communicate transparently. All are essential skills for effective leadership.
For the past two years I’ve been leading a grassroots campaign to modernize Woodbury’s backyard chicken ordinance. Rather than relying on my own opinions, I set out to meet people where they were at, and get public input on the issue. Myself, along with a small group of passionate volunteers tabled at community events during the summer of 2025, answering questions, listening to concerns, and educating the public on the issue. I truly believe thoughtful, resident-driven engagement can shape better public policy, and I will bring that energy to city hall as a council member.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I believe deeply in the power of the collective and the power of community engagement. By keeping Woodbury residents well-informed, it allows them to be better stewards of our community and better understand the stakes and decisions being made that affect them locally. I am committed to leading in a transparent, accessible manner that allows constituents to make their opinions, concerns, and ideas known.
This role is not about me, it’s about the ‘we’. I am a representative of this community, and in order to accurately represent the needs of constituents, I need to be connected to them. I am committed to holding regular office hours and being accessible to voters for respectful two-way conversations. I’m not naive enough to think I can solve every problem for every person, but the very least I can do as a leader is to be an engaged listener and communicator.
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
Fiscal responsibility is one of the most important roles of a city government. Before asking local taxpayers to shoulder more of the burden, we should aggressively pursue grants and partnerships with county, state, and federal agencies wherever they're available, especially for major infrastructure, water quality, and transportation projects. If outside funding becomes less reliable, we'll need to make thoughtful decisions about what can move forward now, what may need to wait, and where we can find efficiencies without compromising the services residents depend on.
Honesty and communication with constituents is key. If funding changes affect a project or require difficult choices, residents deserve to know why. Transparency is especially important during times of uncertainty.
What is the biggest challenge facing Woodbury right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
I think the biggest challenge facing Woodbury right now is managing growth without losing what makes our city such a great place to live. Growth itself isn't the problem, but that growth needs to be planned thoughtfully to meet our community needs. Understandably, some residents have concerns when they see the city they fell in love with 20 years ago continue to transform and see new development adding stress to already maxed infrastructure.
The City of Woodbury is updating long-term plans now as we look to the 2050 comprehensive plan, and we have the opportunity to be intentional about future growth in Woodbury. We can choose growth that is thoughtful, sustainable, and supported by the infrastructure we need. We can preserve open spaces, protect our water, create walkable neighborhoods, and make sure new development improves quality of life instead of putting strain on residents. We can create zoning rules and stick to them, so that residents know what to expect when a land-owner sells and a developer begins building.
How would you characterize the business climate in Woodbury, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
Woodbury has a strong business climate. We're financially stable, we continue to attract investment, and businesses want to be here because our community is safe, well-managed, and growing. But I also think we have an opportunity to take the next step.
When I talk to residents, I hear this a lot: people want more reasons to stay in Woodbury. They want more locally owned businesses, more unique restaurants, more gathering places, and a community that feels vibrant throughout the week; not just a place where people live before driving somewhere else for dinner or entertainment.
The role of city government isn't to dictate what businesses should open, but we can create the conditions where businesses can succeed. That means making it easier for entrepreneurs and small business owners to navigate city processes, investing in infrastructure that supports walkable commercial districts, and working collaboratively with the Chamber of Commerce, local employers, and developers to attract the kinds of businesses residents are asking for.
My goal is to help create a city that is not only one of the best places to raise a family, but also one of the best places to start a business, enjoy a great meal, and spend time with friends and neighbors. That's how we build a stronger local economy and an even stronger community.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
According to the most recent city survey results (spring 2026) nearly 9 in 10 Woodbury residents rated police services as excellent or good. Public safety services remain one of the highest rated city services in Woodbury, and we should work to maintain that good work going forward.
The most pressing public safety challenge I see is maintaining trust in our public safety officials, especially with the aftermath of Metro Surge and continued lack of oversight of federal immigration enforcement. The City of Woodbury police does not enforce federal immigration policy, and that needs to be backed up and continuously communicated to the public, especially our immigrant communities. Statistics consistently show that communities are safer when residents are not afraid to call the police, and building trust is essential to those efforts.
There is and will continue to be a challenge to protecting public safety while protecting personal liberty in the age of AI and technology in policing. I support giving our public safety professionals the tools they need to keep Woodbury safe, but I also believe those tools need strong oversight. We need to prioritize public safety without compromising the privacy and civil liberties of our residents.
