[media-credit name=’RAY PFEIFFER/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]With spring elections on the horizon, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz announced his campaign for re-election Thursday against challenger Ray Allen.

Cieslewicz, who was elected mayor in April 2003, said he has worked to develop Madison economically and in terms of safety.

"In the last four years, we've gotten our city moving again. … We can't stop now," Cieslewicz said at a press conference. "The biggest challenge we face in the next four years is the one we've met during the last four years: growth."

If elected mayor again, Cieslewicz added, he would continue to protect the environment, develop the downtown with a "pro-business" outlook and continue to make Madison a "welcoming place for everyone" by protecting civil rights. Cieslewicz also said one of the most important things he will take upon himself if re-elected in April will be to protest the state's marriage amendment.

In an interview with The Badger Herald, the mayor said the student vote is critical to his campaign. In 2003, Cieslewicz added, he won the entire election by just 1,200 votes and also won in the campus area by 1,200 votes.

"We'll work hard to get the student vote out — it's traditionally a little bit harder in the spring election since students tend to focus on national races," the mayor said. "It's definitely a demographic I want to appeal to."

Cieslewicz also said he will have a campus coordinator on the campaign. In the past, he added, he has done well reaching out to the student population.

The mayor also said he hopes the high student-voter turnout seen in the fall election will continue through spring.

"The students did turn out pretty strongly in the last mayoral election four years ago," Cieslewicz said. "If we can get that same level of interest and excitement, that would be great."

Mayoral candidate Ray Allen, who is also the publisher of The Madison Times, said the student vote is important in every election. Allen said his goal is to work closely with students not just during the election to get their vote, but also throughout the year.

"I would want to work closely with the students all year long, and not just on the issues of Halloween," Allen said. "I think we need to have a complete dialogue with the students at UW."

If elected mayor, Allen added, he would place a higher priority on fiscal responsibility and public safety than Cieslewicz.

According to Allen, crime in Madison is up 6 to 7 percent, and the city could be doing more to combat the increase. When the idea of increasing the number of city police officers was first introduced, Allen said he was one of the main supporters, while the mayor remained against the proposal.

Cieslewicz has been "very slow" to react to public safety issues, he added.

"I think we have to have a comprehensive plan," Allen said. "I'm running for mayor because city hall's misplaced priorities are hurting our quality of life."