My name is Analiese Eicher. I am a senior here at UW-Madison and a candidate for the Dane County Board of Supervisors in District 5. I am very excited for this opportunity to serve the Madison campus community.

I was born and raised just south of here in Janesville, Wis.. My parents, a biology teacher and a school psychologist, raised my two younger brothers and me with drive to be the best we could be. They taught us the importance of volunteering, have compassion for others, to appreciate and care for the environment and to make the most out of life regardless of the situation.

UW was always where I planned on attending college — with an incredible academic reputation, student organizations for every interest and a sports program that had the opportunity to beat Ohio State and Michigan every year, it was, and still is, the place I wanted to be. My first week here I learned all the football cheers with the other freshmen, took my backpack with all my books in it to the first day of class, went to Frank’s for dinner with my entire dorm floor and wandered the student org fair with no less than five of my new friends. It was there I realized just how active the student body is and how I could become involved in activism for all I care about.

Political groups and public service groups on campus became how I would encompass all of my interests and make a difference on all fronts. I interned for Rep.Tammy Baldwin’s successful reelection campaign in 2006, and the relationships I made during that experience led me to the Associated Students of Madison’s internship program and the Diversity Committee. I furthered my involvement on campus through the College Democrats and local elections in the student seats. 2008 provided me the opportunity to work for the women who inspired me to become involved in public service as I worked alongside my peers to turn out votes for Hillary Clinton on campus during the primary, and served as campus coordinator for Tammy Baldwin’s reelection campaign in the fall.

I believe strongly in public service, and this belief in public service has me asking what more can I do and how can I best apply myself to serve those around me. I also find myself constantly inspired by the work of those around me. Our campus has an incredibly active student body, and in my experience I have had the opportunity to work with many of these students. I have seen the campus environmental groups working hard to bring awareness to the importance of a healthy environment, the campus political and social groups address issues of the health of our community and the safety of our campus, and I have witnessed the way the national recession is affecting the local economy and the daily lives of students. It is because of you, the students, and your passions for these causes that I have been inspired and encouraged to run for supervisor. I believe positive change can be best enacted on the local level and I believe I have the experience and passion to be the best representative for students on the county board.

Dane County has an effective Human Services Department whose successes recently made national news. Thousands of people, including students, benefit from these services daily and the need for these services becomes greater every day. Continuing to appropriately fund these programs is important for the continued health of our community, as is funding programs like the Dane County Rape Crisis Center and services that provide assistance to victims of domestic violence. Supporting the partnership between county law enforcement and Madison police as they address violence and crime is important to student safety. Appropriate, short-term enforcement that yields long term solutions leads to a safer campus community. Many of us enjoy the benefits of Lake Mendota and living in downtown Madison. It is important that the county continues to enact policies that ensure cleaner lakes and better air quality.

The decisions made by the county board affect our everyday lives, and previous student supervisors have failed to bring attention to this relationship. The future of Dane County needs the ideas and actions of students. If we do not step up, contribute and participate in our local government, then our future will be decided for us. By voting in local elections and participating in local government student voices can be heard, and I will make sure they are on the county board.

I look forward to meeting you and talking with you over the next few months, and in that time I hope to earn your support and your vote.