Satya Rhodes-Conway

Satya Rhodes-Conway (born 1971) is an American politician. She was a member of the Madison Common Council between 2007 and 2013. In 2019, Rhodes-Conway was elected Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin. She is the first openly gay person elected to that office.

Satya Rhodes-Conway
52nd Mayor of Madison
Incumbent
Assumed office April 16, 2019
Preceded by	Paul Soglin
Member of the Madison Common Council from the 12th district
In office April 2007 – April 2013
Preceded by	Brian Benford
Succeeded by	Larry Palm
Personal details
Born	1971 (age 48–49) Española, New Mexico, U.S.
Political party	Green • Democratic
Other political affiliations	Progressive Dane
Education	Lehman Alternative Community School Smith College (BS) University of California, Irvine (MS)
Website	City website

Early life and career

Satya Rhodes-Conway was born in 1971, in Española, New Mexico, and raised in Ithaca, New York.[1][2] She attended Smith College to study biology and earned a master's degree in ecology from the University of California, Irvine.[3] Rhodes-Conway moved to Madison, Wisconsin, around 2000.[4] She worked as a senior associate with the University of Wisconsin's Center on Wisconsin Strategy, and served on several municipal committees, among them the Eken Park Neighborhood Association as treasurer, as chair of the Long Range Metro Transit Ad Hoc Planning Committee, and a subcommittee member of the Commission on the Environment.[4] Rhodes-Conway became managing director of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Mayor's Innovation Project in 2005.[5]

Political career

Rhodes-Conway has been endorsed by the Green Party of the United States,[6][7] the Progressive Dane party and the Democratic Party in bids for political office.[4][8][9] She began campaigning for Brian Benford's open seat on the Madison Common Council in December 2006,[10] and was one of nine new alders elected to the Madison Common Council in 2007.[11] Rhodes-Conway announced in November 2012 that she would not run for reelection,[12] and stepped down from the position upon the end of her third term in April 2013.[12] She was succeeded in office by Larry Palm.[13]

2019 mayoral campaign

Rhodes-Conway announced that she would run for the mayorship in May 2018.[14] She and incumbent mayor Paul Soglin were the top two finishers in a primary held on February 19, 2019.[15] The 2019 mayoral primary was Madison's most expensive,[16] as six candidates raised a total of $453,365; $83,331 of that total was raised by Rhodes-Conway's campaign.[17][18] Rhodes-Conway finished second, 323 votes behind Soglin, to advance to the general election.[19][20]

During the primary, Rhodes-Conway's support came largely from the Isthmus and neighboring wards.[21][22] Debates between Rhodes-Conway and Soglin covered a number of topics,[23][24] including affordable housing,[25] the municipal economy,[26] public safety, and policing.[27] Rhodes-Conway won support from Wisconsin State Assemblywoman Terese Berceau and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi.[28][29] She was subsequently endorsed by the Wisconsin State Journal editorial board,[30] The Capital Times,[31] and The Daily Cardinal.[32] Throughout the campaign, Rhodes-Conway raised more money than Soglin,[33] and spent more on expenditures.[34][35] Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele spent $47,000 on mailings supportive of Rhodes-Conway's mayoral bid, an amount described by the Wisconsin State Journal as "unusual, if not unprecedented," due to its origin outside of Dane County.[36]

Rhodes-Conway defeated Soglin in the April 2, 2019 election, earning victory with over 61 percent of the vote.[37] Voter turnout was approximately 36 percent.[38] Rhodes-Conway's electoral victory was driven by large margins in the Isthmus, Near East Side, and West Side. She managed to flip wards in the Far East Side and West Side, parts of the city that previously voted for Soglin. In a ward near Capitol Square, Rhodes-Conway won by a 68.5-point margin.[39][40] She is the second woman to be elected mayor of Madison and the first openly gay person elected to the office.[41][42] Lori Lightfoot was elected Mayor of Chicago on the same day Rhodes-Conway won Madison's mayoral election.[43] Former Mayor of Houston Annise Parker stated that both victories "leave us well-positioned to make 2019 the year of the lesbian mayor."[8]

