[media-credit name=’SUNDEEP MALLADI/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]University of Wisconsin senior Lauren Woods officially kicked off her campaign for District 8 alder against sophomore Eli Judge Wednesday.

If elected, Woods, a Chicago native, would be the first African-American woman to serve on the City Council and the first woman to serve in District 8 since U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., in the 1980s.

During a press conference at the Red Gym, Woods outlined the major concerns and issues her campaign will focus on, including safety, the downtown bar limit and tenants' rights.

"This campaign is about real issues," Woods said. "There are the downtown safety issues, but there are other issues the 8th District has said are equally important."

In terms of campus safety, Woods said she would make an effort to increase lighting, increase the number of neighborhood officers and fight to get more money for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's downtown safety initiative.

Woods also took a stance against the Alcohol Density Plan — which would limit the number of bars and liquor stores downtown — saying the plan is not something students support.

"It's important to be vigilant … so we are all active in making our community safer," Woods said.

Among the other key issues Woods outlined for the race are tenants' rights and affordable housing, expanding civil rights and focusing on economic justice.

Woods added that though the 8th District is primarily comprised of students, an important goal of hers within the City Council would be to close the gap between neighborhoods that are struggling and those that are affluent.

"She is by far the candidate with the most in-depth knowledge of the issues," said City Council President Austin King, who is Woods' campaign treasurer. "There's no question Lauren Woods is the candidate with the ideas and the candidate with experience."

Judge, Woods' opponent, also said the race for District 8 will be a great "issue-oriented campaign."

An Illinois native as well, Judge said Wisconsin politics have become second nature to him and, as one of the leaders in the Students for a Fair Wisconsin campaign, he has plenty of experience working in the public eye.

"I think my experience with Students for a Fair Wisconsin … really makes me stand out as a candidate and a representative of the 8th District," Judge said. "I've adopted the city of Madison, and … I've been fighting for the rights of real families for all my time in Wisconsin."

Though Judge is younger than his opponent, he said his knowledge and experiences make him just as qualified a candidate.

Woods said her campaign has already earned the respect and support of many city officials, including Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, City Council President Austin King, Democratic State Senator Lena Taylor, Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, and several other campus-area alders.

"I'm excited to be running for office, not just to make history, but to make a real difference in the lives of people who have been left out and left behind," Woods said in a statement. "Madison is a great community with enormous potential, and I will fight to ensure all of its citizens … can share in that prosperity and high quality of life."