As interested parties are beginning to turn their attention to the Dane County Board of Supervisors race, Madison College student Michael Johnson said he is considering running for the District 5 seat.

Supervisor Wyndham Manning, District 5, who currently occupies the seat, announced in early October he will not be running for a second term.

Although he does not have any concrete plans for his own candidacy, Johnson said he knows what students are looking for in a candidate.

“We really need a passionate, progressive advocate not only for issues of the student district but for issues at the county level,” Johnson said.

Johnson listed the fair housing ordinance, domestic partnership benefits ordinance, and labor and environmental reform as critical issues that will require a proactive supervisor.

Johnson co-founded the student chapter of Progressive Dane and currently serves on the Madison Affirmative Action Committee. He also briefly was in the race for the District 8 City Council seat before withdrawing for personal reasons.

Progressive Dane Co-Chair Jacque Pokorney said Johnson has been very active both in the organization’s full membership and the student chapter. Johnson’s recent election to the Progressive Dane Steering Committee reflects his dedication to local politics, Pokorney said.

Progressive Dane’s Election Committee is currently interviewing all potential candidates seeking the organization’s endorsement. The full membership will vote Dec. 16 to determine who receives endorsements.

While Johnson has not received an official endorsement, Pokorney said she believes he will.

“He is definitely very passionate about progressive politics, so I think he’ll be a great candidate,” Pokorney said.

An endorsement from College Democrats is less certain. According to College Democrats Chair Molly Rivera, the organization will not take a stance on Johnson or any other candidate until it evaluates each official candidate and completes a formal endorsement process.

Whomever College Democrats endorse, Rivera said, must bring a strong student voice to the board.

“We want someone who understands what students want on the county level and someone that will then implement the policies that will benefit students,” Rivera said.

Analiese Eicher, a College Democrats member, confirmed her candidacy for the seat but said she will not answer questions until her official announcement later this week.

College Republicans Chair Crystal Lee said the organization is looking for greater accessibility — and in particular, more office hours — from a potential candidate to enhance student participation in local government.

“It’s really important that the person who’s running and the person who wins talks to the people they represent very closely and directly,” Lee said.

Lee said College Republicans will not endorse any candidate until next semester.