Madison Mayor Paul Finley will not seek reelection

MADISON – Madison Mayor Paul Finley announced his decision to not seek reelection in the 2025 mayoral race. He made the announcement Tuesday during a press conference at city hall.

Finley served his first term as mayor in 2008 followed by a second term in 2016 and his third and current term in 2020.

The decision to not run again came about as Finley says he looks to spend more time with family.

“I am now going to be able to enjoy [my sons] in another way. So, when it came to the thought process, it’s am I ready to take four more years on top of this extra year or should I just take this bonus year and run through the finish line strong and continue doing wonderful things with the wonderful community. So, this has been something I probably have known I’m going to do for two or three months,” said Finley.

In 2021, the state legislature added what Finley called “a bonus year” to the terms of sitting mayors. The “bonus year” extends Finley’s term into 2025, and he says he plans to use that year to finish projects started during his term and facilitate a smooth transition for the next mayor.

“I think this bonus year, one of the things it gives us is the ability, as we talked about some of the things that weren’t complete, to finish some of the things that are in this budget. I think this budget that we have that started in October is the best budget we’ve ever had. There’s so many different projects that are funded,” said Finley.

Some of those projects include the Community Center, Town Madison Wellness Center, Public Safety Annex in Town Madison, and Sunshine Oaks Park.

In his last two terms, Mayor Finley oversaw the arrival of minor league baseball to Madison, the building of three new Madison City schools, the development of Town Madison, and the creation of a Community Center and new recreation facility in Town Madison.

Upon leaving the mayor’s office, Finley plans to return to his professional development consulting business and spending more time as a father and son.

The next mayoral and city council election will take place August 26, 2025.