Wednesday, April 8, 2015 - The Daily Cardinal

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Wednesday, April 8, 2015

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Soglin to serve eighth term as Madison mayor By Michael Frett the dialy cardinal

Incumbent Mayor Paul Soglin took over 70 percent of the votes as Madison re-elected its longtime mayor for his eighth term during Tuesday’s election. As the votes came in, mayoral candidate and former Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, conceded defeat shortly after 9 p.m. “Scott Resnick called a short while ago, and he and I are in agreement about the conclusion of the race,” Soglin said during his victory speech at The Brink Lounge on East Washington Street. “The results of this election, I believe, show that [our commitment to making Madison a community for everyone] that some suspected in 2011 is going to become a reality.”

“We have led the state in these past three-and-a-half years on economic growth ... We are going to continue to lead.” Paul Soglin mayor City of Madison

A little earlier, across the square at The Fountain bar, Resnick addressed the loss to his supporters. “Obviously, this is not the outcome that anyone here hoped for, but I’m proud that we ran a clean race, an honest race, and stuck to the issue,” Resnick said dur-

ing his concession speech at The Fountain bar on Capitol Square. “I am very glad of the race we ran and thank you so much for being out here tonight.” During his announcement, Soglin re-affirmed the promises of his past terms as mayor. “I made a commitment four years ago,” Soglin said. “I couldn’t live with myself if I abandoned issues where I tried to get the city focused, [like] poverty [and] dealing with equity. We have led the state in these past three-and-a-half years on economic growth ... We are going to continue to lead.” By the end of the night, 72 percent of the city electorate voted to re-elect Soglin, according to the Dane County Clerk’s Office. Resnick followed with only 27 percent, most of his support coming from the UW-Madison campus area. Outside of that downtown area, most voters backed the returning mayor. For some, Soglin’s re-election was inspiring. Others were hopeful Soglin’s victory meant he could follow through on past promises, like those to reduce homelessness and bridge Madison’s disparities. “The guy really cares about the city,” said Virginia Farwell Zwickey, a long-time Madison resident. “We have a great leader now, and now we have to do our part.” “He’s got some things he has left to do and I think he’ll do

mayor page 3

Dana Kampa/the daily cardinal

Madison voters chose incumbent Mayor Paul Soglin over former Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, Tuesday. This will be Soglin’s eighth term, with his political career spanning over 40 years.

Voters re-elect Bradley, approve change to chief justice post By Andrew Bahl The Daily cardinal

Incumbent state Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley defeated conservative challenger Rock County Circuit Judge James Daley to win another 10-year term on the court. Bradley trumpeted her victory as a triumph over the increasing partisan nature of the judiciary in Wisconsin. “Tonight we sent a message loud and clear that we want our courtrooms free of partisan politics,” Bradley said in her victory speech before thanking her family, staff and Daley.

“Wisconsin ranks second in the nation for the role special interests play in [state] Supreme Court races … and I have a vision for a judiciary in this state that says no to special interests and no to partisan politics,” Bradley said. Daley congratulated Bradley but alleged that donations from liberal special interest groups propelled her to victory. “Tonight we witnessed firsthand the power of incumbancy, as liberal special interests band together to protect their candidate,” Daley said in a statement. Lobbying groups were less

Investigate ghosts with

Terry Olivier +ALMANAC, page 2

involved than expected in the high court race. Daley received no monetary support from outside groups in the weeks leading up to the election while a liberal advocacy group spent $100,000 on an ad attacking Daley, according to a report by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Bradley’s re-election preserves the two-seat liberal minority on the state’s highest court. A referendum also passed that allows the members of the state’s Supreme Court to choose its chief justice instead of having the position go by default to its most senior justice.

The passage of the referendum could signal the end of current Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson’s 19-year tenure as chief, allowing the justices to elect a new chief if they so choose, a measure effective immediately. Voters first approved the measure in 2013, but it requires two rounds of approval before the voters and state Legislature because it amends the state constitution. Joseph Waldman, communications director for the UW-Madison College Democrats, praised the re-election of Bradley but expressed disappointment that the referen-

dum passed, calling it a “partisan takeover” of the court. “We think of courts as nonpartisan and it is disappointing legislative Republicans initiated this clearly partisan legislation,” Waldman said. “We will see the consequences of this soon.” Cedarburg businessman Duey Stroebel cruised to victory in a special election for the state Senate seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis. Stroebel won a three-way Republican primary in February and faced no Democratic opponent in the general election.

Looking ahead for the Badgers +SPORTS, page 8

“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”


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