The effort to recall Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz concluded Friday, with its proponents failing to garner the necessary number of signatures to succeed in their endeavor.

According to Heather Mees, head of the Madison branch of Citizens for Responsible Government, which spearheaded the recall effort, the attempt was not a total failure, however.

"Even if we [didn't] gather the necessary amount of signatures, I still think the effort will be seen as a success," she said. "We have brought to light a lot of the mayor's anti-business policies. I think if nothing else citizens will look at the mayor a lot more critically than they once had."

Cieslewicz said the recall effort would not deter him from continuing Madison on its path forward.

"From the beginning, I have viewed this Milwaukee-based recall effort as a chance to talk about my record as mayor," Cieslewicz said in a release. "Since I took office in 2003, we have created over 4700 new jobs in Madison and maintained one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation."

The mayor also pointed out the awards Madison has earned while he has been in office.
"Our community is consistently winning national recognition for being one of America's most livable communities, and one of the best places anywhere to do business," Cieslewicz added. "By overwhelmingly rejecting the recall effort, Madisonians have sent a strong message that they want to keep our city moving forward."

To have been successful, the CRG would have had to collect 34,520 signatures in 30 days. Mees said the group had collected about 7,000 signatures as of Nov. 17, but added the CRG had not yet tabulated the final number.

Cieslewicz took the failed recall effort as a compliment and a nod that he has been doing a good job.

"I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the past two years, and appreciate the continued support of Madisonians as we continue to make our city an even better place to live and work," he said.