Fitchburg alder Joe Maldonado announced in a Facebook Live video Friday that he is running for State Assembly.
He will seek the seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. Jimmy Anderson, who announced last fall that he will run for State Senate.
“I live my values,” he said in the live video. “My values are truly centered around bringing the corners and the edges to the center, making sure that representation of all of our residents, of all the people that live in our communit,y are heard and implemented, as we decide all the huge decisions that we have to make, as we share power, that equity is truly centered in the work that we do.”
Maldonado told Madison365 that his four years as an alder on the Fitchburg Common Council has prepared him to serve in the Capitol.
“I’ve learned how to legislate and make decisions,” he said in an interivew Friday. “There’s so much that a member of a local office has to be aware of and learn about, that’s outside of their expertise. Just being able to rely on and trust staff, listen to the community, and really hear from people.”
Two accomplishments he’s most proud of include establishing a new polling place in one of the most densely populated parts of Fitchburg, which he said has increased voter turnout, and laying the groundwork for a new teen center in the city.
“We’ve had several community engagement studies and we’ve been able to actually hire youth to be a part of that process and pay them and give them skill sets and also a voice in what happens in the city,” he said.
His legislative priorities would continue to focus on youth, he said.
“My biggest priority is young people being able to have quality education for youth both inside of their school and outside of their school, not just in my district, but also throughout the state,” he said. “I want to contribute towards the changes that we need to see at the state level, whether it be the legalization of cannabis, the restoration of women’s reproductive rights, the expansion of BadgerCare. And also supporting policies that support our immigrant communities, such as bringing back in-state tuition for DACA students (and) driver’s licenses for all of our residents of Wisconsin, regardless of their status.”
Maldonado’s professional career has also focused on youth. He currently works as a bilingual community youth development program manager at University of Wisconsin-Extension and previously served United Way of Dane County as director of community impact for education.
Maldonado is vying to represent the newly drawn 47th district, which now encompasses the entire city of Fitchburg as well as Stoughton, portions of McFarland and much of southeastern Dane County. About half of the population of the new district is in Fitchburg.
Anderson did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Maldonado said he has the endorsements of former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, State Rep. Francesca Hong, Fitchburg Mayor Julia Aratta-Fratta, Fitchburg alders Bill Jetzer and Gabriella Gerhardt, and County Board Supervisor Kierstin Huelsemann.
Maldonado will begin gathering signatures to get on the ballot on April 15. If other Democrats enter the race, the partisan primary will take place August 13 and the general election on November 5.