Mayoralty

Rhodes-Conway was inaugurated as mayor of Madison on April 16, 2019.[44] On her first day as mayor, she held a joint press conference with Dane County Executive Joe Parisi to announce a maintenance and reconstruction agreement for Buckeye Road.[45][46]

Controversy over response to 2020 protests

Starting in May 2020, protests spread across the United States in response to the death of George Floyd. Protests in Madison began on May 30. Initially, Rhodes-Conway seemed supportive of the demonstrations, stating "George Floyd should be alive tonight and the fact that he isn’t, is an American tragedy...I also want to say that I completely agree with the protestors that were around the capitol square and right here in front of this building earlier today. I agree with their message, I agree with their right to protest and I agree with how determinedly and peacefully they protested today.”[47]

However, after protesters were tear-gassed by police on the first night of demonstrations, tensions escalated. Alice Herman, writing for Tone Madison, recounted that "As protesters—chanting “hands up, don’t shoot,” and repeating George Floyd’s name—advanced from the campus end of State Street toward the Capitol, cops formed barricades across the street, repeatedly deploying tear gas to route the advancing protesters into side streets.  The tear gas set off panicked stampedes, which were the most frightening and dangerous moments of the day."[48] Multiple Madison alders (Rebecca Kemble, Donna Moreland, Max Prestigiacomo, Arvina Martin, Marsha Rummel, Tag Evers, and Grant Foster) released a statement condemning the tear-gassing of protesters, writing “What we witnessed on the news last night was a gross and unnecessary display of force that deepens community divide and mistrust of the city and other bodies of government...Instead of kneeling with protesters, MPD led a militarized police effort that escalated the situation with pepper spray, gassing, injuries, and harmful trauma to youth and others in the downtown area last night.”[49]

The next day, Rhodes-Conway declared a state of emergency and imposed a 9:30 pm curfew on the isthmus area of the city, stating "I want to be clear that this is in response to a number of people endangering themselves and others by shattering glass, destroying property, and engaging in widespread, systematic looting of local businesses."[50]

Despite the mayor's focus on property damage, many State Street businesses released statements in support of the protests, including A Room of One's Own Bookstore, writing "We are proud of those who rioted last night & who kept George Floyd's name on a live news feed for an entire day & disallowed the march to become a two minute segment on the evening news. We are proud to be part of a community that flushed teargas out of protester's eyes at 1 am & that came together at 7 am sweep up glass & board up windows. We believe this is all tandem necessary work. The looting & rioting last night, on any night, in any city, could never cause the same kind of damage the police have caused Black communities for centuries. Windows & merchandise will never, under any circumstance, be more important than human lives."[51]

On June 3, Rhodes-Conway released a password-protected video, intended only for consumption by Madison Police Department members; however, the video was leaked to the public. In the video, Rhodes-Conway stated "You must be exhausted. I know I am, and you're facing a much more difficult situation than I am. It must be absolutely infuriating to stand in heavy gear outside while listening to people constantly insult your chosen profession...You are not what the protesters say you are. I know that...I was so focused on the task of addressing the concerns of our community that I didn’t remember that you need and deserve both recognition and appreciation."[52]

The video was apparently leaked by a member of the "We Stand With The Madison Police Department" Facebook group. Angry that Rhodes-Conway would not take a public stance in support of police, they accompanied it with this message: "If you know your police are doing well get out there (and) say it publicly. Stop kowtowing."[52] After the video was leaked, Rhodes-Conway likewise came under fire from supporters of the protests, who were disturbed by the dissonance between her public statements and her private one.

