Madison Mayor Sue Bauman officially announced Monday that she will seek re-election in the spring of 2003.
The statement came during a scheduled press conference in front of the Hawthorne Branch of the Madison Public Library System and East Madison Public Health Department Offices, 2817 E. Washington Ave. to a crowd displaying signs of support.
\I'm proud of what we have accomplished here in Madison over the last five and a half years"" Bauman said. ""But we cannot hide from the real needs in our community.""
Campaign worker Faith KuFahl described the event as being, ""well attended with a diverse background of individuals present,"" including the hearing-impaired, Chinese, African-American and Hispanic communities.
Bauman faces several opponents, including former mayor Paul Soglin, Madison School Board vice president Ray Allen, and former Dane County Board supervisor Dave Cieslewicz.
If re-elected it will be Bauman's second full term. She was elected Mayor for the first time in a special election in 1997 following the retirement of Soglin midway through his term. She was then re-elected for her first full term in 1999.
During the press conference Bauman did not focus on Madison's accomplishments while under her tenure but instead decided to discuss the issues prevalent to her campaign.
According to KuFahl, affordable housing and race relations in the city of Madison will be key aspects in the Mayor's quest to remain in office.
""Sue Bauman would like voters to receive a campaign of ideas, for all candidates to bring their ideas to the table and discuss them,"" she said.
