Sean Burke (Wisconsin)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Sean Burke

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

April 1, 2025

Personal

Birthplace

Wisconsin

Religion

Catholic

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Sean Burke ran for election to the Madison Common Council to represent District 17 in Wisconsin. He lost in the general election on April 1, 2025.

Biography

Sean Burke was born in Wisconsin. He attended Madison College. He has been affiliated with Human Rights Campaign and the Dane County Democratic Party.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Madison, Wisconsin (2025)

General election

General election for Madison Common Council District 17

Incumbent Sabrina Madison defeated Sean Burke in the general election for Madison Common Council District 17 on April 1, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sabrina Madison (Nonpartisan)	73.1	3,791
		Sean Burke (Nonpartisan)	26.2	1,358
		Other/Write-in votes	0.7	35

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,184
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Sabrina Madison and Sean Burke advanced from the primary for Madison Common Council District 17.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Burke in this election.

2024

See also: Municipal elections in Dane County, Wisconsin (2024)

General election

General election for Dane County Board of Supervisors District 12

Tommy Rylander defeated Sean Burke in the general election for Dane County Board of Supervisors District 12 on April 2, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Tommy Rylander (Nonpartisan)	60.1	1,224
		Sean Burke (Nonpartisan)	39.0	794
		Other/Write-in votes	0.9	18

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,036
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Sean Burke and Tommy Rylander advanced from the primary for Dane County Board of Supervisors District 12.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Burke in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Sean Burke did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.

2024

Sean Burke completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Burke's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As a first time candidate I am solely focused on the concerns of the people of District 12.

My primary focuses will be on affordable housing, the drivers of skyrocketing housing prices such as property taxes and oversight of program contractors. I'll also focus on the concerns surrounding the F-35's at Truax Field - PFAS contamination and noise pollution. Focus must also be given to government transparency and accountability.

As a strong supporter of labor unions,and the role they play in strengthen our local economy, I will advocate for legal action to be taken to overturn Act 10.

Significant attention must also be paid to criminal and racial justice reform. I support weekend bail hearings for nonviolent offenders, funding restorative justice practices and I will advocate for a $1.5 million grant program to assist communities of colors. Start new businesses.

I will be a strong, independent voice on Dane county's board, offering a new perspective and new ideas. Dave yourself to

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I will be a strong and independent voice on the Dane County Board of Supervisors acting in the interest of all!
• In order to combat the rising prices in rent and homes, serious consideration must be looked at concerning property taxes. We need oversight of our large public works projects and human service contracts to ensure that taxpayer money is being spent wisely.
• Environmental issues concerning the. F-35's at Truax Field present a real threat to our drinking water and our peace and quiet. We must work with our state and federal partners to combat both of these issues for as many residents as possible

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Housing affordability Is a crisis in Dane County that needs to be immediately addressed. Too many people are in shelters and rising rent and home costs are pricing people out of housing every single day. We must take new and creative measures to combat this increasing threat to our local economy

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Funny enough there is an Dolly Parton movie. The best describes my political philosophy and that movie is - Straight Talk.

I don't want to hide facts or information from my constituents and I want to deliver to them the most comprehensive answer I can on any issue or concern.

And while being honest with people might not be what they want to hear. They deserve to hear the truth.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I think the characteristic that is most important in any elected official is just being honest and straightforward. Too many elected officials these days. Make comments trying to make every faction happy. We must be willing to be honest with constituents and not Make promises we can't fulfill. People prefer someone who is straightforward and honest with them.

As Dane County Board supervisor, I will be very direct and straightforward with constituents on their concerns. If I am not able to help them I will either tell them or I will try to get an answer to their question from whatever source I can.

But I will never over promise and under deliver to a constituent.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility of any elected official is to work in the best interest of their constituents and the community as a whole.

As an independent voice on the Dane County Board of Supervisors, I will not be beholden to leadership or any political ideology. My main focus is delivering positive results for the people of district 12.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to show people that against all odds, a person who is homeless like myself can achieve elected office so that they can help others in need.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability is paramount in maintaining trust with the public.

As elected officials, we are entrusted with spending taxpayer money on programs to help them. We owe it to them to make sure that we are getting the best results for every dollar that is being spent on these programs.

For too many years the Dane County Board has thrown money down the whole on programs that end up not making a dent in the overall problem.

We need to spend money just like our constituents have to every single day - wisely.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Madison Common Council District 17

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