University of Wisconsin senior Zach Wood is officially running unopposed in Madison’s spring aldermanic election for District 8– a district which spans much of UW’s campus– after the city reached its deadline to file for spring election Tuesday.
Wood will be taking over for Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, who is pursuing a mayoral bid after four years on City Council.
A political science major at UW, and lifelong resident of District 8, Wood said he believes he will be a good fit to represent the district.
“I’ve always been very involved within my community … I’ve realized that local politics, now more than ever is where progress happens,” Wood said.
Though he is running unopposed, Wood said he will still be knocking on neighborhood doors in the district in order to get to know the people he will be representing and take time to listen to issues that matter to them.
Through his combination of civic and educational experience, Wood said he believes he is uniquely qualified to take over the position, and Resnick agreed.
“He is going to do a phenomenal job representing students on campus … and he will live up the very high standards I would have for any of my successors,” Resnick said.
Congratulations to Alder-elect @ZachWood18 @BadgerHerald @dailycardinal pic.twitter.com/8jgb1qnJAU
— Scott Resnick (@sjresnick) January 7, 2015
Resnick said Wood will be a great advocate for students. In a previous article with The Badger Herald, Wood highlighted public safety and access to affordable housing as issues he would like to address.
Wood is the state vice chair of the College Democrats of Wisconsin as well as the founder of I M Power, a nonprofit organization that works to increase civic involvement among young people.
Congratulations to former CDW Vice Chair @ZachWood18 on running unopposed for Madison’s District 8 City Council Seat! pic.twitter.com/BTIlU7QEQm
— College Democrats WI (@CollegeDemsWI) January 7, 2015
Congrats to @ZachWood18 for securing a spot as District 8 Rep on Madison City Council! We are proud of your dedication to students’ rights.
— Dems of UW-Madison (@DemsUWMadison) January 7, 2015
Wood said he hopes to act as a bridge between students and city. There is currently no one serving on city council who is in the immediate age range of most students and Wood said he hopes to strengthen students’ voice inside and outside of the district.
“I think I can definitely bring the student perspective to city hall,” Wood said, “and I think that’s important.”
