Todd Jarrell and Ald. Mike Staude, District 8, have begun their campaigns for the Madison Common Council seat in that district.
Both candidates have been raising issues they hope appeal to students, ranging from tenant rights to changing the police department's focus from cracking down on house parties to issues of campus safety.
The incumbent, Staude, began his campaign in December and has pledged to run a clean and positive campaign that stresses the importance of free discussion on the issues and avoids dirty tactics. In his pledge, he asked supporters to avoid personal attacks throughout the campaign.
Jarrell also has pledged to run an honest campaign in accordance with the citizens' interests.
Staude said the important issues include tenant rights, campus safety, engaging students in city committees and ending the crackdown on underaged drinking at house parties.
\The police need to focus on real issues and not on someone that has the wrong birth date on their license,"" he said.
Jarrell said he agreed police need to focus on more important issues, such as assault, rape and murder as opposed to raiding house parties.
""They need to be focused on those rather than busting people for having a good time,"" Jarrell said.
In addressing this issue, Jarrell proposed giving a body such as the Public Safety Review Board, which now only advises the police department, control over the city budget and stronger influence over the Council.
Jarrell has begun his campaign by focusing on protecting the environment, increasing the efficiency of city buildings, improving public safety and transportation and providing quality housing for a typical student's income.
Jarrell also said he wants to see tenant rights enforced and empower students by encouraging them to be involved in city government.
In the past, Staude said he has promoted the student bus pass, brought more entertainment options to Madison and co-sponsored a living-wage ordinance, requiring fair pay for city employees.
""I've been a proven progressive voice for students,"" Staude said.
Jarrell said he feels he differs from Staude in that his campaign is supported by citizens who do not have a financial stake in what the council does.
""Business owners should have the same importance to the City Council as their citizens,"" Jarrell said.
Jarrell said he moved to Madison in 1996 and is currently a UW-Madison student triple majoring in English, Spanish and history. He works for transitional housing and has volunteered for WisPIRG, the Tenant Resource Center and the Mifflin Community Cooperative.
Staude, who was a UW-Madison undergraduate, is applying for admission to UW Law School and currently works in the student residence halls.
