Since conservative candidate Ray Allen dropped out of Madison’s mayoral race Oct. 22, all of the remaining six candidates are liberals, leaving voters unsure of how to differentiate the candidates.

Mayor Sue Bauman says voters will cast ballots based on who is most committed to the job.

“A voter needs to look at voting records, accomplishments and promises. They want someone who will lead the city toward the future and bring us forward. The issues will be defined by the voters and how they demand answers from the candidates,” said Bauman, who believes that public safety and housing will be important concerns during this election.

Former Madison mayor and candidate Paul Soglin believes voters are looking for a competent leader.

“Forty percent of Madison’s voting population is liberal. Thirty percent of the population is conservative and 30 percent of the population doesn’t view the election in a left-wing/right-wing continuum,” he said.

“This gives a slight advantage to the liberals, but voters are looking for competency and leadership. I regret that Ray Allen dropped out of the race. He had a presence and brought something to the debates that none of the other candidates had,” he added.

Soglin says key issues in the election include land development, safety and housing problems.

“In the campus area, there is more expensive housing. We need to ensure a larger supply of student housing,” he said.

Bauman agreed.

“We have made progress downtown, though we have a long ways to go, but we recognize that there is a housing problem, and we are adding affordable housing,” she said.

“I am adding the first fire station in Madison in over 40 years–we have had 10 stations since 1962. This is amazing, since we have had such significant growth. I increased the police department by 31, and consistently addressed safety,” she added.

Bauman drew on her experience in the mayoral seat to convince voters of her competence.

“I have six years of experience in office, and I have brought the city to where it is at this time,” Bauman said. “I have handled a number of complex situations successfully, dealing with issues to bring the city forward. In 2003, Madison saw the first decrease in property taxes in longer than anyone on city council can remember.”

Candidate Eugene Parks disagrees with Bauman’s actions.

“Property taxes in Madison have become almost obsolete. We need to provide a local income tax to finance local services,” Parks said. “In Sue Bauman’s six years in office, she does not deal with issues until she is forced to because of impending elections.”

Like Bauman and Soglin, Parks sees student housing as an important issue.

“A large percent of the residents of Madison are students, and they need affordable housing,” he said. “Instead, expensive condominiums for the wealthy and an arts district are being built. The downtown has become a playground for the rich.”

Parks said he is extremely familiar with Madison.

“I spent six years on the common council, and I have 24 years of experience working for the fire department, affirmative action and the transportation department,” Parks said. “I am a lifelong resident of Madison. I was the first black person elected to office in Dane County in 1961. I have worked in the civil and human rights movements, and I’m hoping to pass the torch.”

Parks said he does not identify himself as a liberal.

“The term is overused and abused. It no longer conveys what it should. There are many pseudo-liberals in this race who are actually quite conservative.”

Other Madison officials insist the race is confusing.

“It’s hard [to distinguish the candidates],” said Ald. Dorothy Borchardt, District 12. “I’m very disappointed that Ray isn’t running. Paul Soglin is more toward the center than the others.

“I won’t know who to vote for until I listen to all of them. It looks as though Soglin is going to win as of now–though I’ve been wrong before. He’s going to bring the community together. I would be surprised if Sue Bauman made it through the primaries," she added.

Other Madison residents expressed disappointment in the race's lack of conservative candidates.

“I’m very disappointed that Ray Allen dropped out–he was a very good conservative and a good candidate,” said Anthony Carver, president of Students for Ron Greer.

“It’s just going to be more of the same–I’m not surprised. It’s difficult for a conservative to win in Madison. As usual, a liberal will run against an ultra-liberal, and they will try and paint each other as conservative. I probably won’t vote for anyone.”