Dave Cieslewicz
Isthmus sent email questionnaires to each candidate for Madison mayor. Here is what they had to say about themselves, why they're running and what they hope to achieve.
Dave Cieslewicz
Age: 51
Campaign website: daveformadison.com
Current employment: City of Madison
Relevant experience (in 75 words or less): Served as Mayor of Madison the past eight years.
Please answer the following questions in 100 words or less.
1. Why are you running?
I'm proud of what I've accomplished as mayor and I'm asking Madison voters for another four years because I see the enormous potential for where we can go in the future. Madison has always been a leader in all we do, and the next step is to be a worldwide leader in the new economy. After years of successful partnerships between the city, the private sector, UW-Madison & Madison College, and all levels of government, all the pieces are in a position to compete globally and attract and retain talent, innovation, and, most importantly, sustainable job creation.
2. What do you think is the single most important issue facing the city of Madison?
The new legislature and governor will create a challenge for Madison. Their campaign pledges read like an attack on a modern economy, and our ability to defend the city from regressive policies will define our chances at thriving in the new economy. So much is at stake -- regional transit, the domestic partnership registry, stem cell research, investments in locally produced fuel sources, our world class university, and so much more. I believe we got a taste of what's to come when Governor-elect Scott Walker turned down high-speed rail.
3. Name an official recently elected in Wisconsin whom you admire? Why?
Tammy Baldwin. She's smart, principled, tough, unapologetic about her progressive politics, and just about the nicest person you'd want to meet.
4. Can you name two specific areas in which you think city spending could be cut?
One area is to weatherize buildings and significantly cut energy costs in the process. The other area where we can cut spending is by purchasing more efficient vehicles and saving on fuel costs. Overall, we have enormous potential to not only make our city greener, but to save money in the process.
5. Identify one or two areas in which the city could raise new revenue.
Our golf courses are making money for the first time in a decade or so, and there is an opportunity to increase that going forward.
6. Name an initiative or program that you would launch?
The New Economy Partnership. This would be a coalition of the City, County, UW-Madison, Madison College, the school district, and other Madison and Dane County business partners to make the case publicly and in the legislature for aspects of a modern economy: stem cell research, funding for education, transit initiatives including rail, domestic partner benefits, clean energy initiatives and more.
7. If you were forced to drop out of the race unexpectedly, which of the remaining candidates would you vote for and why?
I'd ask Russ Feingold to move to Madison and run as a write in.
