UPDATE — 5:28 P.M. (WKOW) — Dane County Executive Joe Parisi endorsed Satya Rhodes Conway for mayor over incumbent Paul Soglin. Meanwhile last month, Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney endorsed Soglin. Both are well-known community leaders and could help either candidate get additional votes.

Parisi’s endorsement came at a press conference Wednesday where he outlined why he was supporting Conway.

“We need a leader who can tap our vast potential and take our city to the next level,” said Parisi.

Rhodes Conway said with his support she hopes to increase communication and collaboration between their offices to get things done.

“Help the city catch up with where Dane County is and work together to bring both Dane and the city of Madison forward,” said Rhodes Conway.

Mayor Soglin said for years he’s disagreed with Parsi over transportation funds between the city and county. Soglin said the city has been “ripped off” being forced to cough up funds for highway projects when the city only has a few.

“With the little county roads in the city of Madison they’re expecting us to pay up more, that’s money that could have been used for bus mass transit,” said Soglin.

Soglin is not worried about Parisi support to Rhodes Conway and is proud to have Sheriff Mahone on his side. He said Mahoney supports his vision on how to take steps to reform criminal justice.

Both candidates will face off on April 2nd. The candidates have 11 debates scheduled until the general election. On Wednesday, a forum is scheduled at the Park Hotel at noon.

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MADISON (WKOW) — Dane County Executive Joe Parisi endorsed challenger Satya Rhodes Conway in Madison’s mayoral race.

The endorsement came at a 12:30 press conference where Parisi outlined why he was supporting Conway. “We need a leader who can tap our vast potential and take our city to the next level.”

Parisi has been a county executive since 2011, and before that served in the Wisconsin Legislature.

“I’m endorsing Satya because I believe she’s the person who possesses the qualities, commitment and know-how to take on that challenge,” Parisi said.

Rhodes-Conway returned the praise saying, “County Executive Parisi has been a real leader in our community, and I’m honored to have his support.”

Rhodes-Conway faces incumbent Paul Soglin in the Madison mayoral race. Soglin’s campaign manager says he was endorsed by another well-known community leader, Dane County Sheriff David Mahoney.