Paul Soglin

Paul Soglin
Born	Paul Richard Soglin 22 4, 1945
Birthplace	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney
Known for	Longest-serving mayor of Madison, Wisconsin
Education	University of Wisconsin–Madison (BA, JD)
Spouse(s)	Sara Soglin
Children	3

Paul Richard Soglin (born April 22, 1945) is an American politician and attorney who served as the mayor of Madison, Wisconsin, across three non-consecutive periods spanning more than two decades. A member of the Democratic Party, Soglin first rose to prominence as a student activist and anti-war protester at the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the 1960s before winning the mayoralty in 1973 at the age of 27. His political career — rooted in the radical movements of the Vietnam War era and extending into the twenty-first century — made him one of the most consequential and polarizing figures in Madison's history. Soglin served as the city's 50th mayor from 1973 to 1979, as the 53rd mayor from 1989 to 1997, and as the 56th mayor from 2011 to 2019, accumulating a total of 22 years in office. Beyond the mayor's office, Soglin was the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district in 1996 and entered the 2018 Democratic primary for Governor of Wisconsin. In the years following his departure from office, Soglin has remained an active commentator on Madison municipal affairs, often criticizing the policies of his successors.

Early Life

Paul Richard Soglin was born on April 22, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. According to a retrospective by WORT-FM on the occasion of his 80th birthday, Soglin "was born and bred to be a radical," a characterization that reflected both his family background and the political environment in which he came of age. He grew up in the Chicago area during the postwar period, a time when progressive and labor politics held significant influence in the city's political culture.

Soglin moved to Madison, Wisconsin, to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he quickly became immersed in the activist movements that defined the campus during the 1960s. The university was a major center of anti-Vietnam War protest, and Soglin became a visible participant in demonstrations and political organizing. Madison during this period experienced significant social upheaval, with large-scale protests against the war, the Dow Chemical Company's campus recruiting (the company was a manufacturer of Agent Orange and napalm), and broader issues of civil rights and social justice.

Soglin's involvement in the protest movement was not merely peripheral. He was among the students who confronted police during demonstrations, and his activism brought him into direct conflict with university and city authorities. These experiences shaped his political identity and provided the foundation for his later career in electoral politics. The Wisconsin Historical Society has documented the broader context of Madison's protest era, noting the city's role as a focal point for the national anti-war movement.

Education

Soglin attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned both his Bachelor of Arts degree and his Juris Doctor degree. His time at the university coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in the institution's history, as the campus became a national epicenter for anti-war activism. Soglin's academic career was intertwined with his political activities; he was simultaneously a student, an activist, and eventually a candidate for local office. His legal education provided the professional credentials that would complement his political career, and he later maintained a connection to the university's La Follette School of Public Affairs, where he was listed as affiliated faculty or staff.

Career

Early Political Career and First Term as Mayor (1973–1979)

Soglin's entry into electoral politics grew directly out of his activist background. He first won a seat on the Madison Common Council, the city's legislative body, which gave him a platform to advance progressive policies at the municipal level. His visibility as a protest leader and council member set the stage for his first mayoral campaign.

In 1973, Soglin ran for mayor of Madison and won, defeating incumbent William Dyke in a contest that drew significant attention both locally and nationally. A 2025 column in The Cap Times compared the reaction to Soglin's victory to the surprise that greeted later left-wing electoral upsets, noting the alarm his win provoked among the political establishment. At the age of 27, Soglin became one of the youngest mayors in Madison's history, and his election was widely interpreted as a sign that the counterculture generation was beginning to assume political power.

Soglin's first term was marked by efforts to implement progressive governance in a midsized university city. He served two consecutive terms, remaining in office from April 17, 1973, to April 17, 1979. His predecessor was William Dyke, and he was succeeded by Joel Skornicka. During this period, Soglin established many of the themes that would define his political career: an emphasis on urban planning, neighborhood development, and an approach to governance that combined pragmatism with progressive ideals.

After leaving office in 1979, Soglin stepped away from the mayoralty but remained engaged in Madison's civic and political life. He practiced law and maintained his public profile, periodically weighing in on municipal issues.

Second Term as Mayor (1989–1997)

A decade after leaving office, Soglin mounted a successful comeback campaign and was elected mayor of Madison for a second time in 1989, succeeding F. Joseph Sensenbrenner Jr.. He served continuously from April 18, 1989, to April 15, 1997, a period of eight years that constituted his longest single stretch in office.

During his second tenure, Soglin oversaw Madison during a period of significant economic and demographic change. The city was growing and evolving, and Soglin's administration addressed issues of urban development, infrastructure, and city services. He was known for a hands-on management style and a willingness to engage directly with policy details. His approach sometimes put him at odds with members of the Common Council and with interest groups who sought a different direction for the city.

One notable episode from this period involved Soglin's veto of a liquor license for a Taco Bell restaurant, a decision that illustrated his willingness to use mayoral authority on matters that he considered relevant to the city's character and quality of life.

Soglin was succeeded by Susan J. M. Bauman in 1997.

Congressional Campaign (1996)

While still serving as mayor in 1996, Soglin ran as the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district. The race represented his most significant attempt to move beyond municipal politics to the federal level. He was ultimately unsuccessful in the general election, and he returned to his role as mayor for the remainder of his term before leaving office in 1997.

Period Out of Office (1997–2011)

Following his second departure from the mayoralty, Soglin spent more than a decade out of elected office. During this period, he maintained a connection to the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He also reflected publicly on his political career and on Madison's evolution. In a 2002 interview with Isthmus, Soglin discussed his relationship with the city and its enduring hold on his identity.

