Madison Mayor Rhodes Conway wins reelection

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway has won reelection and earned her second term as the city’s leader.

“Well it’s a really really exciting day in the state of Wisconsin,” Rhodes-Conway said.

Unofficial results show Rhodes-Conway with 55.2% of the vote and Reyes with 44.1%, with 98.7% of precincts reporting.

Rhodes-Conway said she would be taking a few days and get to know the new city council members. She wants to build good working relationships with them, then focus on topics like affordable housing and public safety.

“I’m really proud of the work that we’ve done over the past four years, and I am absolutely committed to working for our community for the next four,” Rhodes-Conway said. “We’re going to continue to prioritize public safety, housing, fighting the climate crisis, equitable economic development and investing in our young people.”

Rhodes-Conway said that she received a call from opponent Gloria Reyes conceding. Speaking to those at her watch party, Reyes acknowledged the results and congratulated Rhodes-Conway.

”I stand before you tonight with a heavy heart,” Reyes said at her watch party. “The voters have spoken and I have not been elected to serve as your next mayor. While I am disappointed with the outcome, I do not consider this a loss.”

“I might not have won this election, but I will continue to work tirelessly to make positive impact on the lives of those around me,” Reyes added.

Reyes said she is unsure of her next move, but she is enjoying the present.

Satya Rhodes-Conway, the incumbent, is the 58th mayor of Madison. Reducing the number of fatal crashes in Madison under the Vision Zero plan has been an ongoing effort in the city, as well as the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit system. She also has the goal of bringing an Amtrak line to Madison.

Rhodes-Conway noted Tuesday morning that public safety, housing, climate change and equitable economic development are all priorities she hopes to address if given the opportunity to return to office.

Throughout Reyes’ campaign, she has said that she values the opinions of the community. At the last half of her campaign, Reyes voiced her opinions about Madison’s Bus Rapid Transit system. She argues the plan developed under Mayor Rhodes-Conway needs more work, even though construction is already underway. Reyes says the Bus Rapid Transit plan was not fully thought out. She says the new route system is a radical change to how Madison Metro currently operates.

Former Deputy Mayor and Madison Metropolitan School Board President Reyes headed into election night with high hopes. She spent her morning at Eastside Evangelical Lutheran Church voting. She said she brought her daughter along with to see her name on the ballot, which was a special moment for her. In the afternoon, she headed over to the University Wisconsin-Madison to talk to students about voting.

Rhodes-Conway started the day by casting her ballot at Bashford Church on North Street. After voting, she spent the day canvassing and talking with constituents. She said people told her they were pleased with the direction the city was going coming out of the pandemic.

Rhodes-Conway’s watch party was held at Turn Key, on Madison’s east side. Reyes’ campaign met at Caspian Grill.

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