Less than a week after announcing his candidacy for alder of Madison’s 8th district, Michael Johnson sent an e-mail to his supporters Sunday saying he is withdrawing his candidacy for personal reasons.
Johnson said in the e-mail he is ending his campaign, effective immediately “because of a number of different factors, mainly a developing family situation.”
Campaign Treasurer Chynna Haas said Johnson made the decision over the weekend after discussing it with his advisors and family members.
“He intends to remain just as active as he’s always been,” Haas said, adding that given the circumstances, this is the best choice for Johnson.
Current District 8 Ald. Eli Judge, a University of Wisconsin senior, announced last Monday he would not be running again in the April election because he will be graduating and attending law school.
“I think there is some virtue in having a student serve the 8th district,” Judge said, adding that by May he will no longer be a student.
District 8, which is about 98 percent UW students, encompasses the central campus and downtown area.
Since Judge’s decision, there has been speculation as to who will fill his empty seat.
No other candidates have formally announced they will be running for the position.
Haas said there have been several conversations about someone to run on the same platform as Johnson, but added they are not releasing any names.
At his formal announcement last Wednesday, Johnson told supporters he would focus on tenant rights, social justice, responsible economic development and environmental sustainability.
“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 is a co-founder of the student chapter of Progressive Dane, and has been involved in many activist movements, such as immigrant rights.
Dane County Supervisor Wyndam Manning, District 5, introduced Johnson at the event and said he saw him as an ally in local government.
People supporting Johnson’s campaign were told in the e-mail they would be receiving any contributions back and anyone intending to contribute was encouraged to donate money to the tenant resource center.
“The general feeling of the campaign is that we fully support his decision,” Haas said.
