Welcome to the District 16 Blog!

Hi everyone! My name is Sean O’Brien, and I was recently sworn in as the new Alder for District 16. I’m incredibly honored to have earned your trust and look forward to representing you on the Madison Common Council. Our city has a lot of opportunities and challenges on the horizon, and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

As your alder, it is my priority to be accessible and listen to your needs, hopes, and concerns for Madison. I am in the process of setting up regular office hours that I’ll be hosting throughout the district, and I’ll be using this blog frequently to keep District 16 residents informed on all things city government.

I hope this blog serves as just one tool for you to connect with me on a regular basis and a place where I can provide updates on what’s happening across our district and city.

I look forward to meeting you and working together over the course of my term! Please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can always get in touch with me at district16@cityofmadison.com.

-Sean

About Me

My name is Sean O’Brien (he/him) and I am a lifelong Madisonian, Eagle Scout from Troop 34, and proud product of our city’s public schools. 

I grew up on the east side just behind the Barrymore Theater and attended Lapham, Marquette, O’Keeffe, and East High School. I had my first job at the Chocolaterian Café on Atwood Avenue and was an intern in the Wisconsin State Legislature and then in Governor Evers’ office. I attended Edgewood College and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2020 with a major in Political Science and a minor in photography. After graduation, I bought my first home right here in District 16 in the Richmond Hill neighborhood.

I now work as the Policy and Advocacy Director for Fair Wisconsin, our state’s LGBTQ+ civil rights and political advocacy organization. Over the past five years, I have led our policy efforts to expand nondiscrimination protections, defend the rights of those living with HIV, and stand up for the LGBTQ+ community in Wisconsin. 

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, spending time outdoors, and photographing Wisconsin’s natural landscape. I am also a big foodie and love trying out new recipes in the kitchen with friends and family.

My term representing District 16 started earlier this week on Tuesday, April 15th. In addition to my service on the Common Council, I have been appointed to serve on the Transportation Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Sustainable Madison Committee. 

About District 16

District 16 is the largest district in the city, encompassing 12 neighborhood associations and stretching from Reston Heights and Elvehjem all the way down to Secret Places, Lost Creek, and McFarland.

Our district has more than a dozen parks and lots of beautiful walking trails and bike paths. We are also home to the Dane County Landfill, Fire Station 14, Elvehjem Elementary, and so much more. 

Ways to Contact Me

The best way to get in touch with me is by emailing district16@cityofmadison. I will always strive to be responsive to your emails and calls when you need to reach me with questions, comments, or concerns. I am also working to scheduling regular office hours throughout the district so we can meet in person, discuss the issues that matter to you, and get to know each other better!

Second, I am in the process of creating official District 16 social media accounts as another way to stay in contact with the community and share updates on what's happening in city government.

Finally, I want to try to attend as many neighborhood association meetings and community events as possible. I am currently connecting with each neighborhood association in the district, but if I haven't had a chance to get in touch with you, please feel free to reach out at district16@cityofmadison.com. I also look forward to hosting neighborhood meetings and listening sessions about city-related projects.

It's an honor to represent my neighbors on the Madison Common Council and serve our communities on the far east side. This is a job I take seriously, and I am eager to hear from you!

Upcoming Events and Meetings

• Coffee With a Cop - April 22nd at 2:00pm
• Transportation Commission - April 23rd at 5:00pm
• Sustainable Madison Committee - April 28th at 4:30pm
• Common Council - May 6th at 6:30pm
• Equal Opportunities Commission - May 8th at 5:00pm