Ranae Bartlett

Ranae Bartlett
Bartlett in 2025
Mayor of Madison, Alabama
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 3, 2025
Preceded byPaul Finley
Member of the Madison City Council for the 5th district
In office
November 2, 2020 – November 3, 2025
Succeeded byAlice Lessmann
Personal details
Born
Chuncheon, South Korea
EducationUniversity of Central Arkansas (BS)
University of Arkansas (JD)

Ranae Bartlett is an American politician who has served as the mayor of Madison, Alabama since 2025. She previously served on the Madison City Council from 2020 to 2025. She is noted as the state's first Asian-American mayor.[1]

Early life and education

Bartlett was born in Chuncheon, South Korea, to Mi Ja Kim and U.S. Air Force member Chester Bartlett.[1] When she was four years old, she and her family moved to the Ozarks region of Arkansas. She attended the University of Arkansas School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor degree. She moved to Madison in 2003.[2]

Career

Bartlett was appointed to the Madison Board of Education in 2010. She served as the president from 2017 to 2020, after which she retired to run for city council.[3] She was elected to the city council, representing district 5.[4] She also worked as the executive director for the United States Chess Federation.[5]

Mayor of Madison

2025 election

After incumbent mayor Paul Finley announced that he would not be seeking re-election, Bartlett announced that she would be running for the position on March 6, 2025.[6] In her campaign, she focused on cooperation with businesses and addressing issues posed by the growth of the city.[7] She defeated two other opponents on August 26, with 56% of the vote, avoiding a runoff election.[8]

Tenure

Speaking with WAFF prior to being sworn in, Bartlett stated that her first priorities would be ensuring Madison City Schools received proper funding, as well as addressing traffic and infrastructure issues.[9] She was sworn in on November 3, 2025.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 Plotka, Megan (November 24, 2025). "First Asian-American Mayor in Alabama talks about what's in store: 'Very energized'". AL.com. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Ranae Bartlett". The City of Madison, Alabama. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  3. ↑ Sparkman, Logan (May 12, 2025). "Councilwoman Ranae Bartlett running for Madison mayor". WHNT. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "Ranae Bartlett ready to step into mayor's role". The Madison Record. September 3, 2025. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  5. ↑ Hartmann, John (September 5, 2025). "Mayor Bartlett to Depart US Chess Oct. 21". US Chess Federation. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  6. ↑ Roby, John R. (March 8, 2025). "Madison election update: A contested council race and first mayoral candidate". AL.com. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  7. ↑ Musick, Mecca (March 11, 2025). "Madison mayor candidate Ranae Bartlett: 'I bring experience, leadership, and continuity'". 256 Today. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  8. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (August 26, 2025). "City of Madison elects City Councilwoman Ranae Bartlett as new mayor". 1819 News. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  9. ↑ Kennedy, Sarah Grace (October 23, 2025). "Madison Mayor-elect Ranae Bartlett preparing to take on the new role". WAFF. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  10. ↑ Musick, Mecca (November 4, 2025). "Madison welcomes new mayor, nearly all-new city council". 256 Today. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
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