Madison mayoral candidates hold final forum

Ahead of the spring primary on Feb. 19, five of the six candidates for Madison's mayor took the stage Saturday night at the last forum before the election.

Incumbent mayor

,

,

,

and

were at the forum.

did not attend.

More than 100 people filled the First Unitarian Society to hear what the candidates had to say and make their final decision about how to cast their ballot.

"I feel like tonight's the night that I have to try to gather some more information and finally make a decision," said Robin Sereno, who attended the forum.

Sereno also helped craft questions for Saturday's forum and came to see how candidates responded.

"I felt like okay, I can watch over the next 3 weeks and then see ultimately what happens at that forum about how they address some of these issues we felt were important," Sereno said.

The forum's moderator, Ruben Anthony, asked candidates about various issues, including transportation and affordable housing. Some audience members, like Samip Kothari, wanted to hear specific plans on how to fix things like climate change.

"They speak in generalities and I want to hear details of how they'll get things accomplished. And I think that's really important because I think a lot of people can say a nice idea but how are you, the meat and bones of it, how are you going to get to it," Kothair said.

Several audience members, including Kothari, said forums like Saturday's are a great opportunity to hear from the candidates and make their final decision.

"It really allows people to get to know the candidate and get to know what they stand and how they will get things done," Kothari said.

The primary election is Tuesday, Feb. 19. Polls in Madison will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about what is on the ballot and where to vote,

.