Dana Pellebon announces candidacy for Dane County Executive

District 33 Dane County Supervisor Dana Pellebon officially announced her candidacy for Dane County Executive at a press conference Wednesday in the Madison Concourse Hotel.

Pellebon will run against Madison Ald. Regina Vidaver and Democratic state Sen. Melissa Agard to replace outgoing Dane County Executive Joe Parisi after he retires in May. 

In remarks, Pellebon said Dane County deserves a leader “who has worked with and in our community at all levels for over 30 years.” 

“My proven leadership with compassion, integrity and equity in all spaces will deliver a better Dane County for us all,” Pellebon said.

Pellebon said she hopes to make “bold action” on criminal justice, health systems and affordable housing. After a long history of community activism, including being the executive director of the RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center and housing work, Pellbon believes she is uniquely situated to be county executive. 

“My work as an executive for several nonprofits has not only been transformational but has ensured the success of those businesses in the future,” Pellebon said.

She shared the stage with nearly 30 community members in a bid to show what she called the “depth and width of the community” built over her 30 years of work.

“This is about deciding what the vision is and then coalescing a group to bring that vision to fruition,” Pellebon said.

Along with Sabrina Madison, Pellebon will work the Dane County Small Business Progress Tour this spring and summer. The duo will visit small businesses around the county to hear how best to “create and continue progressive business policies to bolster the economy.”

Joe Parisi announced his retirement in October before the official end of his term in May 2025. Parisi is set to officially step down in May 2024, and the special election will take place in November, coinciding with the fall presidential cycle.

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