Two Decades in Madison, Auburn Degrees, Countless Teams Coached: John Seifert, District 7 Candidate

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is part of a special election series from All Things Madison and has been published exactly as submitted by the candidate. All mayoral and city council candidates were invited to contribute a guest article at no cost. Submissions are shared in the order received and have not been edited for content. The goal of this series is to give every candidate an equal opportunity to share their vision, qualifications, and ideas directly with Madison residents. Madison’s municipal elections for city council and mayor will be held August 26th, 2025. Not sure which district you live in? Click here to view the map.

My name is John Seifert, and I’m proud to serve as the Madison City Councilman for District 7. I’ve been honored to represent my district and serve the entire city since 2016, and I currently hold the role of Council President. Madison has been home for over two decades, and it’s where my wife, Heather, and I chose to raise our family. Heather is a retired Madison City Schools’ Rainbow Elementary educator, and our son Drew, a Bob Jones rising Junior, keeps us grounded in the day-to-day realities that many local families experience.

By profession, I’m a mechanical engineer, Bachelors and Masters both from Auburn University, and serve as a Senior Program Manager and senior leader for a local defense contractor. My journey into public service wasn’t planned, but it was intentional. As I got more involved in youth sports and school volunteer programs like Watch Dads of Great Students (D.O.G.S.) and Cub Scouts, I began to see firsthand how local policy impacts daily life—from traffic patterns and field space to school funding and neighborhood safety. I’ve coached local Pop Warner football, city basketball, Madison Baseball Association, and led travel baseball teams for years. These experiences taught me that leadership begins with showing up consistently, listening intently, and putting in the work.

I brought that same mindset into city government: show up, listen, and deliver results. That philosophy has guided every decision I’ve made as a councilmember. Whether advocating for better infrastructure, supporting our schools, or working through complex budget decisions, I approach every issue as a neighbor first, then as a leader. Madison is a place I love deeply—not just for what it is, but for what it can become with the right vision and steady leadership.

Why are you running for office?

I’m running for re-election because Madison is at a pivotal point, and we need experienced, proven leadership to continue moving forward—not start over. In the last nine years, we’ve laid the foundation for real, lasting progress, and I want to ensure that work continues with the same focus, transparency, and dedication that got us here.

My reason for running is simple: I believe in Madison’s potential, and I know how to get things done. Over the years, I’ve built strong working relationships with city staff, school leaders, local businesses, and state lawmakers. I’ve earned a reputation for being a councilmember who listens first, leads with purpose, and follows through. That kind of leadership doesn’t make headlines—it makes headway.

We’re not just trying to maintain a good city—we’re trying to build a great one. Accolades like #1 Best Place to Live in Alabama and #9 Best Place to Live in the US prove our efforts. To do that, we have to grow wisely, support our schools effectively, and ensure our infrastructure and city services are keeping up. I’m running again to bring stability, strategic thinking, and continued results to that mission.

In a time when political rhetoric often drowns out real work, I’ve stayed focused on what matters: people, partnerships, and progress. Madison families deserve leaders who are consistent, present, and proven—and that’s exactly what I bring to the table.

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

If re-elected, my focus will remain on the fundamentals that make Madison a thriving, livable, and future-ready city: smarter infrastructure, a stronger local economy, continued school support, and improved quality of life for all residents.

On infrastructure, I will continue working to widen key roadways, complete long-overdue sidewalk and greenway connections, and advocate for technology-driven traffic solutions. For example, I’ve already helped secure funding for Gooch / Balch and Gooch / Wall Triana intersection improvements and connectivity projects that reduce congestion and increase walkability. But we’re not done. Areas like Balch, Wall Triana, Gooch, Brownsferry and Gillespie need continued investment to keep pace with growth—and I’m ready to lead those efforts from day one.

On economic development, I want to build on the momentum we’ve created by supporting policies that attract high-quality businesses while protecting the character of our neighborhoods. This includes actively recruiting businesses adding energy to revitalization efforts in our downtown, Highway 72 and Madison Blvd corridors. Also, I want to continue improving the permitting and zoning process so small businesses and entrepreneurs have a clearer, faster path to success.

