Scott Resnick claimed the student-dominated District 8 seat on the Madison City Council Tuesday night, a victory he attributes to intense grassroots campaigning.
Resnick edged out challenger Kyle Szarzynski, earning 1,180 votes to 880. Resnick said he was humbled by the victory and plans to “hit the ground running” to become an effective alder and community leader.
He says he’s itching to begin his term and hopes to follow in his predecessors’ footsteps by continuing to reach out to the student community.
“I can’t be making any rookie mistakes,” Resnick said.
A cornerstone of Resnick’s campaign was a proposal that would require landlords to change locks after each tenant turnover. He said he is hoping to pass the policy as his first action on the City Council as early as the lease turnover date of August 15.
Resnick credited his campaign for countless hours of hard work and creating a strong grassroots movement.
On the night before the election, Resnick said he and a team of volunteers completed a round of “midnight madness” where the group distributed nearly 4,000 flyers around the district. Upon seeing the box of flyers, he said he thought there was no way they would pass out every paper.
Resnick said he was “shocked and floored” that the group managed to get the campaign literature out in just an hour and a half.
He added the rush of “midnight madness” exemplified the hardworking tone of the campaign, which was characterized by hours of knocking on doors and talking to people. He said these elements made a huge difference in the success of the campaign as opposed to just slipping flyers under doors.
Resnick also thanked the Young Progressives who, in a surprise move, endorsed Resnick instead of Szarzynski, who many regarded as the more progressive candidate.
“Obviously I’m disappointed [with the loss],” Szarzynski said. “This is a defeat for progressives on campus.”
Emphasizing an “unabashedly” progressive campaign, he said he felt his team offered a principled message. Reflecting on the campaign, Szarzynski said he believed in his message and stands by his original intentions.
Sam Polstein, Resnick’s campaign manager, said the campaign’s success stemmed from Resnick’s willingness to knock on doors, talk to voters and be personable. He said the campaign was well organized and supported by an effective get-out-the-vote effort.
Earning the endorsement of current Ald. Bryon Eagon, District 8, also lent momentum to his campaign, Resnick said.
He also credited the smoothness of his campaign to loyal, hardworking volunteers along with his past experience as a member of the College Democrats at UW-Madison.
