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

OCTOBER 8, 2025

Shaundel Washington-Spivey announced Friday he will run for La Crosse mayor in the upcoming spring election.

Washington-Spivey will formally begin his campaign with an event at Grandad Bluff Park at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8.

His announcement shows small business support and neighborhood development initiatives as key platforms for his campaign. His campaign will also focus on “returning the fundamental values of care, action, and community back to the mayor’s office.”

“I believe that the people deserve to have a mayor that will hear them, that will lead with strategy and heart, and that will hold people accountable, all while engaging in the work with a boots-on-the-ground approach,” Washington-Spivey said in his announcement.

Washington-Spivey earned a master’s degree in education at UW-La Crosse and doctorate degree at Viterbo University.

He currently serves as the executive director of the nonprofit Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge. He also has experience as a La Crosse school board member, small business owner and youth mentor to the mayor’s office.

Washington-Spivey is the first candidate to formally announce a run for La Crosse mayor.

The spring election for La Crosse mayor, council members in districts 7-13 and a special election for the District 5 seat will take place Tuesday, April 1. All positions are elected for a four-year term.

The deadline to file ballot documents is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7 at the city clerk’s office.