The pool for mayoral candidates won’t have its incumbent come April.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced Friday she will not run for reelection in what could have led to a third term.
While she said in a statement she is “immensely proud of what I and my team have achieved over the past seven and a half years as we have worked to make Madison a better place and to prepare the path for future success,” she said the “vitriolic, personal attacks,” have become too much.
“How can any leader govern responsibly when personal attacks and baseless conspiracies carry more weight than facts?,” the mayor said. “How can any mayor be effective when a difference of opinion is cast as unforgivable betrayal that justifies threats of violence?”
In spite of the political environment, Rhodes-Conway pointed out that she is happy to have had success in the role, like implementing bus rapid transit, building new homes, launching the CARES program and much more.
“My tenure has been marked by unprecedented challenges including COVID-19 and a state legislature intent on taking away our funding and powers,” she said. “Despite the challenges, we achieved a great deal for those who choose to make Madison home.”
Jason Ilstrup considering a run
Shortly after Rhodes-Conway announced her intent not to run, Downtown Madison Inc. President Ilstrup announced on social media that he is strongly considering running for mayor.
“I’ve heard from neighbors, small business owners, community organizers and longtime friends urging me to run for mayor,” he said on social media. “Over the coming weeks I’ll be taking time to talk with my family and with people across our community about what Madison needs next.”
Ilstrup’s experience includes time as a Peace Corps volunteer, work in the hospitality industry and politics before he became president of Downtown Madison Inc.
“I’ve built my career around serving others,” he said. “Madison is the place I call home and while there are so many reasons people are drawn to our city, not everyone has been a part of its success.
“This is a hard moment for many here in our community. Every Madisonian deserves to prosper and I wholeheartedly believe we can make that happen as we continue to learn from each other, examine our past successes and failures, and envision a future rooted in shared community values.”
Ilstrup said to do that, the city needs to ensure there is affordable housing, support for workers and businesses and that city leaders make sure every resident feels as though city hall is working for them.
