Two Dane County leaders have joined the race for county executive, doubling the number of candidates campaigning for the influential position.
County Board Supervisor Dana Pellebon and Office for Equity and Inclusion Director Wes Sparkman have both announced that they will seek the office in the November election.
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi already backed state Sen. Melissa Agard for the role, and Madison City Council member Regina Vidaver launched her campaign last year.
Parisi announced his retirement in October and is leaving office a year in May, a year before his term ends. He was first elected in 2011 to the role, the chief leader of the county with the power to sign or veto bills passed by the Board of Supervisors, manage county government agencies and finances, oversee services and appoint department heads.
The November special election is still over nine months away and more candidates could yet join the race, but Parisi told the Cap Times in January he is certain of his endorsement of Agard.
Wes Sparkman: 'I'm a proven leader'
Sparkman, who has been in Dane County since he was 17 and completed both undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said he didn’t feel “nervous at all” about entering the race after Parisi’s endorsement.
“The reason I’m running is because I care and because I’m a proven leader,” Sparkman told the Cap Times. “I have a vision for Dane County that is going to move the county forward.”
Sparkman also served as the chairman of the board for the Wisconsin region of SSM Health, as well as for the UW-Madison School of Sociology board of visitors. He was president of both the Madison Rotary Club and the Madison Rotary Foundation, and served two terms as president for Madison’s Police and Fire Commission.
It is that leadership experience that Sparkman says distinguishes him from his opponents in the race.
“Dane County is a beautiful place, but a huge part of my goal is to help develop a place where Dane County can continue to thrive and grow,” Sparkman said. “There are some challenges related to education disparities, affordable housing and, of course, job opportunities. Working to develop our economy is a huge part of my vision.”
Sparkman’s website lists some of his campaign promises, such as funding “cost-effective social programs that provide mental health support, facilitate addiction recovery and expand access to affordable childcare.”
He said he would prioritize balancing economic development with social programs and transparent community engagement.
Dana Pellebon: 'We need bold action'
Pellebon, who currently serves on the board and as the executive director of the Rape Crisis Center, announced her campaign Feb. 7.
"I'm running for county executive because I believe Dane County deserves a leader who has worked with and in our community at all levels for over 30 years," Pellebon said in a statement.
"We need bold action on criminal justice, health systems and affordable housing. My proven leadership with compassion, integrity and equity in all spaces will deliver a better Dane County for us all."
Pellebon began her career with a local property management company before becoming the director of housing and operations at Porchlight, a nonprofit that provides services and shelter to those experiencing homelessness.
She was elected to the County Board in 2022 to represent District 33 in Fitchburg, where she has supported social justice causes and been one of the main proponents of a smaller jail that will incarcerate fewer Black people. Her campaign centers around a similar mission with three pillars:
- Expanding access to mental health care and prioritizing preventive public health measures.
- Implementing data-driven criminal justice reforms, addressing racial disparities in incarceration and promoting restorative justice practices.
- Building more affordable housing options and investing in sustainable infrastructure.
If either is elected, Pellebon or Sparkman would be Dane County’s first Black county executive. About 6% of county residents are Black and about 22% overall are people of color, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
The race for county executive will be the most competitive since Parisi was first elected in 2011, when six candidates sought the seat. Most elections for the role have since been uncontested.
A primary for the county executive race will be held on Aug. 13, and the general election will be Nov. 5. Robert Harlow also is listed as a candidate on the Dane County elections website but told the Cap Times he is not seeking the office.
