December 16, 2020

MADISON, WI- Keith Furman announced today he will run for re-election to continue representing District 19 after over 2 years on the Madison Common Council. The City of Madison continues to face challenging and formidable issues, such as addressing the deep racial inequities in our city, the urgency of flood mitigation and fighting climate change, and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. These difficult issues require proven experience. When it comes to the most pressing issues, Furman has been on the front lines of pushing the City towards solutions.

“I have learned a great deal about what is within our power as a municipal governing body and what is not, and that helps me focus on areas where I can actually affect change,” said Furman. “I will continue to advocate for policies at the municipal level that improve District 19 and the broader Madison community.”

“No public entity affects people’s daily lives more than local government. Because of this, a key tenet of my tenure on the council has been close engagement with my neighbors in District 19 and improving the accessibility of city processes. I’m proud to have chaired a task force focused on implementing changes to increase community engagement with the city and improve the efficiency of processes. My frequent office hours and communication are vital to incorporating the voices of my constituents into the policy-making process.”

While there is a daunting amount of progress still necessary, Furman’s policy accomplishments demonstrate his ability to find solutions for the unfinished work. Namely, Furman is committed to reimagining public safety and policing through a racial justice lens. “I proudly sponsored and supported the implementation of a crisis response team, police civilian oversight board, and an independent monitor of the Madison Police Department,” said Furman. “It’s important to recognize that public safety isn’t just law and order. While police need resources to focus on crime, they are not the solution to many of our societal issues. We must continue to make substantial investments towards better support systems for our community, including affordable housing and crisis response, which will lead to better outcomes.”

“Additionally, I recognize the urgency of addressing and mitigating flooding in District 19. I supported the funding of watershed studies and updating the City’s stormwater regulation. We need to continue to make our community more resilient by updating our development ordinances with more sustainability requirements and upgrading our public infrastructure. The City learned a lot from the watershed studies and it’s time to utilize the findings to work with the community on planning mitigation projects to improve resilience.”

Furman was a key proponent and supporter of the forward-looking Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system through his membership on the Transportation Policy and Planning Board. “An improved public transit system is incredibly valuable for all residents. It will reduce congestion on our roads, positively impact our environment and increase economic opportunities.” Furman said.

“I’ve enjoyed getting to know the residents of District 19 through my office hours, my booth at the West Side Farmers Market, committees, meetings and countless emails and phone calls. I have the experience to navigate City and Council process and the drive necessary to make Madison the equitable, sustainable, and accessible city its residents deserve,” Furman added.

Alder Furman’s committee assignments during his tenure on the Council include:

  • Finance Committee
  • Board of Public Works
  • Transportation Policy and Planning Board
  • Digital Technology Committee
  • Chair, Ad Hoc Task Force on The Structure of City Government (TFOGS) Final Report Implementation Work Group
  • Chair, Ad Hoc Landmarks Ordinance Review Committee
  • Performance Excellence Leadership Team
  • Committee on Employee Relations
  • President’s Work Group to Review Administrative Procedure Memoranda (APM) Applicable to Alders
  • Disability Rights Commission (9/4/2018 – 4/15/2019)
  • Task Force for Government Structure (4/16/2019 – 12/2019)
  • Urban Forestry Task Force (4/16/2019 – 12/2019)

Furman and his wife, Sandi Reinardy have called the Spring Harbor neighborhood home for over 7 years. He is a technology professional who most recently served as Chief Technology and Chief Strategy Officer for CenterX, a Madison-based health care technology company.

For more information, visit keithfurman.com.