While he thinks current Mayor Paul Soglin has done well serving Madison, recently announced mayoral candidate Richard Brown said he thinks it’s time for a change.
“Everybody has a place. There’s a time for everything, and he had his time,” Brown said. “I have nothing negative to say about anyone who dedicated their life to public service, but I feel that we need a new fresh outlook. We need to get out of that ‘Soglin box’ that we’re all stuck in.”
In addition to Brown, the mayoral race is currently between Soglin, Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, and former Common Council member Bridget Maniaci. From 1973 until present, Soglin has served seven terms as Madison’s mayor.
Brown served as a Dane County Board supervisor for three terms, was the chairman of Personnel and Finance for one term, worked in accounting and also coached high school football.
This broad range of experiences is what separates him from the other mayoral candidates, Brown said.
“I’m not just a politician, I haven’t been a career politician. I’ve done it all. I’m you, I’m actually the citizen,” Brown said. “It wasn’t my desire to run [for mayor] … but since no one stepped up, I decided to step up for this important thing to do.”
Brown said if he were elected, his main areas of concern would be tax issues, housing affordability and disparities in jobs and hiring practices.
The biggest priority is holding the line on taxes, Brown said, and he thinks currently Madison residents are being overtaxed. As far as disparities, Brown said he wants to make sure that anyone who wants a chance to succeed gets that chance.
“If you’re willing to work hard and sacrifice and do what you’re supposed to do, then you should have an opportunity to succeed,” Brown said. “That’s what my whole hope is.”
As a University of Wisconsin alumnus, Brown said he also places a high priority on helping students in Madison.
Brown said his time at the university helped him understand the problems relevant to college students.
“I understand the issues that our students face, I understand them because I did it,” Brown said. “I believe we need to work together to try to help students, because if we help them, they’ll stay here, and I want them to stay here in Madison. We want the best and the brightest.”
Looking ahead to the Feb. 17 primary election, Brown said he feels good about his chances. Because of his experiences in various private and public jobs and his active role in the community, he hopes his message will start gaining support as the election draws closer.
“I love this city and I love helping people. I believe it’s going to resonate,” Brown said.
