Paul Soglin's campaign for Madison Mayor got off to a rowdy start at a fundraiser kickoff featuring close to one hundred friends and residents in attendance showing support for the Democratic candidate at Essen Haus Bar Thursday.
Soglin has held the mayoral position for more years than anyone in the city's history. He served from 1973 to 1979 and again from 1989 to 1997. Many attendees of the kickoff cited his accomplishments during past terms—including the construction of State Street Mall, Monona Terrace and a bike path around Lake Monona—as reasons to support him in the upcoming election.
""He's done a great job in the past and I think we need him to keep moving forward,"" Madison resident David Shepard said.
Soglin said he plans to use models of his previous projects as mayor to guide new projects, such as using the Monona Terrace Commission as a model for the Overture Center Foundation.
A number of long-time Soglin supporters attended the event, hoping to rewrite the results of Soglin's loss in the 2003 race against incumbent Dave Cieslewicz this time around. Newer supporters also agreed they turned to the candidate after dissatisfaction with the decisions of Cieslewicz.
""I think [Cieslewicz] is very repressive and controls people ... specifically the control he exercises over all the alders,"" said Dolores Kester, a resident of the city since the 1960s. ""If they don't agree with him, he won't appoint them to committees.""
Soglin supporters at the kickoff said they believe his history of listening to citizens about issues facing Madison would garner him votes in the primary election Feb. 15.
""He's proven his ability to work with a lot of different people, which is huge in government,"" attendee Terry Bowes said. ""Being able to listen to everybody, that's the biggest thing.""
The candidate also emphasized inclusiveness of citizens as a tenant of his approach to being mayor.
""We're going to provide the opportunity for all of you to solve the city problems,"" Soglin said.
""The role of the mayor is to open the doors, get everyone in the same room, provide them the information ... so that eventually the elected officials can make a wise decision.""
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced their endorsement of Cieslewicz Thursday.
