Here are the endorsement letters that supporters of my mayoral campaign submitted to the Middleton Times-Tribune in December 2025. Please contact me if you’d like to write a letter of support.
December Endorsements
Lisa Janairo’s Nominating Papers Submitted, Quickly Collecting Maximum Number of Signatures Allowed
Big day for Team Janairo! We turned in 400 signatures to get my name on the ballot for the Spring Election on April 7. That’s 2x the number we needed! I’m grateful to all the Middleton residents who signed my nominating papers and who braved the cold to collect signatures for me. Visit https://LisaJ4Mayor.com to learn about our campaign, make a donation, and volunteer to be a part of this amazing team.
Here is a video from this morning when we submitted the nominating papers.
Another Endorsement for Lisa Janairo for Middleton Mayor
Today I received another endorsement for my bid to become Middleton’s next mayor. It means a lot to have Kristi Warriner’s endorsement. It’s no exaggeration to say that Middleton is a better place because of all the things she does to benefit our community. I’m so grateful to have Kristi’s support! #LisaJ4Mayor #StrengtheningCommunity
More letters
Two more letters of support were published in the December 11 edition of the Middleton Times-Tribune. I so appreciate people giving their time to help spread the word about my candidacy and my qualifications to become Middleton’s next mayor. Thank you, John, Nancy, JoAnna, and Paul!
First Letter of Support
My first letter of support for my mayoral campaign appeared in the Middleton Times Tribune on December 4. District 6 residents Carla Anderson and Kevin Spitler wrote the letter, which also appeared in the CapTimes. Thanks for your support, Carla and Kevin! Here’s their letter, reprinted with permission:
If you’d like to join Kevin and Carla by writing a letter to the editor, please email me at LisaJ4Mayor@gmail.com.
Lisa Janairo running for Middleton Mayor. Vote for Lisa J!
On November 19, 2025, I announced my candidacy to become the next mayor of Middleton. The announcement went out first to constituents of District 6 and readers of “E-News on 6.” Then I emailed an announcement to voters all across Middleton. Finally, I notified the press. Here is the text of that press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Janairo
lisaj4mayor@gmail.com
608.630.7500
Alder Lisa Janairo Announces Candidacy for Middleton Mayor,
Promises Steady Leadership and a Community‑Focused Vision
Middleton, WI — November 19, 2025
Alder Lisa Janairo today announced her candidacy for Mayor of Middleton in the 2026 Spring Election. Janairo offers a leadership approach grounded in long-term planning, transparency, and accountability. With a focus on bringing people together, Janairo pledges to bring collaboration and visionary leadership to the mayor’s office.
The theme of Janairo’s mayoral campaign is “Moving Forward. Together.” Her platform focuses on meeting the needs of a growing city, strengthening community, and keeping people informed about their government. Janairo emphasized the need for a mayor who is highly engaged and accessible to residents and community partners.
In 2022, voters in District 6 on Middleton’s north side elected Janairo to the Common Council with 65% of the vote over an experienced incumbent. Alder Janairo has earned a reputation for disciplined preparation, thoughtful policymaking, and a firm commitment to sustainability. A champion of the city’s climate‑action goals, she co‑authored Middleton’s Sustainable City Plan and Sustainable Purchasing Policy. Janairo is unwavering in her belief that the city should follow through on policies and plans adopted by the Common Council. As a member and former chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee, she consistently advocates for departmental budget requests to advance Middleton’s long‑term goals.
Alder Janairo’s widely read “E-News on 6” newsletter has nearly 1,000 subscribers and is a model for transparent communication between public officials and the people who elected them. Each issue breaks down city decisions, clarifies impacts for residents, and explains her votes. “It’s the best communication I’ve ever experienced from any alder, anywhere,” one reader said. Janairo plans to bring this clarity and proactive communication to the mayor’s office. “I want constituents to hold me accountable just like I hold my elected representatives accountable,” she said. “‘E-News on 6’ helps constituents do just that.”
Her decision to challenge incumbent Mayor Emily Kuhn comes after residents and community leaders raised concerns about Kuhn’s leadership style. For example, Kuhn quit both the Plan Commission and the Community Development Authority. These bodies have the greatest influence over how growth is managed in the city, and it is unprecedented for a Middleton mayor not to be involved. Kuhn also proposed eliminating the city’s Commission on Youth — a move that Janairo and a majority of Council members opposed.
“Being Mayor of Middleton may not be a full-time job, but it is a full‑time responsibility,” Janairo said. “People expect their leaders to put in the time, face hard decisions, and find ways to do things better. District 6 residents know me as a problem solver and a hard-working public official who is always striving to be and do better. If voters elect me on April 7, these are the qualities I’ll bring to the mayor’s office.”
More information is available at www.LisaJ4Mayor.com.
About Alder Janairo
Alder Janairo spent 29 years in public policy, most recently at the Council of State Governments, where she focused on Great Lakes protection/restoration and radioactive waste management. In her career, she became known for her exceptional skill in problem-solving, bringing people together to collaborate, and communicating effectively to a wide variety of audiences. After retiring early in 2021, she devoted her “second chapter” to public service in Middleton. Her community engagement includes volunteer work with WayForward Resources, membership in the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, and service with the League of Women Voters of Dane County. She holds a Master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in geology from Lawrence University. She and her husband Ed—Chief Business Officer at the Memorial Union—have three adult children.
Pronunciation aids:
Dictionary: hə-Nī’-rō
Phonetic: huh-NEYE-roh
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