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?
I want to ensure that we are encouraging development in a thoughtful, measured manner. Stick to the zoning laws that have been agreed upon, except in extreme circumstances. I want to ensure Woodbury is making decisions with people first in mind, not developers. I don’t see the City of Woodbury needing rent control policies currently.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Transportation infrastructure should work for everyone, whether you’re driving to work, walking your child to school, biking on our trail system, or taking public transit. As Woodbury continues to grow, I would like to prioritize safe, connected, walkable neighborhoods that make it easier for people to get where they need to go without always getting in a car. That means maintaining our trails, improving pedestrian crossings, making intersections safer, and ensuring new development is designed with people (not just vehicles) in mind. Better walkability supports healthier lifestyles, stronger neighborhoods, green energy goals, and local businesses.
I have heard a lot of community concern around e-bike and e-scooter safety, especially as it pertains to riders under 18. I'm open to strengthening ordinances if they're based on evidence and focused on preventing injuries and I'd also want to make sure we're pairing any rules with education for kids and parents. I would want to prioritize education over punitive measures. At the same time, we can't lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of Woodbury residents rely on their cars every day. Keeping traffic moving safely, maintaining our roads, improving visibility at intersections, and using data to identify and address high-risk areas should remain top priorities. I also want to work collaboratively with Washington County to ensure that our busy county roads are being prioritized, and that Woodbury citizens & visitors who drive those roads every day are well advocated for when asking for county, state, and federal transportation dollars.
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?
It’s important for council to ensure that the City of Woodbury is spending effectively and responsibly, in order to provide the most services for the lowest cost. It’s the way I run my household, and the way most folks I know run theirs. That means opening projects and professional services up for bidding, empowering city staff to suggest a change if a vendor no longer fits our needs, and asking relevant and necessary questions during budget planning. As a Woodbury resident raising a young family, I know first-hand the difficulty of rising bills and property taxes. As a council member, it is my job to ask questions and consider the local ROI for each funding decision that is made, not simply rubber stamp items as they come through.
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?
City government is at its best when it focuses on the issues that directly affect residents' daily lives. For me, there are three areas where local leadership can make the biggest difference:
First, making city government more accessible and transparent. That's something only the City Council can lead. Residents shouldn't have to wait until election season to have a conversation with their elected officials. I support regular office hours, quarterly town halls, and clear communication so people can understand what's happening at City Hall and have meaningful opportunities to participate before decisions are made.
Second, guiding responsible growth. Woodbury is continuing to grow, and the decisions we make now about development, parks, green space, infrastructure, and water quality will shape our community for decades. While the state and county are important partners, it's the city that decides how growth fits into our neighborhoods and what kind of community we're building. I want that growth to protect the things that already make Woodbury a great place to live.
Third, strengthening our sense of community. Local government can either make it easier or harder for neighbors to build connections. Whether it's supporting community events, reducing unnecessary red tape for resident-led initiatives, or creating more opportunities for people to gather and participate, the city plays an important role in fostering the kind of community people want to call home.
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?
My entire campaign began with the idea that local government should be transparent and accessible to the people it serves. Transparency is ultimately about trust and clear communication. With my background as a professional communications manager, I’ve got the skills to ensure the City of Woodbury is communicating clearly and openly about important issues, including taxes and budgeting.
The first step I will take is to hold open office hours so people have ongoing opportunities to ask questions about city finances and other issues outside of the three minute public comment period at a council meeting. I believe residents deserve real dialogue and more opportunity for 2-way conversation with their local elected officials.
Other ideas include: create easy to understand budget summaries along with full budget, be transparent about long-term costs and realistic timelines, make it clear where money is going, and tie it back to actual services, policies, and improvements that affect citizens’ daily lives.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 612-293-9639
Campaign Website: https://www.wolf4woodbury.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolf4woodbury/
Twitter handle: none
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/wolf4woodbury
Candidate Bio
I am a mom to two young children, a wife, and a proud resident of Royal Oaks neighborhood in Woodbury. With a background in nonprofit work and a passion for local advocacy, I am ready to represent your voice on the Woodbury City Council.
My professional background is in nonprofit communications. I’ve helped a variety of organizations communicate and market effectively to donors and volunteers, and to better serve the people they support.
