Saint Paul, MN – Today, the VoteVets Emerging Leaders Program officially endorsed Trista MatasCastillo for Ramsey County Commissioner.
“We are seeing a record number of women veterans running for office this year, including local races like county commissioner,” said Charles Cox, campaign manager at Volunteers for Trista. “Trista will be the first woman veteran to serve on the Ramsey County Board.”
VoteVets, which counts over 600,000 members across the US, recognizes the importance of including veterans’ voices in the national political conversation and advocates for veterans’ needs. They work with progressive allies representing labor, immigration, gay and lesbian rights, and environmentalists when their issues coincide with the needs of troops and veterans.
“In these turbulent political times, our veterans, communities and country need leaders like Trista who will continue to serve the nation and put the country first,” said Jon Soltz, Chairman of the VoteVets PAC. “I am honored to support Trista in her campaign to serve her fellow citizens of Ramsey County, Minnesota as their Commissioner for District 3.”
“My service in the military profoundly shaped who I am and my approach to leadership,” said Trista. “We need elected officials who put the needs of others before themselves, and make sure that no one is left behind. I am committed to bringing that ethos to the Ramsey County Board.”
Trista is a veteran who served 16 years in the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and Minnesota National Guard. She currently works at Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, working to end homelessness among veterans. Since leaving the military, Trista has been a fierce advocate for veterans mental health, creating services for women veterans, and fighting military sexual assault.
Trista is running to represent District 3, which encompasses Saint Paul neighborhoods of Payne-Phalen, North End, South Como, Como Park, Frogtown, and Hamline-Midway as well as Falcon Heights.
