Kenneth Jackson, District 7 Candidate: From Madison City Schools to City Hall

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.

I’m running for Madison City Council to hear and value every voice. Since early March, I’ve personally knocked on over 2,400 doors in District 7, listening intently to what residents want. My professional background as a statistician and survey researcher prepared me to ask questions and study neighbors’ answers carefully. Those conversations informed my platform of common sense solutions to streamline traffic, budget responsibly, uphold schools, engage the community, and tailor development.

Regarding infrastructure, I’ll advocate for roundabouts where they make sense and would smooth flow. They reduce long-term maintenance costs and serious accidents (a persistent problem around town, it seems). At other intersections, I’ll seek to fund signals that can adapt to shifting traffic patterns on the fly. I’ll push for better walkability via sidewalks, wider paved paths, and accessible crosswalks. I’ll champion elevated enforcement of speeding, red light laws, and drag racing. Improving mobility throughout Madison will make it an even more attractive place to call home.

During budget deliberations, I’ll examine appropriations to internal departments and external agencies to confirm returns on investment. We must align spending with the collective will, ensure our first responders are fully equipped to protect us, and avoid overburdening the city with debt. I’ll welcome constituent input well in advance of major financial decisions (such as renovations to Toyota Field) and clearly communicate the justification for each. Transparency and openness are key to building trust between leaders and those they serve, and they’ll be a hallmark of my tenure in office.

Madison City Schools (MCS) bolsters our property values and prepares students for a bright future. After speaking with stakeholders, I’ve concluded that the system should continue to receive all revenues from the half cent sales tax that sunsets in 2027. As a result, I intend to support its renewal under the same arrangement. Furthermore, I’ll keep appointing sound, qualified members to the MCS Board of Education and stay in touch with its members and the superintendent regularly.

I’ve attended multiple recreation board meetings to learn about demands on youth sports leagues. Based on my observations, folks want upgrades to Palmer Park, additional swim lanes, and a splash pad as soon as possible. I’ll work toward equipment upgrades, restrooms, and additional shade at neighborhood parks (Brass Oak, Homestead, and Rollingwood, for example), so our kids can enjoy the outdoors year-round. To advise the city’s government from the next generation’s perspective, I propose an appointed council, grades 7 through 12, with representatives from all seven districts.

I graduated from Bob Jones High School in 2004. After earning a B.S. in Secondary Education from Auburn University, I taught Algebra II at The Montgomery Academy. Following an M.S. in Statistics from Ohio State, I analyzed data for research institutions and governments in Columbus, OH and our nation’s capital. My wife Laura (BJHS class of ‘03) is a small animal veterinarian. We moved back to Madison in 2022 to spend more time with extended family and enroll our daughter in the city’s excellent public schools. She’s a second grader at Rainbow Elementary, where I’ve read books to students regularly.

Since November 2024, I’ve coordinated the Beautification and Tree Board’s litter prevention program, Adopt-a-Spot. I also completed Madison’s Civic Awareness Academy, studying the issues facing our city over the next four years. Between other responsibilities, I work at a local restaurant and am an active member at church, volunteering on the hospitality team.

To conclude, I’m wholly committed to putting the people of District 7 first. That’s why I decline all contributions from developers, special interest groups, and political action committees. On a related note, I’ll vote for a slower rate of residential growth to avoid straining streets and services further. From 2016 to present day, our population has increased by roughly 30%; we need breathing room to catch up. In addition to dialogue at council meetings, I’ll stay attuned to citizens’ priorities via social media, a weekly newsletter, and bimonthly town halls. I’m excited to foster a sense of shared ownership at Madison City Hall. Let’s see what we can accomplish together!

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

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