My advocacy work has included advancing disability rights as a board member of MN Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, working to expand access to childcare in MN, promoting paid sick and safe time, and championing strong public schools. These experiences have given me the skills to listen, build consensus, navigate complex issues, and communicate transparently. All are essential skills for effective leadership.
For the past two years I’ve been leading a grassroots campaign to modernize Woodbury’s backyard chicken ordinance. Rather than relying on my own opinions, I set out to meet people where they were at, and get public input on the issue. Myself, along with a small group of passionate volunteers tabled at community events during the summer of 2025, answering questions, listening to concerns, and educating the public on the issue. I truly believe thoughtful, resident-driven engagement can shape better public policy, and I will bring that energy to city hall as a council member.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I believe deeply in the power of the collective and the power of community engagement. By keeping Woodbury residents well-informed, it allows them to be better stewards of our community and better understand the stakes and decisions being made that affect them locally. I am committed to leading in a transparent, accessible manner that allows constituents to make their opinions, concerns, and ideas known.
This role is not about me, it’s about the ‘we’. I am a representative of this community, and in order to accurately represent the needs of constituents, I need to be connected to them. I am committed to holding regular office hours and being accessible to voters for respectful two-way conversations. I’m not naive enough to think I can solve every problem for every person, but the very least I can do as a leader is to be an engaged listener and communicator.
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
- Transparency & accessibility in local government through regular office hours and allowing a vote on ward representation
- Promoting a healthy community by protecting clean water, wild spaces, and parks, increasing walkability, promoting city-wide energy efficiency and EV chargers
- Having excellent partnerships with county, state and federal officials to make sure Woodbury funding priorities are well advocated for, in order to reduce the burden on the City of Woodbury tax base.
Fiscal responsibility is one of the most important roles of a city government. Before asking local taxpayers to shoulder more of the burden, we should aggressively pursue grants and partnerships with county, state, and federal agencies wherever they're available, especially for major infrastructure, water quality, and transportation projects. If outside funding becomes less reliable, we'll need to make thoughtful decisions about what can move forward now, what may need to wait, and where we can find efficiencies without compromising the services residents depend on.
Honesty and communication with constituents is key. If funding changes affect a project or require difficult choices, residents deserve to know why. Transparency is especially important during times of uncertainty.
What is the biggest challenge facing Woodbury right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
I think the biggest challenge facing Woodbury right now is managing growth without losing what makes our city such a great place to live. Growth itself isn't the problem, but that growth needs to be planned thoughtfully to meet our community needs. Understandably, some residents have concerns when they see the city they fell in love with 20 years ago continue to transform and see new development adding stress to already maxed infrastructure.
The City of Woodbury is updating long-term plans now as we look to the 2050 comprehensive plan, and we have the opportunity to be intentional about future growth in Woodbury. We can choose growth that is thoughtful, sustainable, and supported by the infrastructure we need. We can preserve open spaces, protect our water, create walkable neighborhoods, and make sure new development improves quality of life instead of putting strain on residents. We can create zoning rules and stick to them, so that residents know what to expect when a land-owner sells and a developer begins building.
How would you characterize the business climate in Woodbury, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
Woodbury has a strong business climate. We're financially stable, we continue to attract investment, and businesses want to be here because our community is safe, well-managed, and growing. But I also think we have an opportunity to take the next step.
When I talk to residents, I hear this a lot: people want more reasons to stay in Woodbury. They want more locally owned businesses, more unique restaurants, more gathering places, and a community that feels vibrant throughout the week; not just a place where people live before driving somewhere else for dinner or entertainment.
The role of city government isn't to dictate what businesses should open, but we can create the conditions where businesses can succeed. That means making it easier for entrepreneurs and small business owners to navigate city processes, investing in infrastructure that supports walkable commercial districts, and working collaboratively with the Chamber of Commerce, local employers, and developers to attract the kinds of businesses residents are asking for.
My goal is to help create a city that is not only one of the best places to raise a family, but also one of the best places to start a business, enjoy a great meal, and spend time with friends and neighbors. That's how we build a stronger local economy and an even stronger community.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
According to the most recent city survey results (spring 2026) nearly 9 in 10 Woodbury residents rated police services as excellent or good. Public safety services remain one of the highest rated city services in Woodbury, and we should work to maintain that good work going forward.
