Howdy District 1

Greetings District 1 neighbors,

I want to take a moment to introduce myself to you. My name is John Wesley Duncan, and I am honored to have been elected to serve you as the District 1 Common Council Alder in the Spring 2023 Election.

My husband, Tim, and I moved to Madison in November 2020 after Tim was called to serve as the pastor of First Baptist Church. As we have gotten to know our neighbors and explored the area, we have come to appreciate the friendly people, beautiful Wisconsin scenery, and various things to do and see in this fantastic city. We are so happy to call Madison home, and we can’t wait to grow our family here!

Our city is at an exciting crossroads, and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues on the Common Council to make Madison a better place for everyone—no matter who you are, where you come from, or how you imagine your future.

I bring nearly two decades of experience in the legal healthcare and compliance fields to city government. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Texas Christian University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Massachusetts School of Law. Currently, I am a Manager of Provider Network Contracting for Dean Health.

Throughout my career, I have advocated for vulnerable and underserved populations, ranging from patients living with HIV/AIDS to families receiving Medicaid. Now I seek to bring that same passion for advocacy and commitment to service to the Common Council on your behalf.

As your Alder, I plan to address many of the things that concern us all—issues like affordable housing, climate and sustainability, transportation, and working toward creating a more equitable community for everyone in Madison, from policing and racial justice to economic fairness and LGBTQ+ equality.

I recognize that I have big shoes to fill. My predecessor, Alder Barbara Harrington-McKinney, has represented District 1 well, and I look forward to following her example as I lead on your behalf. In the coming months, I hope to meet you as I host and attend public forums throughout the district. In the meantime, I invite you to contact me at district1@cityofmadison.com or by using the “Contact Alder Duncan” link on this page.

Sincerely,

John W. Duncan