Madison Common Council District 13
In the primary election for Madison Common Council’s District 13 seat Tuesday, incumbent Ald. Sue Ellingson, District 13, will battle two opponents for the opportunity to re-run for her position as alder.
Edgewood student Zach Madden, 19, and lifetime Madison resident Damon Terrell, 21, are also running to be placed on the ballot for city Council’s District 13 seat.
District 13 encompasses South Park Street up to Wingra Drive, including the Greenbush and Vilas neighborhoods as well as Edgewood College.
Twelve current alders and former Mayor Dave Cieslewicz endorsed Ellingson, who was elected to her position in 2011, in the upcoming race, according to her campaign website. Her plans consist of enhancing communication around the district, improving pedestrian and bike safety, as well as finding “a way forward with Overture.”
Progressive Dane endorsed both Madden and Terrell, according to their campaign websites. Madden was also endorsed by the Affordable Housing Action Alliance, and the Green Party endorsed Terrell.
Madden aims to more effectively address the homelessness issues throughout the city and county, ensuring they have the “bare necessities of life,” according to his website. He also supports affordable transit and clean lake initiatives.
According to his campaign website, Terrell is committed to supporting local sustainable agriculture, community gardens, affordable housing and mass transit, as well as communicating with District 13 residents about how local policy affects other sectors of government.
—Taylor Harvey
Madison Common Council District 2
Following incumbent Ald. Bridget Maniaci’s decision not to run for re-election, three candidates will battle to win the open Madison Common Council District 2 seat, which covers the Langdon and Mansion Hill neighborhoods on campus.
Candidates Ledell Zellers, Dennis de Nure and Bryan Post will go head to head in the Spring Primary Election Tuesday to serve as the district’s alder for two years.
According to Post’s campaign website, he plans to advocate for more affordable housing in Madison to encourage more residents to settle in the area. Post also plans to find a more permanent solution to homelessness, improve access to public transit and ensure pedestrian and bicycle safety. He also said the city should make an effort to keep the Overture Center active and strong, but only so long as it does not interfere with “more important priorities.” Maniaci has endorsed Post in the race.
Zellers’ platform focuses on developing and cultivating new businesses, while helping existing businesses to grow, according to her campaign website. She also plans to advocate for increased transportation options and bicycle and pedestrian safety. She also believes the city should continue to fund the Overture Center.
If elected, de Nure plans to pursue his Museum Mile plan, an initiative to renovate and create museums in Madison to enhance downtown Madison’s brand, according to his campaign website. Additionally, he plans to create a new Mendota lakeshore path from Alumni Park to James Madison Park to encourage tourism in his “Museum Mile.” de Nure plans to keep the Overture Center funded by the city through his “Museum Mile” fund.
—Sam Cusick
State Supreme Court: Two candidates, incumbent to face off for place on April ballot
The field of candidates vying for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court will narrow from three to two Tuesday as voters head to the polls for the first statewide election since last November.
Justice Pat Roggensack is aiming to fend off primary challenges from Marquette University law professor Ed Fallone and Milwaukee lemon law attorney Vince Megna to win a second ten-year term on the state’s highest court.
The two candidates with the most votes after Tuesday’s primary will face off in the April 2 general election.
Roggensack, who served seven years on an appeals court prior to her first term on the Supreme Court, has emphasized her experience during the campaign, repeatedly saying neither of her opponents have ever served as a judge.
However, Fallone has contended his decades of work as an attorney and professor have provided him with a wide range of legal expertise.
Additionally, he has criticized the dysfunctionality of the court, highlighted by an incident in which Justice David Prosser placed his hands around Justice Ann Walsh Bradley’s neck during an argument over a case in June 2011.
Megna, who has also chided the personal animosity between justices on the court, has gained more attention for openly identifying as a Democrat in a nonpartisan race. He has also promised to represent the average citizen, not special interests, if elected to the court.
Last week, the Government Accountability Board predicted voter turnout would be less than 10 percent for the primary. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 19.
—Adam Wollner
