A look at candidates for Madison City Council districts 6 and 7

Editor’s note: The following is the first part of a two-part series examining a few of the issues affecting Madison and how candidates plan to address them if elected in the Aug. 26 municipal election. A full list of qualifying candidates for the election is available on the Madison City Clerk’s election page at www.madisonal. gov/1303/Candidate-Portal. Voters seeking information about registration, eligibility, or election procedures can find resources at www.madisonal.gov/198/Elections

MADISON – As the time nears for Madison residents to travel to the polls on Aug. 26 to cast votes in the city’s municipal election, candidates for City Council are actively campaigning on the important issues facing our city.

From infrastructure to education to green spaces, the candidates for District 6 and 7 have created platforms to address these important issues.

District 6 Candidate, Erica White

As a mom, an engineer and a small business owner, District 6 candidate, Erica White, has lived in the Madison community for nearly a decade.

“My background is in engineering taught me how to plan, solve problems and manage budgets,” White said. “My heart for service guides every decision I make. I’m running to lead with integrity, listen to residents, and to get things done.”

The foundation of White’s platform consists of infrastructure and keeping up with the city’s growth. She is also an advocate for first responders and the city’s strong educational system, which she sees as the heart of the community.

“One of the biggest concerns I hear from residents is about our roads and infrastructure. Madison has grown quickly, and our streets, sidewalks, and intersections have not always kept up. If elected, I’ll prioritize smart investments in road improvements, traffic flow, and pedestrian access, especially in areas like District 6 where people feel the impact daily,” White said. “I’m also focused on making sure our city grows in a balanced way, welcoming new businesses while preserving the character of our neighborhoods.”

White’s campaign ties to four areas: improving traffic, supporting school partnerships, preserving green spaces, and encouraging development that serves resident long term.

“I believe in practical, forward-thinking leadership that makes daily life better for Madison families,” White said. “I want voters to know that I’m accessible, hardworking and genuinely investing in making Madison the best it can be.”

District 6 Candidate, Scott Harbour

Scott Harbour has made Madison his home since 2008. His sons are both proud Bob Jones graduates, and over the years he has coached soccer, volunteered in scouting, chaired the board at the Hogan Family YMCA and served as a council chair at his church. He says in all of these roles, he has had one clear goal–to build a stronger community by showing up, listening and leading with compassion.

“Our city is growing fast. That growth brings both opportunity and challenge. Families love Madison because of our excellent schools, safe neighborhoods and strong sense of community,” Harbour said. “But the pressure on our infrastructure, traffic flow and tax base is growing, and if we want to keep Madison thriving, we must plan ahead.”

Harbour’s plan hinges on growing smart, not just fast, meaning advocating for infrastructure that matches the city’s residential growth, retaining more local sales tax revenue by supporting commercial development in targeted corridors like Madison Boulevard and downtown, supporting small businesses and creative development tools like food truck parks, mixed-use spaces and business incubators and investing in community partnerships that strengthen our schools, support public safety and maintain the high quality of life Madison families expect.

“Every piece of my platform centers around smart growth, and community investment,” Harbour said. “I believe Madison can be both financially sound and family-focused if we make intentional choices.”

District 6 Candidate, Karen Denzine

While serving the citizens of Madison for the last four plus years, Karen Denzine says she gained a wealth of insight and experience to enable her to start day one working on behalf of the citizens to provide the city services they deserve.

As the current District 6 council representative, Denzine says her service on the City Council is her one and only “day job.” She serves as the council liaison to numerous entities, including the police and fire departments, the senior center, the beautification board and Madison Visionary Partners.

“I get to devote myself entirely to the citizens and to city matters full time, at any time,” Denzine said. “Serving these organizations keeps me engaged with the citizens helping to better understand their needs and adequately address them.”

Denzine sees the city’s major issues as managing residential growth, increasing the commercial tax base, addressing congested roads and increasing recreational opportunities for youth. She says she is running for reelection to continue to be the “people’s voice” on City Council.

“The wise use of the taxpayers’ money is crucial. We need to prioritize our investment in our existing infrastructure over riskier long-term projects. Standing up for the taxpayer by pushing back against adding seven additional suites to the Toyota Stadium was important to me on the behalf of my constituents,” Denzine said. “I felt going $30 million further in debt at the Stadium put the long-term financial stability of the city at risk. The numbers were far from assured and it was not a risk I was willing to support. The city’s first responsibility is to provide for the safety and welfare of its residents.”

Having lived in three different U.S. cities as well as in Germany, England and Italy, Denzine feels she has a unique perspective on the necessity for actively calibrating city growth in order to preserve and further cultivate what makes Madison special for all residents.

“Having visited all seven continents, I’ve gained an appreciation for the vast differences between international cities, and I have seen what works and what doesn’t,” Denzine said.

District 7 Candidate, Kenneth Jackson

Since early March, Kenneth Jackson has knocked on over 2,400 doors in District 7, listening intently to what residents want. His professional background in data analysis and survey research, he says, prepared him to ask constituents questions and to study their answers carefully.

His research led him to create a platform to address streamlining traffic, budgeting responsibility and upholding Madison City Schools.

“I’ll advocate for roundabouts where they make sense and adaptive signals to clear congestion more quickly,” Jackson said. “I’ll examine appropriations to internal departments and external agencies to confirm returns on investment. As long as it is still allocated to our school system exclusively, I’ll support renewal of the half cent sales tax that sunsets in 2027.”

Jackson sees these priorities as a part of a broader plan for Madison’s future, including a push for better walkability and championing elevated enforcement of reckless driving and working toward equipment upgrades, restrooms and additional shade at neighborhood parks so Madison’s youth can enjoy the outdoors year-round.

“I’m wholly committed to putting the people of District 7 first. That’s why I decline all contributions from developers, special interest groups and political action committees,” Jackson said. “And I’ll vote for a slower rate of residential growth to avoid straining streets and services further.”

District 7 Candidate, John Seifert

John Seifert brings nine years of council experience, including serving as the Council president, to the District 7 race. He says he has worked hard to listen, lead with integrity and put people before politics.

“My objective is simple. It’s to keep Madison moving forward with steady leadership and community-first decision making,” Seifert said.

Like other candidates in the Council races, Seifert sees infrastructure and traffic as a challenge however, he believes the city has made meaningful progress by widening key roads like Hughes and Wall Triana, improving intersections like Balch and Gillespie and securing state and federal support for regional projects like the Town Madison flyovers and the widening of 565.

“But as Madison continues to grow, we must stay ahead of the curve. I will prioritize smart infrastructure investments that improve traffic flow, enhance safety and support long-term growth without losing the character of our community,” Seifert said.

Other priorities in his platform include school funding where Seifert supports the re-authorization of the half cent sales tax and online sales tax reform the Council is currently working to secure. Other issues he pledges to address for parks and green spaces to improve the quality of life for Madison residents and economic development where he will continue to work to attract high-quality businesses while supporting small businesses.

“Every initiative I support is aimed at delivering practical results that reflect community input and long-term vision– not short-term politics,” Seifert said. “I understand how to move initiatives from ideas to outcomes, and I’ve earned a reputation for being collaborative, transparent and focused on results–not rhetoric.”