While only one local official has officially declared his candidacy for Dane County Executive, State Rep. Joe Parisi, D-Madison, announced Monday he will be forming a committee to help him decide whether to run to replace current County Executive Kathleen Falk.

Falk announced her decision to resign Oct. 4. Around a week later, County Board Chair Scott McDonell announced he would run for the seat. Now, Parisi will create a committee to consider running as well. 

Parisi said the determining factor in his decision would be figuring out where he would have the greatest positive impact on the Dane County community. He said the committee would help him compare the benefits of the executive position against his current seat in the state assembly.

“The news that there is even going to be an election is pretty new,” Parisi said. “I hope to have a decision made within the next few weeks since the election process has been accelerated.”

The committee, acting as an advisory board, would give Parisi advice on what he could accomplish as county executive and his strengths and weaknesses as a candidate.

Up until his reelection to the state assembly, Parisi said he had not given much thought to running for county executive. He said following the fall election, he began talking to others and started contemplating a run for the position.

“Obviously I’m interested in the potential the office holds,” Parisi said.

Although McDonell is currently the lone candidate for county executive, he said he expects many people to enter the race. He added he believes he has strong support across the county with mayors, officials and labor union representatives.

McDonell said the decision to run made sense because he has served 15 years on the County Board and would likely act as an interim county executive before the election.

Dane County Supervisor Eileen Bruskewitz, District 25, is also considering entering the race.

Bruskewitz said the county executive position is important because it impacts student safety. She said as county executive she would have easier access to information to help determine concentrations of activity and ways to combat crime.

McDonell said another way the county executive impacts students is through the chair’s authority in transit operations. He introduced and helped pass the Regional Transit Authority, which he said will have a large impact on students.

The RTA acts as a regional entity to help fund the Madison Metro transit system so student expense is minimized, McDonell said. He added, his campaign will focus on protecting human services, like the transit system and local farming.

“I’m tired of people talking about public service as if it’s a dirty word,” McDonell said. “I’m tired of government workers who teach kids or fight fire being attacked from the far right.”

Another important role Bruskewitz said the county executive holds is aiding job creation. She said the county should do a better job of creating opportunities for students to find careers in Madison.

While Parisi opted for an advisory committee, Bruskewitz said she has been conducting research on her own but still needs to talk with her close confidants before making an official decision.

Parisi joins McDonell and current Verona mayor Jon Hockhammer, who will announce his decision at a press conference today. Hockhammer is currently perceived as the more conservative candidate for the non-partisan seat, along with Bruskewitz.