With the departure of Ald. Bryon Eagon, the race for District 8 attracted three candidates to represent the heart of the University of Wisconsin campus.
Having spoken with all three candidates, this editorial board has decided to refrain from making an endorsement for the primary election. There are, however, some things we feel an informed voter should know about each of them and we strongly encourage readers falling within the district to brief themselves on the issues and exercise their democratic right to vote today.
Kyle Szarzynski, a UW-Madison senior and former Badger Herald columnist, was the first candidate to enter the race in November of last year – when Eagon was still undecided as to whether or not he would run again. Szarzynski’s progressive platform largely revolves around five key issues: safety, tenant rights and housing, labor rights, social justice and expanded downtown entertainment.
Besides being involved in numerous community activities such as the Sierra Club and Citizen Action, Szarzynski served in student government as vice chair for the Student Services Finance Committee. He boasts endorsements from the local political party Progressive Dane, the Teaching Assistants’ Association and former Dist. 2 Alder Brenda Konkel, among others.
The next candidate to emerge was Scott Resnick, a UW grad and former head of the State-Langdon Neighborhood Association. As an undergrad, Resnick was involved in College Democrats – serving on the group’s executive board – and interned in the office of state Rep. Donna Siedel of Wausau. Resnick also has the distinction of being endorsed by the outgoing Eagon.
Resnick’s experience as president of State-Langdon informs his views on city policy. He would like to substantially revise the Alcohol Licensing Density Ordinance to attract more venues for 18+ students while maintaining a safe downtown. He’s also interested in cost-effectively streamlining the city’s technological needs, stemming from his business experience as a co-founder of a local web and mobile design company.
Recent UW journalism grad Christian von Preysing-Berry has failed to garner much support among established political powers in Madison, but has been dedicated in his on-foot campaign efforts. Some may recognize von Preysing-Berry’s name in connection with the movement to move the city’s Halloween festivities from State Street to Mifflin Street, as he and his friends started the grassroots movement in 2008.
Along with the usual interests in alcohol and housing policy, von Preysing-Berry has also expressed concern over the Charter Street plant. Though the plant technically falls outside city jurisdiction, von Preysing-Berry said residents of that area should have a larger voice in the planning process.
As the position of alder is technically a nonpartisan position, the field of three will be narrowed to the two candidates with the most votes. The eventual winner will represent the UW student voice at the city level for two years, so it’s important to vote for the candidate who is most in-touch with campus needs. Or something.
