For the first time in four years, University of Wisconsin students will have a new voice in our city government. Austin King's tenure has highlighted the power that students can have; indeed, King is the outgoing president of Madison's City Council — no small feat for the student representative.
Two candidates intend to replace King. Lauren Woods, a former president of the Black Student Union, will face off against Eli Judge, the chair of Students for a Fair Wisconsin. Both are qualified, intelligent leaders that will represent students well in the next two years. Although the race will without a doubt focus on their different experiences and ideas, both are respected, articulate and passionate student leaders that have a great deal in common.
The College Democrats welcome a spirited, issue-oriented debate over the future of the 8th District and Madison as a whole. We greatly appreciate the ideas like neighborhood policing that Woods brings to the table, and value the insight that she brings to this race as a person of color. At our own university, race-related issues, ranging from hate crimes to unacceptable retention rates of minority students, only underscore the need for strong voices that leaders like Woods provide in our ongoing search for true progress.
Eli Judge also brings many positives to the table, and has built a strong record as a recognizable campus leader through his valuable work against the gay-marriage ban. Ultimately, either candidate will excel as an alder. Last night, our general membership, following an informational debate between the two candidates, voted to endorse Eli Judge in the 8th District. The College Democrats feel that due to Judge's record as a student leader, his emphasis on reaching out to students and student leaders and his commitment to improving campus safety, he is the best choice for 8th District alder.
Most students are familiar with Judge due to the November elections. Indeed, as the cofounder and chair of Students for a Fair Wisconsin, Judge built an organization with more than 300 active members in a relatively short timeframe. His work and emphasis on the power that students can wield at the ballot box led to the one of the highest midterm turnouts at UW. The College Democrats were proud to serve alongside him and Fair Wisconsin, and we were daily inspired by the energy that he brought to our collective efforts.
But what is truly impressive is his ability to bring students together. Judge initially served as the "student organization director" for the group Students for Equality (which later changed names to Students for a Fair Wisconsin), and in this role sought out allies in the amendment fight. After his peers expressed confidence in his leadership by elevating him to chair, he continued reaching out to organizations across campus. He also showed enthusiasm for working with students of all political backgrounds. It is this ability to bridge difficult divides and build consensus that will serve him well as he represents us on the Common Council.
It is no surprise that he has already brought students together in the early days of his campaign. Judge has specifically sought out leaders and experts on the various issues that are facing our campus. From business owners to labor leaders to campus safety experts in organizations like PAVE and at the Rape Crisis Center, Judge is going straight to the source to craft solutions to the most serious problems — instead of automatically taking stances based on politics or partisanship. He is also eagerly listening to the students he wishes to represent, which only highlights his desire to truly serve as the campus voice by taking our ideas and needs directly to the city government.
Judge also understands the seriousness of campus safety. If elected, Eli will enact a campus-wide safety network similar to the Langdon Street Watch Program. He will also work with Madison leaders to fund increased lighting with higher-watt bulbs, and use the lighting system along Observatory Drive as a model for the rest of campus. Expanding transportation options like SAFE Nighttime Services, in combination with higher law enforcement presence in areas where recent assaults and muggings have taken place, is also part of his comprehensive plan. Judge also plans to facilitate improved communications between UW administration, Madison police and students to raise awareness about the risks on our campus.
The stakes may never be higher in the 8th District; it faces issues including Halloween, tenants' rights, transportation issues and increased danger at night. Both Lauren and Eli are qualified to address these problems. We are more confident, however, in the promise Eli holds, and encourage all students to stand with us to elect Eli Judge as our representative on the City Council.
Eli Lewien is the chair of the College Democrats of Madison.
