Will Brenda Konkel Run For Madison Mayor?

Folks have been mulling over the names of those who might challenge Madison Mayor Dave  Cieslewicz in 2011.  At our home the topic has come up over and over as friends gather.  I have argued that a strong challenge from the left is inevitable given the issues that have percolated over the past several years.  How truly vulnerable Cieslewicz is continues to be the $800 dollar question.  I suspect while he has angered many on the left, he has fostered enough relations with the center-right to win another term.  That may be the political landscape, but one needs to ask how smart such a turn of events would mean for policy.  No one should forget how the Landmarks Commission was treated this past year, or what the larger implications of the Edgewater project will be on the city.

One of the names mentioned to take on the task of removing Cieslewicz from office is the ever-interesting and always verbal Brenda Konkel.  If she were to enter the political arena this would be one of the best stories Madison has had in many election cycles.  Konkel commented on her blog this week about the chances of her making a bid for mayor.  Those interested in both cheap theatre, and city policy would benefit from her entry into the race.

Today, its a definite maybe. People are asking me to do it every where I go. And I feel an incredible sense of responsibility to seriously consider it due to their pleas which vary depending upon who I am talking to. On the one hand, it sounds completely crazy. On the other hand, if you look into the eyes of the people of this City, its hard to say no. There are so many important issues that they, and I, care so much about that are being ignored and mangled. And people seem desperate to have a local government they can believe in.