Madison City Commission -- We Have a Contest!

We have our first real contest of the year for elected office here in Madison: MDL reports that Scott Delzer has officially joined Monica Campbell in the race for the two open seats on the City Commission. A third Madison resident, Nick Abraham, is circulating his petition right now. Three candidates, two seats -- yahoo! We have a contest!

And we have a contest between a diverse group of candidates. Campbell, 48, is a DSU grad who has lived here almost 30 years. She works part time in the office at Thrivent where her husband Tim sells insurance. She's also subbed at the high school and middle school and been active in AAUW and the band parents association. Business training and background and appreciation of education and culture.

Delzer, 37, has lived here for 17 years and works at Credit/Commission Soup as a client development director. He's also been active with in local politics, serving as Russ Olson's campaign treasurer [PDF alert]. Business and marketing.

Abraham, the youngest of three at 29, could be the grumpy old man of the group (and I use that term with potential approval). A mechanic and delivery truck driver, he lives in the southeast part of town, an area he says (and I would agree) hasn't had much representation on the commission. He doesn't like the cities decision to close the railroad crossing just up Garfield Ave. from his house, and he also thinks his neighborhood is getting short shrift on snow removal from the city. Hmm... how about a little more blue-collar representation on the commission?

I am pleased to see that all three have lived here pretty much all of their adult lives. But all three offer some different perspectives on life in Madville. If Abraham does indeed turn in his petitions, we should have some interesting discussions in the run-up to the April 8 election.

Now, where are all those school board candidates?

And hey, don't forget the Madville Times District 8 caucus! We're still beating the bushes for candidates for the Legislature, so submit your nominations here!