One of my top priorities is continuing to push for reform of the Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT). Right now, cities like Madison are at a disadvantage when it comes to online sales tax—despite being a driving force in the state’s retail economy. I’ve been a vocal advocate at the state level to modernize this tax structure so that a greater share of online sales tax comes directly back to the communities where purchases originate. This is critical revenue that could help fund road improvements, public safety, and—just as importantly—our schools.

Speaking of schools, I’ll contintinue strengthening the city-school partnership. As a councilmember, I’ve supported the successful passage of a property tax increase to fund school capital needs and supported our decision to voluntarily share a portion of online sales tax revenue with Madison City Schools—one of the few cities in Alabama doing so. Also, I support maintaining, and making permanent, the current 1/2 cent sales tax passed originally to build James Clemens for direct support of our schools. I will continue looking for ways to grow the revenue pie, SSUT reform being key, so that both our city services and our schools can thrive together, not compete for limited resources.

Finally, I’m committed to expanding parks, green spaces, and recreation. Madison families want improved and more places to play, connect, and recharge. That’s why I’ll continue investing in park upgrades, trail expansion, and long-term planning for a connected greenway system that serves both recreation and transportation needs. These aren’t luxuries—they’re investments in quality of life and public health that attract residents and businesses alike.

What makes you uniquely qualified to serve Madison?

I bring a combination of experience, results, and a deep understanding of how Madison works that few others can match. Having served on the council for nearly a decade—and now as Council President—I’ve been at the center of every major decision shaping Madison’s growth, infrastructure, and fiscal policy during that time. I know what it takes to get things done in local government, and I’ve built the relationships to do it.

One of the things that makes me uniquely qualified is my ability to balance technical knowledge with community perspective. My background in engineering and program management gives me the analytical tools to evaluate complex infrastructure and budget issues. But my role as a father, husband, coach, and volunteer keeps me rooted in the day-to-day needs of our residents. That dual lens helps me lead with both insight and empathy.

I’ve helped guide the city through major initiatives, including the creation of Madison’s capital improvement plan, targeted investments in public safety, and the planting of the seed for Town Madison, Toyota Field, from which we have seen tax revenues increase from $383k to projected to be just shy of $4M this year. I’ve worked directly with department heads to prioritize resources, championed smarter planning to reduce sprawl, and supported economic incentives that have brought high-quality jobs and retail options to Madison.

Just as importantly, I’ve shown up. Whether it’s meeting with citizens at their homes, in restaurants, at church, out in the community or at the grocery store; fielding calls from residents; or meeting with local business owners, I’ve built trust by being accessible and accountable. During my tenure, I’ve heard countless stories—from parents worried about school capacity to business owners frustrated by red tape to homeowners needing their roads repaired to seniors needing safer road crossings—and I’ve turned those concerns into action. That’s what real representation looks like.

Being Council President has also given me a citywide perspective. In this role, I’ve worked with all six council members, the mayor, and city administration to build consensus and move projects forward. It’s not always easy, but it’s necessary—and it’s a role I’ve taken seriously because Madison deserves a council that works together, not against each other.

I also understand that progress doesn’t happen in isolation. That’s why I’ve fostered relationships at the state level—working with legislators to advocate for reforms that benefit Madison, from online sales tax policy to funding for road improvements and education. These relationships take time to build and even longer to make productive. I’ve already done that work—and we’re just starting to see the return.

Ultimately, what makes me uniquely qualified is not just what I’ve done, but how I’ve done it: by listening, building coalitions, solving problems, and staying laser-focused on results. Madison doesn’t need promises—it needs proven leadership. That’s what I’ve delivered, and that’s what I’m asking voters to let me continue doing on August 26th and humbly ask for their continued support and votes.

To read additional submissions to this 2025 Municipal Election series on All Things Madison, click here. 

Click to read an additional bio about John Seifert on the Madison Chamber of Commerce’s website.