MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – Madison Alder Nasra Wehelie is running for state Assembly in District 80, which represents southwest Madison, Verona, Cross Plains, and the town of Middleton.
District 80 is currently represented by Rep. Mike Bare (D-Verona) and Rep. Alex Joers (D-Middleton) due to redistricting. Bare will run for reelection in his current district, and Joers is instead running in District 81, which represents most of Middleton.
Wehelie was first elected to the Madison Common Council for the city’s 7th alder district in 2020, and has also worked on the Wisconsin League of Municipalities. If elected, she would be the first female Muslim to serve in Wisconsin’s state Assembly.
Wehelie says she would bring a community-centered approach to her role in the Assembly, and draws from her lived experiences to address critical issues like housing, women’s rights, education, economic development, criminal justice reform, and sustainability.
“Through my advocacy work in equity, access, and opportunity, I will be a strong voice and make tangible, sustainable progress in the state legislature,” said Wehelie. “The residents of the new 80th district deserve a choice on the ballot. The challenges our district faces demand a new perspective and bold action in the halls of our state capitol.”
She says she already has the support of a number of local elected officials, including Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Fitchburg Mayor Julia Aratta-Fratta, and ten members of the Madison Common Council.
“Alder Nasra Wehelie has a proven record as a strong advocate for equity and social justice,” said Madison Alder Barbara Harrington-McKinney from District 20.
“Alder Nasra Wehelie is an impressive leader,” said Alder Marsha Rummel of District 6. “I’ve had the honor of serving with her on the Madison Common Council since 2020. The new District 80 will benefit from Nasra’s progressive approach to sustainability, women’s rights, and access to safe and affordable housing. She brings a commitment to understanding power and the root causes of issues to make a better world for all.”
Wehelie is expected to run as a Democrat, which means that she will face Rep. Bare in a primary election on August 13. The general election will take place on November 5.
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