Strain wins alderman seat by landslide with 92%

Strain wins alderman seat by landslide with 92%

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Sandra Strain was beaming and exclaimed she is “over the moon” about winning her late husband Warren’s seat by a landslide on Tuesday with 92% of the vote.

Unofficial results from Tuesday’s alderman-at-large election show Strain received 909 votes to 84 votes for Janice Jackson.

Strain said that she was “in a daze” after hearing the news but was thanking everyone.

“I want to thank everyone who came out on a cold, cold December day just a week before Christmas to cast a vote for me,” Strain said. “I am overwhelmed by the turnout. It gives me a massive sense of pride that people got out to make their voices heard.”

The votes will be certified after the required five-day waiting period for the receipt of absentee ballots by mail.

Strain says her priorities in office are many but that she specifically wants to maintain “the level of excellence that makes this city the place to live” and that she wants to see it continue to grow.

She said that maintaining the excellent schools in the city, keeping the citizenry safe and protecting property values were other priorities for her.

When asked if she would run again she replied simply, “Absolutely.” 

Her opponent said that she plans to run again as well. Jackson said that Strain had a leg up based on her existing public presence and the “widespread popularity of her husband.” 

Jackson said that her campaign was hampered by such a short time to campaign with only about two weeks.

Jackson has said that she ran because she thought it was important that the people of Madison had a choice and that she was very interested in politics on a local level.

State law requires a special election because more than six months remain in the current term of office. The term is set to end in the spring. State law sets the election process, the qualification guidelines and the timeline.

Warren Strain died two months ago after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage on Dec. 23.

Sandra Strain hopes to continue her husband’s legacy. 

“Warren left an imprint on the city and the state,” Strain said. “I have had two of the best mentors for this job. One in Mayor Mary outside my home and the other in Warren who I lived with forever.”

Strain said that she remembers going door to door with her husband and attending meetings with him.

“I want people to know that I am not just a housewife,” Strain said. “Warren and I did it together.”






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