Rhodes-Conway apologized for the statements made in the leaked video, saying "Black lives matter. I believe deeply in this and yet I failed to center this in my message to the police department...I realize I may have done irreparable harm with my actions, and I realize too that I may have permanently lost any trust I had."[53]

Personal life

Satya Rhodes-Conway's mother, Anne Rhodes, is an artist.[2][42] Her father, Bob Conway, is a manager of art collections.[2][46] Her parents divorced when she was five years old, and her mother subsequently came out as a lesbian.[2] Satya Rhodes-Conway and Amy Klusmeier have been partners since 2009.[2]

References

1. Brogan, Dylan (March 14, 2019). "Is Madison ready for a new mayor?". Isthmus. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
2. Mosiman, Dean (January 30, 2019). "Madison mayoral candidate Satya Rhodes-Conway cites expertise with cities". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
3. David, Peyton (March 26, 2019). "Campaigning for change: Rhodes-Conway names affordable housing, public transportation as two key platform points approaching April's election". Badger Herald. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
4. Knutsen, Kristian (March 12, 2007). "Mark Deadman vs. Satya Rhodes-Conway for District 12". Isthmus. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
5. Becker, Abigail (April 9, 2019). "How she did it: Satya Rhodes-Conway ran a grassroots, door-to-door campaign for mayor and beat a legend". The Capital Times. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
6. "Most Green Officeholders 'Ever' - Thanks to Recent Victories in Wisconsin and Illinois!". Green Party of the United States. April 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
7. "After Primaries, 10 Wisconsin Greens on the Ballot". Green Party of the United States. February 21, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
8. Fitzsimsons, Tim (April 3, 2019). "Chicago's Lightfoot leads way in what could be 'year of the lesbian mayor'". NBC News. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
9. Mosiman, Dean (April 7, 2019). "Leftist political party Progressive Dane gains sway in Madison after Tuesday's election". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
10. Knutsen, Kristian (December 1, 2006). "Madison council candidate Satya Rhodes-Conway launches campaign". Isthmus. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
11. Elbow, Steven; Becker, Abigail (April 4, 2019). "Excitement accompanies historic turnover on Madison City Council". The Capital Times. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
12. "Ald. Rhodes-Conway Will Not Seek Reelection". City of Madison. November 28, 2012. Archived from the original on 13 March 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019. Alt URL
13. Hubbuch, Chris (November 22, 2018). "Madison Ald. Larry Palm to leave City Council after 13 years". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
14. Becker, Abigail (May 29, 2018). "Former Madison alder Satya Rhodes-Conway announces campaign for mayor in 2019". The Capital Times. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
15. Klugman, Daniel (March 7, 2019). "Following primary success, Satya Rhodes-Conway confident for general election fight". The Daily Cardinal. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
16. Lawler, Briant (March 27, 2019). "Madison voters get to choose between Rhodes-Conway, Soglin". The Clarion. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
17. Mosiman, Dean (February 20, 2019). "Paul Soglin, Satya Rhodes-Conway advance to general election for Madison mayor". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
18. Phillips, Maddy (February 19, 2019). "Soglin, Rhodes-Conway advance to mayoral general election". Badger Herald. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
19. Becker, Abigail; Pasque, Lisa Speckhard; Opoien, Jessie; Joyce, Jason (February 20, 2019). "It's Satya and Soglin: Incumbent mayor and former alder advance in Madison mayoral primary". The Capital Times. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
20. Brogan, Dylan (February 20, 2019). "Soglin squeaks by in primary". Isthmus. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
21. Mosiman, Dean (February 21, 2019). "Paul Soglin, Satya Rhodes-Conway begin final electoral push". Washington State Journal. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
22. Mosiman, Dean (April 1, 2019). "Madison mayor's race offers contrast in style, experience more than policy differences". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
23. Mosiman, Dean (March 14, 2019). "Paul Soglin, Satya Rhodes-Conway spar at first debate". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
24. Schinderle, Abby (March 28, 2019). "Soglin, Rhodes-Conway meet for debate before mayoral election". Daily Cardinal. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
