Anoka County Government Center
2100 Third Ave.
Anoka, MN 55303-5024
Ph:763-324-4700 (Admin Front Desk)
Commissioner Braastad is in her second term on the Anoka County Board of Commissioners; she was first elected in 2013. She represents Ham Lake, East Bethel, Bethel, and portions of Andover and Blaine.
Commissioner Braastad grew up in Columbia Heights, where she graduated from high school. After high school, she attended Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids. She then worked in the banking industry for 10 years before going back to school at the Minnesota Paralegal Institute. She worked as a paralegal for almost two decades before running for the Anoka County Board.
Commissioner Braastad lives in Ham Lake with her husband, Rick. They have two married daughters and two grandchildren.
Commissioner Braastad’s interest in public service first developed when she served on the Ham Lake Planning and Zoning Commission for 2 years. After that, she ran for a seat on the Ham Lake City Council and won. She served for 6 years on the city council before being elected to the Anoka County Board. She’s also been involved with many organizations that work to support veterans, serving as a VFW Ladies Auxiliary vice president and co-chairing the Toys for Troops drives. Braastad has served on the Community Engagement Committee for the Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health and Well-Being, and works with many faith-based organizations through her church, Constance Free.
Commissioner Braastad believes a good county commissioner should be accessible and approachable. She likes to be hands-on in her community so that people get to know her and feel comfortable approaching her to discuss issues of concern.
Some of the primary issues of importance to Commissioner Braastad are public safety, mental health and economic development. She also notes that working with state and regional partners to improve traffic flow along Highway 65 is a priority for her. Commissioner Braastad is also a proponent of partnerships between government and private partners, such as nonprofits, because more can be accomplished for the betterment of the community when people work together.
Commissioner Braastad’s hobbies include golfing, boating, being outdoors, traveling, vintage snowmobiles, target shooting, and spending time with her family.
To find your commissioner district, go to the Minnesota Secretary of State's Polling Place Finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us and enter your home address.
To find commissioner terms of office and committee appointments, click HERE.