In the District 8 City Council race between Kami Eshraghi and Austin King, we endorse Eshraghi. This endorsement is more a matter of calling out King on his record rather than supporting Eshraghi for his platform.
Austin King has been behind questionable proposals that have not served his student constituency. While he claims to be a champion of student issues, his record indicates otherwise.
By voting for the smoking ban, he has alienated business owners and many students. The proposal needs modification to be useful and Eshraghi said he does not support the ban.
By authoring legislation to move up the earliest date to show apartments, King has left many scrambling in the unforgiving downtown housing market.
When King first ran for office two years ago, his plan for the minimum wage was realistic and would tie increases to inflation. In pursuing a citywide increase, he has gone back on that workable promise.
While Eshraghi has not offered many new ideas and we disagree with his stance on the date to show apartments, he is an acceptable alternative. As a local business owner, he will remain focused on the district and bring civility that King lacks.
In the race for District 13 alder between Isadore Knox Jr. and Sarah King, we endorse Knox.
Knox has plenty of experience working within the district to promote business opportunity. He has articulated the need to promote neighborhood growth through mixed-income housing and good schools, while taking into account environmental concerns as well.
King has not effectively articulated a plan for neighborhood growth, choosing to focus on vague environmental issues instead of real plans for growth. Her ideas are idealistic, while Knox's are much more practical, and he is better equipped to implement them.
We endorse incumbent Robbie Webber in the District 5 race against Ben Moga. She has developed a proven record that should not be overlooked. Webber sponsored the big box law setting design limits on big retail outlets and a fertilizer phosphorus ban to curb lake pollution. In addition, she sponsored the law requiring landlords to provide exterior door locks on rental units, which has been enormously important for students. Moga, though a worthy opponent, has few new ideas and less experience. Webber has worked professionally and tirelessly for Madison and voters should reward her with another term.
