As the Madison mayoral race heats up, the candidates are making an effort to reach out to one of the largest voting blocs in the city, the student population. Dave Cieslewicz, running on the Progressive Dane ticket, appeared at Hillel Wednesday to chat with students.
\A lot of things that are good for Madison wind up as being good for the students,"" Cieslewicz said, citing tenants rights, limiting urban sprawl and improving State Street as some of his main issues.
Students used the forum to question Cieslewicz on his stances on issues. Several students cited concerns with law enforcement beyond State Street.
Dan Bergrin, a UW-Madison junior said, ""We'd like to see more security [on Langdon Street] so it's not always on us to ensure the safety of people coming to our fraternity.""
Cieslewicz also criticized Paul Soglin's positions on mass transit and regionalism in the Madison/Dane County region.
""We're both for regionalism, but I really mean it,"" Cieslewicz said. ""I support a regional transit system, regional housing; Paul is more skeptical. He is a 'Madison first' kind of guy.""
Despite a lower than expected turnout, attributed to the loss of WiscMail e-mail services for several days, the students said they were impressed with the forum.
UW-Madison junior Chris Bermant said he felt his limited knowledge of the candidates was representative of the general student population.
""I don't know much about either candidate,"" he said. ""I'm not very politically involved. I want to know what issues the candidates think are important.""
Eric Phillips, campus coordinator for the Cieslewicz For Mayor Campaign, said Cieslewicz would be meeting students on every corner of the campus.
Bermant said he was impressed with Cieslewicz.
""I'm looking for the candidate as a person, if they're a person of integrity, a person that can be trusted,"" he said.
Matt Canter, the Hillel Program Associate, said he was contacted by both candidates to set up a student-oriented forum. Paul Soglin will come to Hillel today at 7 p.m.
""I think it's important to get out the student vote, to help educate students on the issues,"" Canter said. ""I would like to see the candidates connect to students and show them how important [the election] is.\
