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Just two days after Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, announced he would not be running for reelection next year, the race to fill his seat has already begun.

Madison Area Technical College student Michael Johnson officially announced his candidacy for alder of District 8, 98 percent of which is composed of students.

“I believe that students demand an unabashedly progressive representative for their unabashedly progressive district, who will fight to ensure that student concerns are brought to the forefront,” Johnson said.

Johnson laid out his four-tiered platform that focuses on tenant rights, social justice, responsible economic development and environmental sustainability.

If elected, Johnson said he would continue Judge’s fight for tenant rights by proposing the creation of a landlord licensing review board, where the actions of all Madison landlords would be monitored.

Johnson said he is not a stranger to fighting for social justice. In the past he has organized rallies to defend immigrant rights, organized homeless benefits and protested racism.

Johnson added he would propose a domestic partnership benefits ordinance that would be modeled after the recently passed Dane County ordinance, and would also support the paid sick leave referendum for local workers as a means to achieve responsible economic development.

Other issues Johnson said he would support are bike-friendly urban designs, increasing green building requirements and encouraging future developments to accommodate solar energy systems.

Johnson praised Judge for being accessible to the student population and said continuing this positive relationship would be one of his goals.

University of Wisconsin senior and supporter Samir Jaber said it is Johnson’s commitment to students that sets him apart.

“He is really dedicated to working with students, learning their wants and meeting their needs,” Jaber said. “He’s the right person for this job.”

Campaign manager and UW junior Adam Breihan echoed Jaber’s support.

“The most inspiring thing is his energy,” Breihan said. “He is passionate and wants to see these things get done. He is also very familiar with the issues. It is this familiarity and passion that make him a great leader.”

Johnson, a co-founder of the student chapter of Progressive Dane, was introduced by UW graduate and Dane County Supervisor Wyndham Manning, District 5, who said he has a particularly vested interest in this election.

“I look to the person who holds this position to be my ally in city governance, and an ally is what I have found in Michael Johnson,” Manning said.

While Manning offered his support to Johnson, he will not make an official endorsement until all other potential candidates join the race.

No other candidates have officially expressed interest in the race for Madison’s City Council.