MADISON — City Council member Ranae Bartlett has been elected mayor of Madison.
Unofficial returns from Tuesday’s municipal election show Bartlett securing more than 55% of the vote, defeating City Administrator Steve Smith, who received about 32%. Candidate Margi Daly finished third with nearly 12%.
Bartlett thanked her supporters during an election night gathering in downtown Madison.
“There is no way that we can do something like this without a lot of help, a lot of friends, a lot of dedicated citizens in Madison who believe in a better vision,” Bartlett said.
She also addressed recent negative campaign ads, saying voters made their disapproval clear at the polls.
“There were people at the polls today that rejected negative advertising, rejected what our opponents did,” she said. “People came to the polls and said ‘I’m voting for you because I don’t like what your opponents did.’”
Bartlett was first elected to the Madison City Council in 2020, where she has served as council president, Finance chair, and currently as council President Pro Tempore. Before her time on the council, she spent nearly a decade on the Madison Board of Education, including terms as president and vice president.
Opponent Steve Smith released a statement through his campaign congratulating Bartlett.
“I want to sincerely congratulate Ranae Bartlett on her election as Mayor of Madison. This was a hard-fought race, and I have great respect for her commitment and dedication to our city. I wish her nothing but the best as she takes on this important role, and I encourage all of us to support her leadership as she works for the good of Madison,” read the statement.
City Council races
In District 6, no candidate reached 50% of the vote, forcing a runoff. Political newcomer Erica White will face another political newcomer, Scott Harbour. White garnered 700 votes followed by Harbour’s 512. Incumbent Council member Karen Denzine received 302 votes.
Two other races were decided outright: In District 7 Kenneth Jackson beat incumbent John Seifert by less than 100 votes and first-time candidate Michael McKay won in District 4.
In uncontested races, four council candidates secured new terms by certificate: Maura Wroblewski in District 1, David Bier in District 2, Billie Goodson in District 3, and Alice Lessmann in District 5.
The District 6 runoff election will be Sept. 23. Winners are set to take office Nov. 3.
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