535 Liquor Licenses, 3 Chihuahuas, and 1 Run for Mayor: Meet Margi Daly, Madison Mayoral Candidate
Margi Daly is a longtime Madison resident who previously served as a City and County Commissioner in a metro area of 750,000 people. She’s managed over 535 liquor licenses as an ABC Commissioner, worked alongside the ATF, and has attended nearly every Madison City Council meeting over the past three years. Daly moved to Madison in 2004 after a cross-country search for a new home and credits the city’s environment with helping her recover from a years-long health battle. She’s now running a grassroots campaign for mayor focused on transparency, infrastructure, and community involvement.
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.
In 2004, I relocated from the New York tristate area to Madison. In 1998, I faced a severe health scare that lasted for three years, leaving me with some permanent disabilities. Despite the challenges, I fought valiantly for my life and will continue to fight for our community.
After the September 11th attacks, I decided to leave the city. I vividly remember watching the second plane hit while walking my dog.
I embarked on a journey across the country, visiting family. After exploring various places and making numerous visits, I chose Madison and purchased my home in 2004.
I was born in the Bronx, New York. My family was displaced by the interstate and relocated to Long Island, where I grew up in a beautiful environment. I moved to New York City and continued working and attending school part-time. I’m married with three special needs chihuahuas.
I’ve been employed in the restaurant industry since I was 12, learning the ropes from busgirl to manager. I pursued my education through the Medical Technical Institute in New Jersey, alongside community college. I completed my internship with surgeons and was subsequently hired. I then pursued continued education in the field of general and vascular surgery through my employees. I’m certified in OSHA,Doppler studies…
I believe in Liberty and our Constitution. I’m committed to upholding it by restoring transparency and public speaking. I hope the new Council will recognize the voters’ right to have a voice. It’s crucial to ensure our schools continue to excel and rise in national rankings. The current federal funding available primarily focuses on employment-ready technical schools. In my hometown, we had cosmetology, nursing, electrician, and IT programs , making graduates employable. We should consider exploring these options.
I will bring full transparency to our local government. All public meetings will be live-streamed and posted to YouTube . The agendas will be posted on our website 7 days prior to all meetings, giving the public plenty of time to email any concerns.
I believe our Public Works department could be expanded with a night crew. With proper lighting, roadwork will be completed in less time,workers will be less stressed from the hot sun, and traffic can be more controlled. We need to synchronize our traffic lights and update them to red arrows from blinking yellow for safety. We need an app for traffic alerts and train warnings.
We will encourage both small and large businesses. There will be federal funds available for small businesses. The available funds will be publicly listed on our City website, making them accessible to all for application.
I’m an advocate for parental rights. I believe parents should have a voice on every aspect of their children’s education. Triana children go to our schools; they should have a seat on the school board. Allowing no parental representation from Triana is an injustice.
The primary reason I’ve decided to run is my observation of our local government over the past 20 years. I’ve witnessed significant changes made by the current Council and administration. One of the most concerning issues was the City Manager issue, where the law usurps the voters’ voices permanently. After seeking legal advice on the Alabama City Manager law and confronting the misinformation presented at public meetings, we educated the public through community outreach. We discovered that many were unaware of the consequences.
Madison gave me the determination to restore my health through proper nutrition and exercise. I would love to reciprocate and serve the citizens of Madison.
I have several physical disabilities, but my current physicians assure me that they will not hinder my job performance. The fresh air, beautiful surroundings, and strong sense of community are all things I love about our city. Our citizens deserve a mayor who will prioritize their needs and put them first.
I am running a grassroots campaign with no special interests funding.
In my previous city, I witnessed the government imposing a tax burden on single-family homes and using eminent domain to seize family homes and land for the benefit of developers. I am concerned that seniors and young families will also be burdened by excessive taxes and fees. Our long-term debt, including City ,schools, and water, is over 1 billion dollars and will not be paid off till 2054. Short-term debt is also out of hand.
My neighborhood was historic, and I actively participated in various volunteer efforts throughout my life, including helping to save the last cobblestone road from being paved over and having it declared historic on the New Jersey State Registry.
However, within a few years, it became unaffordable for many residents, including myself. I observed similar actions taken in the past five years, which led me to feel compelled to step up and advocate for the Madison City Constituents.
I have been elected as a City and County Commissioner in my previous city, which had a population of 1/4 million and a county population of 1/2 million. Additionally, I was appointed as the ABC Commissioner, overseeing over 535 liquor licenses and managing all regulations, revocations, and collaborating with the ATF.
With my extensive life experience and the expertise of the City employees, I am confident that we can address the needs of our residents before wants, improving our infrastructure and overall quality of life.
I have consistently attended more Council meetings than those elected to the position and have only missed two Council meetings in the last 3 years.
My favorite quote by Edmund Burke: “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”
I am offering the voters a different choice: a local government that truly represents the people. Please visit my website, MadisonGrassroots.com, and consider me for the office on August 26th.
Thank you,
Margi Daly
To read additional submissions to this 2025 Municipal Election series on All Things Madison, click here.
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