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City of Madison

Common Council Welcomes New Members Committed to Serving Madison’s Future

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On Tuesday, April 21, the Madison Common Council is excited to welcome two new alders: District 8 Alder-Elect Ellen Zhang and District 14 Alder-Elect Noah Lieberman! Both successfully won their campaigns in the spring election on April 7, 2026. We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who ran for alder this year. Your dedication to making a positive impact at the local level is truly commendable, and it shows your passion for improving the lives of Madison residents.

The swearing-in ceremony will be held on Tuesday, April 21, at 12:00 PM in the City-County Building, Room 201. You can join us in person or via Zoom, whichever works best for you. During the ceremony, we'll honor the service of our outgoing alders, swear in our newly elected and returning alders, and elect the next Common Council President and Vice President. Later in the evening, we'll gather again at 6:30 PM to discuss some important agenda items, including revisions to the ordinances related to the Office of the Independent Police Monitor and the Police Civilian Oversight Board. The 6:30 PM portion of the Council meeting will be held in Madison Municipal Building, Room 215, also in hybrid format. 

Because the Council now has staggered terms, only the even-numbered districts were up for election this year.  Alder seats in odd-numbered districts will be up for election in 2027. This means that even-numbered and odd-numbered district alders will have elections in alternating years. In addition to the ten alders from odd-numbered districts who are continuing with their service, we're also pleased to welcome back eight returning and two new alders from even-numbered districts. Learn a little bit more about the two new Common Council members below:

Alder Elect Ellen Zhang is smiling and wearing a red bandana around her head, a blue button up shirt and glasses

District 8 Alder-Elect Ellen Zhang

District 8 Alder-Elect Ellen Zhang is a Chinese American UW-Madison student and artist. She is prioritizing equity and affordability in Madison. Her main focuses are on housing and transportation. She is seeking to empower more young people in local government.

Alder Elect Noah Lieberman is wearing dark rimmed glasses, a green shirt and is smiling while standing in front of a window with trees in the background.

District 14 Alder-Elect Noah Lieberman

District 14 Alder-Elect Noah Lieberman plans to focus on housing, making it more affordable across Madison for both renters and homeowners, developing new senior and workforce housing on the South Side, and strengthening tenants' rights. He also wants to prioritize pedestrian safety on South Park St and across district 14. Lastly, he is focused on bringing city resources together to protect Madison's vulnerable communities.

To learn more about the Common Council and its members and stay informed about what's happening in your district, you can subscribe to your alder's blog by visiting their alder page on the Common Council website. If you're unsure who your alder is, you can find out by entering your address on the “Find My Alder" page of the Common Council website. 

To receive timely updates about the Common Council as a whole, subscribe to our resident newsletter on our Email Lists page. As always, you can contact the Common Council Office by emailing council@cityofmadison.com or by calling (608) 266-4071.

We look forward to a wonderful ceremony and productive meetings ahead!

About the Madison Common Council 

The Common Council's mission is to represent the residents of Madison by promoting the safety, health, and general well-being of the community, by incorporating the following City core values: Equity, Civic Engagement, Well-Being, Shared Prosperity, and Stewardship. Visit the City of Madison Common Council website for additional information.

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