Ellen Zhang wins District 8 election, champions affordability, public transit

University of Wisconsin-Madison sophomore defeats opponent in closely watched race

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:37am

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A serene, realistic painting of a lone ballot box sitting in a dimly lit room, with warm sunlight streaming in through a window and casting deep shadows across the floor, conveying a sense of civic duty and the quiet importance of local elections.The closely watched District 8 election in Madison highlights the power of student voters to shape local politics.Madison Today

University of Wisconsin-Madison sophomore Ellen Zhang won the contested District 8 Common Council election Tuesday night, defeating sophomore Bobby Gronert by over 1,200 votes. Zhang's platform advocates for affordable housing, expanding public transit and pedestrian safety and accessibility across Madison.

Why it matters

District 8, which primarily represents the UW-Madison campus, serves as one of the most politically visible seats on the Madison Common Council because of its large student population and its role in issues affecting campus life, housing and city-university conversations.

The details

Zhang's victory comes after a campaign powered by an 'incredible community' of supporters, including endorsements from the College Democrats, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and former District 8 alder MGR Gonvindarajan. The race drew heightened attention hours before the election after Gronert publicly addressed past inappropriate messages to women that he described as 'overbearing and unintentionally creepy.'

  • Ellen Zhang won the District 8 Common Council election on Tuesday night (April 8, 2026).
  • The 2023 District 8 Alder elections saw a total of 4,507 votes, nearly double the 2,098 total votes in the 2026 election.

The players

Ellen Zhang

A University of Wisconsin-Madison sophomore who won the District 8 Common Council election.

Bobby Gronert

A University of Wisconsin-Madison sophomore who ran against Ellen Zhang in the District 8 Common Council election.

Satya Rhodes-Conway

The Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin who endorsed Ellen Zhang.

MGR Gonvindarajan

A former District 8 alder who served on the Madison Common Council for 3 years after being elected in 2023.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.