Though spring break scattered University of Wisconsin students across the globe, Madison's student-dominated District 8 elected a new representative to the City Council April 3: UW sophomore Eli Judge.
Earning 55 percent of the vote, Judge defeated UW senior Lauren Woods, who collected 44 percent. Nearly 1 percent — 8 of 935 votes — was won by write-in candidates.
Winning the District 8 seat, which represents parts of central campus and the southeast dorms, Judge will replace outgoing City Council President Austin King, who is leaving his position to attend law school.
"Eli's going to vote the same way I would have on every issue, … so it's not exactly a loss vote to the issues I care about," said King, a supporter of Woods during her campaign. "I think Eli has a lot to learn about city government, but I think he has a mind up to the task."
King called Judge a "good progressive" and said he will serve his community well. Woods, though disappointed by the outcome, agreed with King.
"[Judge] has a lot of good ideas for our community," said Woods, who led Judge in campaign fundraising. "I did what I could. … I think I'm happy to see so many students get involved this year."
Two years ago, about half the people voted in the District 8 race as this year. Though exact numbers won't be released for several days, officials have estimated an increase in absentee voting since candidates and organizations have been more active in promoting the election.
"Given the fact that it was in the middle of spring break, the different programs that many different student organizations … [helped] people getting signed up for absentee ballots, really helped students voice their opinions on this race even though they're not actually here," Judge said.
Neither of the candidates held large victory parties last Tuesday night, partially because many friends and supporters were out of town for the week. Judge attentively watched the results trickle in with a few friends at Memorial Union, and Woods awaited the results with friends from the comfort of her home in Madison.
But shortly after news outlets announced the results, Judge and company darted across town to support Madison lawyer Linda Clifford in her state Supreme Court race against Washington County Circuit Court Judge Annette Ziegler.
Ziegler defeated Clifford with 482,664 statewide votes — or 72 percent of the total vote — according to The Associated Press. Clifford called Ziegler shortly before 10 p.m. to concede the race.
Ziegler will replace retiring Justice Jon Wilcox on the seven-member court starting Aug. 1.
Also last Tuesday, incumbent Ald. Robbie Webber, District 5, defeated opponent Troy Thiel, a local Realtor, with 763 votes — or 55 percent — to 602 votes — or 42 percent. Madison's 5th District covers much of the university's west side housing.
"The campus and student votes were the margin that won the race," Webber said. "I feel like it's finals week, and I don't even care if I fail, I just want it to be over, … but it feels good."
The newly elected alders, who serve two-year terms, will be sworn into office April 17 and will then elect a new City Council president.
