MCV Endorses Mayors Engen and Collins for Re-election

(BOZEMAN, Mont.)  – The Montana Conservation Voters Action Fund, MCV’s affiliated Political Action Committee, today proudly announced its endorsements of John Engen for Missoula City Mayor and Wilmot Collins for Helena City Mayor.

“Local governments across Montana are often leading the way when it comes to delivering common sense conservation policy,” said MCV Executive Director Whitney Tawney. “Both Mayor Engen and Mayor Collins are proven conservation leaders and committed to what makes Montana towns great – clean air, clean water and access to our incredible open spaces.”

Mayor John Engen has been a champion of conservation efforts. His accomplishments range from comprehensive planning efforts to ensure that Missoula is a compact, sustainable city to restoring the city’s once-private water system to public ownership. Mayor Engen’s team today is concentrating efforts on housing affordability in a thriving community, collaborating with the University of Montana and the business community in growing local innovation.

“I’m incredibly grateful to MCV not only for their faith in me over the years and this fresh endorsement of my work, but for the work the organization has done all over the state to protect clean air and water, address the climate crisis, ensure access to public lands and promote stewardship of our precious natural environment,” said Mayor Engen.

Mayor Wilmot Collins was born, raised and partly educated in Liberia, West Africa. A former refugee, he arrived in the United States in 1994 and now resides in Helena with his wife. Presently, Mayor Collins is a Child Protection Specialist with the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, and a recently retired U. S. Navy Reservist. Prior to working with MT DPHHS, Mayor Collins worked at Veterans Affairs Montana for many years as an Administrative Officer for Facility Management and also as a Public Affairs Specialist and Minority Veterans Program Coordinator. Mayor Collins led the Helena City Commission to commit to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.

“I couldn’t be more honored and thrilled to have the endorsement and support of the MCV,” said Mayor Collins. “As our planet faces a climate crisis that can no longer handle the consequences of inaction from political leaders, I’m proud to stand on the side of science and as Mayor of Helena, I’ll continue to work everyday to protect our public lands, water, trails and outdoor way of life. Future generations rely on us to pass along a healthy and habitable planet. The work that MCV does, leads the way in our state for achieving that goal.” 

The endorsement was made by MCV’s independent PAC board. More information about the candidates can be found at engenformissoula.com and wilmotcollins.com

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