In the end, it simply wasn’t enough. I congratulate Mark and Satya for running great and successful campaigns. I plan on talking with them both over the next couple days.

I am so grateful for all of the support I received over the last few months. There are too many people to name everybody, but there are a few who I need to mention. First, and most importantly, I have to thank my wife Sarah who showed more strength during this time than I thought was possible. Nothing I do in my life is possible without her support. My parents Chuck and Holly and her parents Bill and Anne and our families provided a great deal of support as well. I know how very lucky I am.

Joe Lindstrom started working on this campaign while he was still in the United States Army and the second he got released in January, he came to Madison and immediately started to work. As this was turning into quite the fight, I knew I picked the right campaign manager. I couldn’t ask for anyone tougher, more loyal and more willing to sacrifice his time. And he brought along Louis Mercer, who did a fine job organizing volunteers.

Scott McDonell lent his vast talents and his early support gave the campaign instant viability. Anybody who knows me for more than five minutes knows how important he is to me personally. Helen Marks Dicks was very valuable advisor and my neighbors Dolores Kester and Lesleigh Luttrell gave early support that encouraged me greatly. Mark Rosas lent a hand with the data entry. Jim Caldwell made some beautiful large signs. And a very large group of volunteers did a great job completing the necessary tasks. I can’t thank everybody enough.

Lastly, I am grateful to the voters in District 12 who talked with me at their doors and to the 507 people who put their trust in me. My only regret in all of this is that I couldn’t convince 96 more people to join them. I am happy to have had the opportunity to better connect myself with where I live through this. I see the sun has risen again and that there’s still a lot of work to do to make Madison a better place to live for everybody. I intend to get back to work doing just that.

After doing doors, I completed my primary campaign where it began - by attending a Sherman Neighborhood Association meeting. I am very grateful for the support I initially received from my neighbors when I first considered running for office and am thrilled that so many will be voting tomorrow.

So to the residents of District 12: Please vote tomorrow (click here to see where you vote). I hope I can have your trust. I promise I will bring my passion for working to make Madison a better place for everyone if you give me that chance.

After the polls close, please join me and my supporters at Slice’s Bar and Grill at 2417 Pennsylvania Ave (between Demetral Field and Union Cab). I’m hoping for a positive result, but regardless of the outcome I am very proud of the campaign we ran and look forward to a successful conclusion of our primary election efforts tomorrow. Hope to see you there!

And I have been delighted and humbled and amused and enlightened by all of the conversations I’ve had at my neighbors’ doors. I highly recommend the experience of running for office to everyone - it has certainly changed me.

As we get into the final stretch, I will be needing your help with campaign activities over the next five days. We will be having activity Saturday, Sunday and Monday. If you are interested in finding out how you can help the campaign, please get in touch with my coordinator Louis Mercer by calling him at 469-9245. I hope you can join us.

Also, I will be on the radio with one of my opponents on Stu Levitan’s show on (the still progressive!) 92.1. If you don’t live in the area, you can listen here.

We are securing a location for Tuesday night for a victory party. Details to follow…

Know Your Candidates District 12 - Requires Real Player

These are sponsored by Madison City Channel and the League of Women Voters of Dane County. I’ve watched them for years and was thrilled with the opportunity to finally participate in one. If you have cable in Madison, you can watch it on Channel 12 at the following times:

Saturday, February 3rd at 10:30PM

Saturday, February 10th at 2PM

Saturday, February 17th at 1PM

Sunday, February 18th at 10PM

Affordable Housing Action Alliance (AHAA) of Madison. Ever since AHAA formed, I have been supporting their efforts to tackle our twin affordable and fair housing crises in Madison. I look forward to partnering again with them on the Common Council. 

Former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin. I am proud to join progressive candidates Marsha Rummel, Brian Solomon, Gary Poulson and Julia Kerr as a candidate who has received Mayor Soglin’s support.

Here are some recent new supporters for my campaign:

• The Building and Construction Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin. This is a labor organization made up of the following locals:

• Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Locals 13, 21 and 34
• Boilermakers Local 107
• Electricians Local 159
• Elevator Constructors Local 132
• Glaziers and Glassworkers Local 941
• Heat & Frost Insulators Local 19
• Iron Workers Local 383
• Laborers Local 464
• Laborers Local 330
• Operating Engineers Local 139
• Operative Plasters & Cement Masons Local 599
• Painters Local 802
• Plumbers Local 75
• Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 400
• Roofers Local 65
• Sheet Metal Workers Local 18
• Sprinkler Fitters Local 669
• Steamfitters Local 601
• Teamsters Local 695

These are the men and women who are building Madison into what it is today. I am committed to working with them on issues such as Best Value Contracting and supporting apprenticeship programs in Madison.

• Dane County Sheriff David Mahoney. I’m excited to have Sheriff Mahoney’s endorsement. Crime is a serious concern for Northside neighborhoods, and it’s one of the issues I’ve been discussing frequently with voters. It’s an honor to have an experienced and trusted official of law enforcement such as Sherriff Mahoney supporting my campaign.

• Neighborhood leaders like former Whitetail Ridge Neighborhood Association President Lori Kief and current Sherman Neighborhood Association Chair Michael Jelinek. As someone who has led two neighborhood associations, I understand how difficult it is for neighborhood issues to be addressed with the city. These leaders, and the others they are joining, know my commitment to work with the ten neighborhood and condo associations in District 12 to get things done.

I am very grateful for all the support I have received during the campaign and am excited as it continues to grow. Click here to see a complete endorsement list.

You are invited to “Music for Mike” - a benefit for my campaign on Sunday, January 28th from 4:00 to 7:00PM at the Harmony Bar (2201 Atwood Ave) featuring District 12 resident and Madison musical legend Jim Schwall. Opening will be David Spies and Friends.

Suggested Donation is $10, but all contributions are gratefully accepted. I’m very excited about this show. It’s should be a great time and I hope to see you on the 28th.

- Mike