Shortly after Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced Friday that she would not run for reelection, Jason Ilstrup, president of Downtown Madison Inc. said. Isthmus he is “strongly considering” running for mayor.
“I’ve heard from neighbors, small business owners, community organizers and longtime friends urging me to run for mayor,” he said in a statement. “I’m seriously considering it. Over the next few weeks, I’ll take time to talk with my family and people in our community about what Madison needs next.”
He also praised the mayor: “Mayor Rhodes-Conway has dedicated much of her career to public service, including two terms leading our city, and I am grateful for what she has given to Madison.
In 2024 Isthmus profile, Ilstrup acknowledged that he has “always been interested in the position” of mayor and would consider it “at some point” in his life. When Rhodes-Conway announced in July that she was seeking a third term, he said Isthmus he wouldn’t run in 2027 because he “really likes the work” he does at Downtown Madison Inc.
But Ilstrup declared his interest in running for mayor less than an hour after Rhodes-Conway’s announcement that she would not seek a third term. He would join an already large field that includes Syed Abbas, Brian Benford, Kaleem Caire, Natalia Hacerola, Jonny Hinds, Marcus Robert Johnson, April Kigeya and Larry “Ace” Williams. Isthmus follow the race here.
Ilstrup has lived in Madison since 2011. He has led DMI, Madison’s downtown advocacy nonprofit, since 2018. Before that, he worked in the hospitality industry — as director of operations at the Iron Horse Hotel, in Milwaukee, and as general manager of what is now HotelRED, in Madison.
“From the Peace Corps to the hospitality industry, and now, as president of Downtown Madison Inc., I have built my career around serving others,” Ilstrup said in his statement. “Madison is the place I call home and while there are so many reasons people are drawn to our city, not everyone has been a part of its success. This is a difficult time for many here in our community. Every Madisonian deserves to thrive and I wholeheartedly believe we can do that by continuing to learn from each other, examining our past successes and failures, and envisioning a future rooted in shared community values. That starts with making Madison more affordable building the housing our city needs, supporting the workers and businesses that keep our neighborhoods thriving, and ensuring every resident feels like City Hall is working for them. I love this city and I’m excited about how we can grow together.
Ilstrup was born in Milwaukee but grew up primarily in Minneapolis. He earned a law degree from the University of Minnesota and worked on the staffs of Congressmen Barney Frank and Martin Sabo before moving to Madison, where he worked for State Rep. Tom Nelson.
The 2024 Isthmus Ilstrup’s profile details Ilstrup’s high energy and enthusiasm as well as his ability to make interpersonal connections. Author Doug Moe spoke with Aaron Mullins, executive director of the Dane County Parks Foundation, about Ilstrup’s potential ambitions as mayor. “My wife and I call him Mr. Madison,” Mullins said. “People say he should run for mayor. I don’t want him to run for mayor. I’m afraid people will be mean to him.”
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