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City of Madison

Alder Sabrina Madison and Alder Carmella Glenn Will Serve as New Council Leadership

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Today, the Madison Common Council smoothly transitioned to new leadership with a single nomination for both President and Vice President. Outgoing President Alder Regina Vidaver nominated Alder Sabrina Madison from District 17 for President, and Alder John P. Guequierre nominated Alder Carmella Glenn for Vice President. Both alders were elected to their leadership roles through a unanimous vote. 

New Council President Sabrina Madison and Vice President Carmella Glenn in the Council Chambers

New Council President Sabrina Madison (District 17) and Vice President Carmella Glenn (District 18).

While I've had the pleasure of serving my district for the past 5 years, serving the city as a whole as Council President was an absolute honor. I am confident that Alder Madison will shine as the next Council President, and we can expect to see additional positive developments for Council over the next year.

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Alder Regina Vidaver

President Sabrina Madison was first appointed to the Common Council in October 2022 to fill the vacant District 17 seat after Alder Gary Halverson resigned. Vice President Carmella Glenn joined the Common Council in April 2025 and was recently re-elected in the April 2026 election. It is a joyous day for both the East and North sides of Madison. Congratulations to President Madison and Vice President Glenn!

I greatly appreciate my fellow alders for electing me to serve in this role over the next year. I intend to prioritize education and resources for alders and increase engagement with residents across the city, especially with our neighbors we may not often hear from. I also want to extend a big thank you to the many people in this community who have supported my leadership over the years. I am honored to serve as your next President of the Madison Common Council. Let's get to work!

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President Sabrina Madison

The Common Council also expressed gratitude to former Council President Regina Vidaver and former Vice President MGR Govindarajan. Alder Vidaver will continue to serve until she is up for re-election in April 2027, whereas former Alder Govindarajan chose not to run again in the 2026 alder election. Govindarajan served as an alder since April 2023. Alder Vidaver has been on the Common Council since April 20, 2021, and was elected President in the April 2025 Council leadership election.

Govindarajan read Alder Vidaver's outgoing honoring resolution, in which he commended her dedicated service during her presidency. He noted that, under her leadership, Common Council meetings averaged 125 minutes in length, making it the shortest average meeting duration of any Common Council President's tenure since 2010 by over 30 minutes. 

Alder Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford joined Alder Mike Verveer in reading Govindarajan's outgoing resolution, commending him for uplifting student voices and strengthening the connection between the University of Wisconsin-Madison community and City government. Alder Regina Vidaver and Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole also shared farewell words about their colleague. Vidaver remarked, “Alder Govindarajan brought maturity beyond his years." Alder Figueroa Cole added, “This job is rewarding, but it is hard. It's frustrating. It's constrained by state laws, budgets, and the reality that, no matter what you do, someone will be unhappy. Sometimes it gets lonely. And yet, you showed up anyway—consistently, thoughtfully, and with just enough facial expression to let me know that I am not alone."

This job is rewarding, but it is hard. It's frustrating. It's constrained by state laws, budgets, and the reality that, no matter what you do, someone will be unhappy. Sometimes it gets lonely. And yet, you showed up anyway—consistently, thoughtfully, and with just enough facial expression to let me know that I am not alone.

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Alder Figueroa Cole

If you missed today's Common Council Swearing-In Ceremony, you can catch the moving moments on the City's Media Channel. The Common Council will reconvene at 6:30 PM to discuss important agenda items, including revisions to 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 take place in the Madison Municipal Building, Room 215, and will be held in hybrid format. You can find the full agenda here. 

To learn more about President Sabrina Madison and Vice President Carmella Glenn, please visit their respective alder pages on the Common Council website.

For inquiries or additional information, please contact the Common Council Office by email at council@cityofmadison.com or by phone at (608) 266-4071.

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.

Madison Common Council group picture in the Council Chambers

Group picture of Common Council members at the Tuesday afternoon Swearing-In Ceremony.

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