Third Term as Mayor (2011–2019)

In 2011, Soglin ran for mayor of Madison once again and won, defeating incumbent Dave Cieslewicz. He took office on April 19, 2011, beginning his third and final stint as mayor. His return to office was the subject of a New York Times profile, which described him as "a onetime radical" who had become "the establishment," underscoring the evolution of his political image over nearly four decades.

During his third term, Soglin was named to a leadership role with the United States Conference of Mayors, reflecting his status as one of the nation's most experienced municipal executives.

Among the policy initiatives of his third term, Soglin signed the city of Madison onto the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, an international agreement among cities to develop sustainable food systems.

Soglin also attracted attention for his public comments on international affairs. In 2016, following the death of Fidel Castro, he shared his recollections of the Cuban leader, describing Castro as having been "a popular leader" during certain periods of Cuban history.

2018 Gubernatorial Campaign

In 2018, while still serving as mayor, Soglin entered the Democratic primary for Governor of Wisconsin, joining a large field of candidates seeking to challenge incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker. His campaign emphasized his executive experience as a long-serving mayor but did not gain sufficient traction in a crowded primary field. He was not successful in the primary, and the Democratic nomination ultimately went to Tony Evers, who went on to defeat Walker in the general election.

Following his defeat in the gubernatorial primary, Soglin reversed course and announced that he would seek re-election as mayor of Madison in the spring 2019 contest. However, he was defeated by Satya Rhodes-Conway, who won decisively across nearly every part of the city. Soglin left office on April 16, 2019, marking the end of his 22-year cumulative tenure as mayor.

Post-Mayoral Activities

Since leaving office, Soglin has remained an active and frequently outspoken commentator on Madison municipal affairs. He has used opinion columns and public appearances to critique the policies of his successors and the direction of city governance. In a 2026 guest column in The Cap Times, Soglin argued that "voices of reason are not tolerated" in contemporary Madison politics, criticizing what he characterized as an anti-car, pro-tax agenda pursued by the city's progressive leadership. He has also been critical of the city's bus rapid transit investment, questioning whether ridership data justified the capital expenditure.

Soglin's post-office commentary has generated significant debate. Isthmus published a 2023 profile titled "Soglin being Soglin," which noted his pattern of publicly criticizing successive mayors including Joe Sensenbrenner, Sue Bauman, Dave Cieslewicz, and Satya Rhodes-Conway. Tone Madison published an analysis in 2024 characterizing Soglin as having moved in a conservative direction, writing that he "is officially a conservative" while noting that "to this day he staunchly touts his liberal bona fides from his ascent into politics." Another Tone Madison article in 2026 responded to Soglin's claims about a Madison "uniparty," arguing that the concept was not supported by the evidence.

Personal Life

Paul Soglin is married to Sara Soglin. The couple has three children. Soglin has maintained his residence in Madison, Wisconsin, throughout his adult life, reflecting the deep connection to the city that has defined his public career. In his 2002 interview with Isthmus, he spoke about Madison's enduring grip on his life and identity.

Soglin has also been associated with cultural projects related to Madison's history. He is connected to a project documenting the city's musical and cultural heritage, reflected in the "Waxing America" website.

Recognition

Soglin's role as one of the longest-serving mayors in Madison's history and as a prominent figure in the city's political culture has brought him sustained public attention over more than five decades. His appointment to a leadership position within the United States Conference of Mayors during his third term reflected national recognition of his experience in municipal governance.

The New York Times profiled Soglin in 2011, framing his return to office as a story about the transformation of a 1960s radical into a mainstream political figure, and situating his career within the broader narrative of the baby boom generation's passage from protest to governance.

On the occasion of his 80th birthday in April 2025, WORT-FM produced a multi-part retrospective on Soglin's life and career, examining his role in Madison's political history from the 1960s to the present.

In 2025, The Cap Times columnist Dave Zweifel compared the reaction to Soglin's 1973 mayoral victory to the surprise surrounding later left-leaning electoral upsets in other American cities, underscoring the historical significance of his initial election.

Legacy

Paul Soglin's career encapsulates a significant arc in American municipal politics: the journey from 1960s campus radicalism to decades of pragmatic urban governance. His 22 cumulative years as mayor of Madison make him the city's longest-serving chief executive, and his influence on the city's development — across issues of urban planning, economic development, and civic identity — has been a subject of ongoing analysis and debate.

Soglin's earliest political identity was forged in the anti-war protests at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and his first election as mayor in 1973 represented a generational shift in city politics. Over the following decades, his political positioning evolved. The New York Times in 2011 described his transformation from radical to establishment figure, while Tone Madison in 2024 argued that his trajectory had taken him into conservative territory on fiscal and transportation issues.

His willingness to re-enter politics repeatedly — returning to the mayoralty after absences of ten and fourteen years, respectively, and mounting campaigns for Congress and governor — demonstrated an unusual persistence in public life. His post-office career as an opinion columnist and public critic of subsequent administrations has kept him a relevant, if controversial, figure in Madison politics.

The comparison drawn by The Cap Times between Soglin's 1973 upset victory and later left-wing electoral surprises in other cities suggests that his initial rise to power holds an enduring place in the narrative of progressive politics in the United States. At the same time, the critical response to his later positions — from outlets such as Tone Madison and from letter writers challenging his claims about city transit policy — reflects the complexity of a political legacy that does not fit neatly into a single ideological category.