The most pressing public safety challenge I see is maintaining trust in our public safety officials, especially with the aftermath of Metro Surge and continued lack of oversight of federal immigration enforcement. The City of Woodbury police does not enforce federal immigration policy, and that needs to be backed up and continuously communicated to the public, especially our immigrant communities. Statistics consistently show that communities are safer when residents are not afraid to call the police, and building trust is essential to those efforts.
There is and will continue to be a challenge to protecting public safety while protecting personal liberty in the age of AI and technology in policing. I support giving our public safety professionals the tools they need to keep Woodbury safe, but I also believe those tools need strong oversight. We need to prioritize public safety without compromising the privacy and civil liberties of our residents.
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?
I want to ensure that we are encouraging development in a thoughtful, measured manner. Stick to the zoning laws that have been agreed upon, except in extreme circumstances. I want to ensure Woodbury is making decisions with people first in mind, not developers. I don’t see the City of Woodbury needing rent control policies currently.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Transportation infrastructure should work for everyone, whether you’re driving to work, walking your child to school, biking on our trail system, or taking public transit. As Woodbury continues to grow, I would like to prioritize safe, connected, walkable neighborhoods that make it easier for people to get where they need to go without always getting in a car. That means maintaining our trails, improving pedestrian crossings, making intersections safer, and ensuring new development is designed with people (not just vehicles) in mind. Better walkability supports healthier lifestyles, stronger neighborhoods, green energy goals, and local businesses.
I have heard a lot of community concern around e-bike and e-scooter safety, especially as it pertains to riders under 18. I'm open to strengthening ordinances if they're based on evidence and focused on preventing injuries and I'd also want to make sure we're pairing any rules with education for kids and parents. I would want to prioritize education over punitive measures. At the same time, we can't lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of Woodbury residents rely on their cars every day. Keeping traffic moving safely, maintaining our roads, improving visibility at intersections, and using data to identify and address high-risk areas should remain top priorities. I also want to work collaboratively with Washington County to ensure that our busy county roads are being prioritized, and that Woodbury citizens & visitors who drive those roads every day are well advocated for when asking for county, state, and federal transportation dollars.
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?
It’s important for council to ensure that the City of Woodbury is spending effectively and responsibly, in order to provide the most services for the lowest cost. It’s the way I run my household, and the way most folks I know run theirs. That means opening projects and professional services up for bidding, empowering city staff to suggest a change if a vendor no longer fits our needs, and asking relevant and necessary questions during budget planning. As a Woodbury resident raising a young family, I know first-hand the difficulty of rising bills and property taxes. As a council member, it is my job to ask questions and consider the local ROI for each funding decision that is made, not simply rubber stamp items as they come through.
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?
City government is at its best when it focuses on the issues that directly affect residents' daily lives. For me, there are three areas where local leadership can make the biggest difference:
First, making city government more accessible and transparent. That's something only the City Council can lead. Residents shouldn't have to wait until election season to have a conversation with their elected officials. I support regular office hours, quarterly town halls, and clear communication so people can understand what's happening at City Hall and have meaningful opportunities to participate before decisions are made.
Second, guiding responsible growth. Woodbury is continuing to grow, and the decisions we make now about development, parks, green space, infrastructure, and water quality will shape our community for decades. While the state and county are important partners, it's the city that decides how growth fits into our neighborhoods and what kind of community we're building. I want that growth to protect the things that already make Woodbury a great place to live.
Third, strengthening our sense of community. Local government can either make it easier or harder for neighbors to build connections. Whether it's supporting community events, reducing unnecessary red tape for resident-led initiatives, or creating more opportunities for people to gather and participate, the city plays an important role in fostering the kind of community people want to call home.
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?
My entire campaign began with the idea that local government should be transparent and accessible to the people it serves. Transparency is ultimately about trust and clear communication. With my background as a professional communications manager, I’ve got the skills to ensure the City of Woodbury is communicating clearly and openly about important issues, including taxes and budgeting.
The first step I will take is to hold open office hours so people have ongoing opportunities to ask questions about city finances and other issues outside of the three minute public comment period at a council meeting. I believe residents deserve real dialogue and more opportunity for 2-way conversation with their local elected officials.
Other ideas include: create easy to understand budget summaries along with full budget, be transparent about long-term costs and realistic timelines, make it clear where money is going, and tie it back to actual services, policies, and improvements that affect citizens’ daily lives.