10 Facts About Dave Cieslewicz

Dave Cieslewicz is of Polish descent and was raised in what he identified as a Polish neighborhood.

Dave Cieslewicz's wife is Dianne Cieslewicz, who worked as chief of staff to state Senator Fred Risser, and they reside in the Regent Street neighborhood on Madison's near-west side.

Dave Cieslewicz was a staffer in the Wisconsin State Legislature, a lobbyist for the Nature Conservancy, and an elected member of the Dane County Board of Supervisors.

Dave Cieslewicz lost a state Assembly race in 1992 to Tammy Baldwin, she later became a US Senator.

Dave Cieslewicz was re-elected to a second four-year term in 2007, defeating Republican Ray Allen, a businessman.

In 2011, Dave Cieslewicz ran for a third term as mayor losing in a tight race to opponent, former Mayor Paul Soglin, whom he had defeated in 2003.

When Edwards withdrew from the race, Dave Cieslewicz endorsed Barack Obama.

Dave Cieslewicz was criticized for firing city employees through budget reshuffling; he eliminated a job through budget cuts, but then created a similar job with a different title.

Dave Cieslewicz became executive director of Wisconsin Bicycle Federation after his 2011 mayoral defeat.

Former alderman Ken Golden accused Dave Cieslewicz of being a bully towards his staff and city employees.