Jason Ilstrup, president of Downtown Madison Inc., announced his candidacy for Madison mayor on Tuesday, bringing the total number of declared candidates to nine, according to WMTV15 News. Ilstrup said his decision stems from a love for Madison and a desire for “more proactive leadership” that “rolls up its sleeves” to address long‑standing community challenges.
The Cap Times reported that Ilstrup launched his campaign at the Neighborhood House Community Center, where he served on the board for more than a decade. He highlighted a platform that includes revising zoning to improve housing affordability, cutting regulatory steps and fees to help small businesses start, and boosting the city’s responsiveness to residents.
Joining Ilstrup are former City Council members Brian Benford and Syed Abbas, former Dane County Board member April Kigeya, One City Schools CEO Kaleem Caire, athletic trainer and Monkey Bar Gym owner Jon Hinds, hospitality and food‑service director Larry Williams, and former Golden Gloves boxer and east‑side bartender Marcus Johnson, as listed by the Cap Times. The field also includes former City Council member Brian Benford, who cited the July 22 police shooting of Corey Ruiz as a catalyst for his return to politics, and former City Council president Syed Abbas, who emphasized housing, fiscal responsibility, social and environmental justice, and regional transit in his platform.
Mayor Satya Rhodes‑Conway has filed a declaration of non‑candidacy, confirming she will not seek a third term, a fact noted by both outlets. Candidates for the spring elections must file final paperwork by early Jan. 5, with the primary scheduled for Feb. 16. The two candidates receiving the most votes in the primary will advance to the April 6 general‑election ballot.
The Cap Times explained that the mayor’s role functions as the city’s chief executive officer, overseeing a municipal workforce of about 3,000 employees who serve roughly 300,000 residents. The mayor recommends policy to the City Council, breaks tie votes, vetoes legislation, enforces municipal laws, appoints department heads and committee members, and selects deputy mayors to liaise with city agencies.
Voters will weigh issues such as affordable housing, public safety, community input, transparency, municipal spending, and social justice as they decide who will lead Madison’s next four‑year term. With no term limits for the position, the upcoming election will shape the city’s direction for years to come.
What’s next: Prospective candidates must submit paperwork by early Jan. 5. The Feb. 16 primary will narrow the field to two contenders, who will then appear on the April 6 ballot for the mayoral election.
Sources: wmtv15news.com, captimes.com
