Shaundel Washington-Spivey becomes first 2025 candidate for mayor of La Crosse

The next election for mayor of La Crosse is still six months from now, but one candidate is already starting a campaign.

Shaundel Washington-Spivey, atop Grandad Bluff on Tuesday, launched his mayoral bid.

Spivey served on the La Crosse School Board for five years, attended UW-La Crosse and leads the community organization B.L.A.C.K. (Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge).

Upon his run announcement, surrounded by family and friends, Spivey said his campaign has gotten mixed reactions.

“I’ve had people almost cry when I explain that I’m running for mayor,” Spivey told reporters. “I’ve had folks that have cheered me on. I’ve had people say, excuse the language, ‘What the hell are you doin’?'”

Spivey, a Milwaukee native who has lived in La Crosse for 17 years, says he’s willing to talk to everybody, including the wealthy, the poor, and the unhoused, about important city issues during the campaign.

He says he wants everyone in the city to feel safe, valued, and respected, and he wants to serve as “a mayor that will hear you.”

If there are enough candidates, a primary for mayor would be scheduled for February, with the main election in April. The city of La Crosse has had 43 mayors, all of them white males, so far

In 2020, 10 people ran for the open mayor seat after Tim Kabat did not seek reelection.