Mike's parents moved to Golden Valley when he was six weeks old, and he has lived there ever since. He attended schools in the area, including kindergarten through sixth grade at Meadowbrook Elementary School on Glenwood Avenue. He and his wife Lauren live on Olympia Street with their daughter Rose and their two cats. Mike has a long record of public service. While in college, he interned for Golden Valley's U.S. Representative at the time, Martin Olav Sabo, and for Senator Paul Wellstone. After college, he worked as a Legislative Assistant to another legislator from Minnesota, Congressman James L. Oberstar, specializing in health care and education.  He is currently working as an attorney for a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public health.  In this capacity, he helped craft Minnesota's strong smoke-free workplace law. He is a member of such groups as the Golden Valley League of Women Voters, the Golden Valley Historical Society, and the Northwest Suburbs Cable Communications Commission. During college, Mike interned for Senator Paul Wellstone. Golden Valley residents elected Mike to the City Council in 2003 and reelected him in 2007. While on the Council, he has made responding to residents his top priority. He fought to keep Golden Valley's current water system, which the city was able to do at a greatly discounted rate. He helped enact Golden Valley's domestic partnership registry, and spoke in favor of similar ordinances being considered by neighboring communities.  He helped enact Golden Valley's strong smoke-free ordinance, laying the foundation that enabled the state to adopt its strong smoke-free law soon after.  He helped bring affordable housing to the community. Mike and Lauren were married at the Golden Valley Historical Society Building in 2007. Mike believes Golden Valley is a great place to live, a great place to raise a family. He looks forward to helping lead Golden Valley well into the 21st Century.