25. Aadland, Chris (March 19, 2019). "Paul Soglin and Satya Rhodes-Conway discuss different ideas, leadership styles". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
26. Mosiman, Dean (March 28, 2019). "Madison mayoral candidates Paul Soglin, Satya Rhodes-Conway agree, part ways on economic development". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
27. Mosiman, Dean (March 22, 2019). "Satya Rhodes-Conway, Paul Soglin take similar tack on policing, public safety". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
28. Ansari, Hibah (November 6, 2018). "Soglin seeks re-election of third consecutive term as mayor, opponents urge for change". Badger Herald. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
29. Lathers, Addison (March 13, 2019). "County executive endorses Satya Rhodes-Conway for mayor". The Daily Cardinal. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
30. "Our endorsement for Madison mayor: Satya Rhodes-Conway". Wisconsin State Journal. March 18, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
31. "Editorial: Satya Rhodes-Conway is the leader Madison needs now". The Capital Times. March 27, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
32. "Cardinal View: Satya Rhodes-Conway will provide the change Madison needs". The Daily Cardinal. March 26, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
33. Mosiman, Dean (March 26, 2019). "Satya Rhodes-Conway passes Mayor Paul Soglin in fundrasing". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
34. Phillips, Maddy (March 26, 2019). "Mayoral candidate Satya Rhodes-Conway surpasses Soglin in fundraising". Badger Herald. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
35. Brogan, Dylan (March 26, 2019). "Add it up". Isthmus. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
36. Mosiman, Dean (March 27, 2019). "Outside political committee delivers $47,090 mailing for Satya Rhodes-Conway". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
37. Husted, Will (April 4, 2019). "Rhodes-Conway elected mayor, defeats 22-year incumbent Soglin in historic election". The Daily Cardinal. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
38. Novak, Bill (April 3, 2019). "Election turnout doubled in Madison from spring primary to general election". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
39. Joyce, Jason (April 3, 2019). "Analysis: Where Satya Rhodes-Conway got the votes that won the Madison mayor's race". The Capital Times. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
40. Mosiman, Dean (April 4, 2019). "Satya Rhodes-Conway pledges change: 'We are going to be taking a look at everything'". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
41. "Rhodes-Conway ousts longtime Madison Mayor Soglin". Star Tribune. Associated Press. April 2, 2019. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019 – via Journal Times. Alt URL
42. Mosiman, Dean (April 3, 2019). "Satya Rhodes-Conway trounces Paul Soglin to become Madison's mayor". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
43. Becker, Abigail (April 13, 2019). "'It's a big deal:' Madison LGBTQ community embraces Satya Rhodes-Conway election". The Capital Times. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
44. Becker, Abigail (April 3, 2019). "Mayor-elect Satya Rhodes-Conway hires chief of staff, begins administration transition". The Capital Times. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
45. Plutchak, Dan (April 16, 2019). "Moving quickly, new mayor announces agreement with Dane County on Buckeye Road". WKOW. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
46. Mosiman, Dean (April 17, 2019). "Satya Rhodes-Conway takes over as mayor; change in council leadership goes less smoothly". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
47. "Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway: 'Serious Social Change is Needed in our Nation' | City of Madison, City of Madison, Wisconsin". cityofmadison.com. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
48. "Scenes from a day of rage, tear gas, and collective power". Tone Madison. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
49. Brogan, Dylan (2020-06-01). ""This is not a riot, this is a revolution"". Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
50. "Downtown Violence Results in Mayoral State of Emergency and Curfew | City of Madison, City of Madison, Wisconsin". cityofmadison.com. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
51. "A Room of One's Own Bookstore". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
52. Beyer, Elizabeth; Wroge, Logan. "Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway apologizes after backlash for video to Madison police officers". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
53. "Statement of Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway | City of Madison, City of Madison, Wisconsin". cityofmadison.com. Retrieved 2020-06-11.

Political offices
Preceded by Paul Soglin	Mayor of Madison 2019–present	Incumbent