[6] She worked at the State Environmental Resource Center, as a senior associate with the University of Wisconsin's Center on Wisconsin Strategy, and served on several municipal committees, as chair of the Long Range Metro Transit Ad Hoc Planning Committee, and a subcommittee member of the Commission on the Environment.

[21][22] Rhodes-Conway's campaign focused on a short list of issues, including bringing bus rapid transit to Madison, increasing the supply of affordable housing, combatting climate change, and promoting racial equity.

[24][25] Debates between Rhodes-Conway and Soglin covered a number of topics,[26][27] including affordable housing,[28] the municipal economy,[29] public safety, and policing.

[30] Rhodes-Conway won support from Wisconsin State Assemblywoman Terese Berceau and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi.

[31][32] She was subsequently endorsed by the Wisconsin State Journal editorial board,[33] The Capital Times,[34] and The Daily Cardinal.

[45] On her first day as mayor, she held a joint press conference with Dane County Executive Joe Parisi to announce a maintenance and reconstruction agreement for Buckeye Road.

Initially, Rhodes-Conway seemed supportive of the demonstrations, stating "George Floyd should be alive tonight and the fact that he isn't, is an American tragedy...I also want to say that I completely agree with the protestors that were around the capitol square and right here in front of this building earlier today.

"[49] Multiple Madison alders (Rebecca Kemble, Donna Moreland, Max Prestigiacomo, Arvina Martin, Marsha Rummel, Tag Evers, and Grant Foster) released a statement condemning the tear-gassing of protesters.

It must be absolutely infuriating to stand in heavy gear outside while listening to people constantly insult your chosen profession...You are not what the protesters say you are.

I know that...I was so focused on the task of addressing the concerns of our community that I didn’t remember that you need and deserve both recognition and appreciation.

"[52] After the video was leaked, Rhodes-Conway likewise came under fire from supporters of the protests, who were upset by the dissonance between her public statements and her private one.

[citation needed] Rhodes-Conway apologized for the statements made in the leaked video, saying "Black lives matter.