The Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® (HAAR) is pleased to announce endorsements for upcoming Madison City Elections on August 26th. These endorsements follow a comprehensive process that included numerous candidate interviews and thorough evaluation of completed questionnaires from candidates who chose to engage with Realtors® and our Government Affairs committee by HAAR.
The HAAR Board of Directors approved the Government Affairs Committee’s endorsement recommendations on June 26th, 2025.
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For Mayor: Ranae Bartlett
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Bartlett’s commitment to responsible economic growth and fostering a business-friendly environment directly supports HAAR’s mission to inform, influence, and empower a thriving real estate market.
Her focus on investing in city infrastructure, including roads and sidewalks, is crucial for enhancing property values and overall quality of life, which directly benefits homeowners and potential buyers, aligning with HAAR’s emphasis on Housing and Community.
Bartlett’s background in fiscal management and her stated intent to address sales tax challenges and gather consensus on growth demonstrates a practical approach to governance that can create a predictable and supportive environment for homeownership, a key priority for HAAR in fostering attainable housing.
Finally, Ranae Bartlett’s emphasis on collaborative work – whether it’s with other municipalities or other departments within the City of Madison – makes her the right person for the job, as decades of collaboration are to thank for the success our region has seen.
For City Council, District 1: Maura Wroblewski
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HAAR is proud to endorse Maura Wroblewski for Madison City Council. Maura has consistently demonstrated a strong record of partnership with HAAR, working collaboratively on issues vital to homeowners, those potentially entering the real estate market, and the Madison community at large. We’ve seen firsthand her dedication to ensuring that all voices are heard on major decisions affecting Madison. Her commitment to open dialogue and inclusive problem-solving makes her an invaluable asset to the City Council.
For City Council, District 2: David Bier
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David Bier’s questionnaire responses focused on Madison’s growth and quality of life. Bier strongly advocates for private property rights, viewing them as essential for individual prosperity and business growth. He emphasizes the importance of homeownership, seeing it as creating long-term stability and opportunity for families.
His priorities as a candidate align with key community concerns, including the renewal of the 1/2 cent sales tax to support Madison’s schools, which he identifies as a primary driver of property value and quality of life.
Bier also stresses fiscal discipline, strategic planning, and sound financial management to support economic development opportunities. Furthermore, for District 2, he highlights the need for thoughtful planning regarding commercial and residential growth that aligns with “Madison on Track 2045”.
Bier’s extensive background in business and non-profit leadership, coupled with his commitment to service and intentional leadership, suggests a candidate well-prepared to navigate Madison’s growth while preserving its character and ensuring a high quality of life
For City Council, District 3: Billie Goodson
Goodson stresses a strong commitment to core tenets vital for the Madison community and the real estate market. He emphasizes the importance of homeownership as a key component of the American Dream and a way for people to invest in an area.
Goodson also plans to strengthen fair housing policies and practices to ensure all citizens have access to fair housing. Priorities include managed growth, maintaining excellent school systems, and practicing good stewardship of land and capital investment projects.
Goodson’s belief in open discussions and government transparency further indicates a leadership style conducive to collaborative community development.
For City Council, District 4: Michael McKay
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Michael McKay is well-suited to address the concerns of the Madison community, particularly those relevant to a homeownership. McKay emphasizes that private property rights are fundamental principles that should always be protected. He also expresses hope for more affordable housing options in Madison to both attract new residents and retain current ones.
McKay’s platform prioritizes improving the city’s quality of life through enhancements to parks, community facilities, and ballfields, as well as making Madison more visually attractive, walkable, and bikeable. His commitment to maintaining Madison’s stellar education system by supporting the Madison City Schools Board of Education is crucial, as strong schools are a significant draw for homebuyers and contribute to property values.
Furthermore, McKay advocates “smart economic growth” that boosts city revenues, while also scrutinizing every dollar as a Certified Fraud Examiner to eliminate wasteful spending and reallocate funds to high-priority areas.
His active participation in the Madison on Track 2045 committee and the Civic Awareness Academy demonstrates a proactive engagement with the city’s future planning. McKay’s emphasis on fiscal responsibility, quality of life, and supporting growth while protecting foundational property rights aligns well with the interests of a real estate community.
For City Council, District 5: Alice Lessmann
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Alice Lessmann’s background and experience is beyond impressive. She demonstrates a clear understanding of the factors that contribute to a strong community and a healthy real estate market in Madison. Lessmann emphasizes that private property rights are a core principle and that striking a thoughtful balance between development and the rights of existing property owners is crucial as Madison grows. She also recognizes that homeownership signifies strong, stable communities.
Her platform focuses on key areas that directly impact quality of life and property values. Lessmann is committed to supporting safe neighborhoods, maintaining strong infrastructure, and promoting responsible growth. A significant priority for her is continuing to ensure the excellence of Madison City Schools, recognizing their role in attracting families and businesses and thus supporting community growth and infrastructure.
Furthermore, Lessmann pledges fiscal responsibility to reduce city debt and manage public funds wisely for long-term financial health and investment in infrastructure like roads. Her commitment to supporting policies that promote transparency and inclusive development, along with her experience on the Madison City Board of Education, positions her as a candidate who can foster a fair and welcoming housing environment for all residents of Madison.
For City Council, District 6: Scott Harbour
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Harbour demonstrates an extensive knowledge of Madison and our challenges, and stressed the importance of Smart Growth. He strongly believes homeownership is “a cornerstone of the American Dream” and essential for building thriving communities, fostering stability, pride, and investment. Harbour asserts that protecting private property rights is crucial for empowering residents and enabling wealth creation. As a candidate for City Council, he supports “smart growth to increase housing inventory across all income levels” and emphasizes creating diverse neighborhoods that offer opportunities for homeownership.
His commitment to preserving and enhancing Madison’s quality of life includes strengthening community collaboration , supporting top-tier schools , preserving downtown charm through sustainable development , and enhancing infrastructure and services to ensure public safety and green spaces. Harbour’s experience on the Madison City Zoning Board of Adjustment and his extensive executive background in finance and strategy further position him as a candidate who can effectively contribute to Madison’s growth while maintaining its desirable character.
