Brian Benford, a former Madison alder and longtime social worker, is running for mayor of Madison, framing his campaign around racial equity, community-driven policy and what he calls a need for “truth and reconciliation” in city government.
“This city is broken. I have never seen the level of mistrust amongst the community and our elected officials,” Benford said in an interview for the 365 Amplified podcast. “I’m running because I believe in my whole heart about possibilities. I’m running because I am positive that I can bring together people from diverse backgrounds to really unite in unity, respect, and love to forge a socially just, racially just, and equitable city of Madison.”
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Benford, 67, has lived in Madison since 1979 and has spent 35 years working with children, parents and families as a social worker. He previously served as an alder before stepping aside after being drawn out of his district, saying at the time he wanted to make room for younger leaders.
He said Madison’s frequent appearances on national “best places to live” rankings mask a different reality for marginalized residents.
“It’s an amazing place for people with privilege,” Benford said. “For those that are historically marginalized, this is one of the most dismal places in the United States.”
Response to the shooting of Corey Ruiz
Benford has been outspoken on social media about the police shooting of Corey Ruiz and Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway’s response to it. He said that’s what prompted his run for mayor.
Asked how things would have looked different had he been mayor before Ruiz was killed, Benford said he would have gone to the scene of the shooting and the memorial encampment that took over the intersection for 12 days before being dismantled by City staff and police in the early morning hours of August 4.
“This notion that the current mayor didn’t go down there because she didn’t want to be perceived politically that she was pandering is ridiculous. It’s absurd,” Benford said. “You call Corey’s family first. You say, ‘What can I do as the mayor? I don’t want cameras following me. Do I have permission to visit you to offer my condolences?’ After that, you take flowers.”
He said a mayor should have invited demonstrators to leave the intersection where Ruiz was killed and march to the Madison Municipal Building instead.
“Let’s leave Corey’s memory not on that intersection, not in that dirty intersection,” he said. “But come with me as your mayor, and let’s walk to City Hall. I would open the doors of City Hall. I would care for the people in pain.”
Benford was also critical of the police and state patrol presence during the encampment response that followed, calling it “an attack” rather than a collaboration. He said that, as mayor, he would have ordered the police chief and command staff to the scene unarmed.
“You brought in armed goons into my neighborhood, into the city of Madison, to rouse the most marginalized people in our community,” Benford said. “How cowardly is that?”
Police oversight and the Office of the Independent Monitor
Benford said he supports the city’s Police Civilian Oversight Board and Office of the Independent Monitor, both created after years of advocacy following the 2020 police killing of George Floyd and the ad hoc committee’s 177 recommendations that followed the police shooting of Tony Robinson. He said the political will to fully fund and protect the independence of those bodies has been lacking since the alders who championed them left office.
“I completely support the Office of Independent Monitor. I completely support the PCOB,” Benford said. He said that on his first day in office, he would eliminate the deputy mayor position and redirect the savings to the Department of Civil Rights and the Office of the Independent Monitor.
Benford, who said relatives including his father, grandfather and older brother served as Milwaukee police officers, rejected the idea that he is anti-police. He also defended Independent Monitor Mika Glass, saying the personal attacks directed at her have been “despicable.”
Governing approach
Benford said he does not plan to bring a personal policy agenda into office and instead wants to build community-driven policy through direct engagement.
“I’m not going to have an office. I’m not going to have a desk. I’m not going to have a chair,” Benford said. “I’m going to be out in the community… one school a day, as mayor, one community-based organization a day.”
He said he intends to serve a single four-year term focused on developing younger leaders.
“I will serve one term, four years, and in that four years, I’m going to work with all of my heart to find emerging leaders, to find younger leaders, and give them the tools and skills and encouragement, and love, and support that they will lead this city,” he said.
A campaign website, benfordformadison.com, is expected to launch in the coming weeks.
