Another individual announced his candidacy for Mayor of Madison Monday, joining current runners Mayor Paul Soglin and Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, in the race for the nomination.

Christopher Daly joined the crowd of candidates Monday, setting up a five-way race for the Mayor’s Office.

Longtime Mayor Paul Soglin faces new opposition for 2015 election

The 25-year-old Daly, who graduated from University of Wisconsin in 2012 with a degree in radio, television and film, said he never intended to run for elected office, but saw it as a chance to bring about change.

Daly, who has never held public office, said he views his status as a political newcomer as an asset rather than a liability.

“I think it would be a positive actually,” he said.

Being new to the political sphere would allow him to more freely imagine the world as it should be, he said.

Additionally, people are “sick of the same old, same old,” Daly said.

Daly said he plans to address online privacy and safety, sustainability, issues relating to the financial system and food safety and availability.

When asked about the lack of a grocery store in the Allied Dunn community, Daly said the neighborhood would be a prime location for a public market, much like the recently-approved market on East Washington Avenue and First Street.

West side Walgreens to close, leaving residents stranded in “food desert”

Other areas around the city would benefit from a public market as well, he said.

“If we had places where we can grow food year-round, then we could have multiple public markets operating,” he said.

Daly said utilizing currently vacant, city-owned properties to grow food is one way to achieve that goal.

In addition to having a healthy food option close to residents in these areas, multiple public markets would provide good jobs to Madisonians while improving public health, Daly said.

Daly said the city needs to shift its course to meet its goals.

“The direction we are headed is out of sync with where we should be headed,” he said.

Daly joins Soglin, Resnick, a 2007 UW graduate, former District 2 Ald. Bridget Maniaci and Solidarity Singers conductor Brandon Barwick in seeking the mayoral seat.

A primary race February 17, 2015 will narrow the field down to two candidates, who will be on the ballot for the general election April 7, 2015.