The mayoral candidates have been hitting the streets campaigning for votes in the upcoming primaries. With the primary Feb. 18, two names seem the most recognizable to voters, current Mayor Sue Bauman and former mayor Paul Soglin, because they have both held the office before.
\Being an incumbent, when we respond to questions, we're the ones where you get an answer that rings true, because we've been there,"" Bauman said.
However, the incumbents are also the only candidates subject to criticism of their records. Opponents continue to bring up mistakes Bauman and Soglin have made, but they both tout their past accomplishments.
Soglin said he is proud of his work on the transit system, building State Street Mall and making substantial improvements in all neighborhoods. Bauman cited her support for public libraries, getting more people of color to serve on city committees and increasing police and fire protection.
Bauman has served as mayor since 1997 and previously served 12 years on City Council. Soglin has served six terms as mayor, from 1973 to 1979, and 1989 to 1997. He left office in 1979 and ran a private law practice. Then, halfway through his sixth term in 1997, he left to run for U.S. House of Representatives.
With six candidates running for the same position and the majority of them leaning toward the left, both Bauman and Soglin have been portrayed as the more conservative candidates.
For example, Bauman said she is in favor of local sales taxes, a move other candidates disapprove of because they said the tax is regressive and would hurt low-income families.
Soglin said the reason for this portrayal is because they both plan to make inclusionary zoning, a plan for developers to include a portion of affordable housing in every new development, voluntary. Many other candidates said they believe the program will not work unless it is mandatory.
""I understand how [the conservative portrayal] has evolved. I know my politics are to the left and I'm progressive,"" he said.
Soglin said the reason he is running for his seventh term is because he has seen a breakdown of the way the city is run. The majority of Bauman and Soglin's criticisms have been directed toward each other at most public forums.
""Paul has been attacking me and I just snapped back,"" Bauman said.
Citing the loss of Epic Systems, 5301 Tokay Blvd., to Verona and the State Street riots on Halloween, Soglin said he sees things that are wrong with the city.
""We're seeing things that happen that are avoidable,"" Soglin said.
Yet Bauman feels the city has improved under her tenure as mayor.
""Things are going well, why would you change horses in mid-stream?"" she said.
Both candidates said they are looking for support from citizens who have seen their work as mayor.
""They know what I've done as mayor and generally, I think they approve,"" Soglin said.
