MCV's Endorsements

Montana Conservation Voters has a record of supporting pro-conservation candidates for more than 25 years. We have elected conservation leaders to all levels of government — from city councils to Congress, and everything in-between. An MCV endorsement ultimately signals to Montana voters that a candidate is a demonstrated conservation champion who will fight to protect our clean air, clean water, public lands, and democracy.

---

Meet Montana Conservation Voters’ Endorsed Candidates for the 2025 Municipal Elections!

Billings 

Mike Nelson (Mayor)
Mike Nelson is a lifelong Billings resident, small business owner, and community leader known for revitalizing the historic Northern Hotel and strengthening the city’s economic core. With a background in natural resources economics, he believes clean air, clean water, and efficient growth are essential to Billings’ future. Nelson supports innovative, sustainable city planning and programs that expand urban forestry, agriculture education, and energy efficiency across the community.

Mark Nicholson (City Council Ward 1)
Dr. Mark Nicholson is a retired physician and longtime Billings resident who has spent his career caring for others and advocating for community well-being. He believes a sustainable, livable city starts with safe, walkable streets and policies that reduce reliance on cars while improving air quality. Nicholson supports urban forestry, neighborhood parks, and responsible growth that keeps Billings both connected and climate-conscious.

Kassi Strong (City Council Ward 2)
Kassi Strong is a Billings Heights native, small business owner, and economic development professional dedicated to building a thriving, sustainable community for future generations. A lifelong outdoorswoman, she believes protecting clean air, clean water, and public lands goes hand in hand with smart growth and economic opportunity. On the City Council, she would champion policies that prioritize infill development, strengthen parks and trails, and preserve the natural beauty that defines Billings.

Amy Aguirre (City Council Ward 3)
Amy Aguirre has spent over two decades residing in Billings’ Ward 3, where she leads Angela’s Piazza: Women’s Drop-In Center and has dedicated her career to empowering marginalized families. A lifelong advocate for collaboration between nonprofits, local government, and residents, she believes strong communities grow from compassion and connection. On the City Council, she would champion vibrant parks, safe trails, and sustainable growth that keeps Billings clean, green, and welcoming for all.

Andrew Lindley (City Council Ward 4)
Andrew Lindley is a lifelong Billings resident and business leader who has spent two decades strengthening local companies and serving the community through leadership roles at EBMS, Avitus Group, and Vensure Employer Services. He has also supported community initiatives like the Arthouse Cinema expansion and actively engages in civic and cultural projects. Lindley is deeply committed to protecting clean air, clean water, and public lands. On the City Council, he’ll champion smart growth, renewable energy, and parks and trails that keep Billings livable for generations to come.

Patrick Olp (City Council Ward 5)
Patrick Olp is a lifelong Billings resident, business owner, and dedicated community volunteer who has led multiple clean up efforts on the Rims through the Downtown Billings Rotary. He champions public lands, parks, and trails as vital community resources and supports smart growth policies that prevent sprawl and protect Montana’s wide-open spaces. Olp is committed to clean air, clean water, and thoughtful development that preserves Billings’ natural and recreational assets for future generations.

Bozeman

Douglas Fischer (Mayor)
Douglas Fischer, a longtime journalist and former executive director of Environmental Health Sciences, was appointed to the Bozeman City Commission in 2023 after years of civic and conservation leadership. As mayor, he will prioritize compact, walkable neighborhoods and policies that expand Bozeman’s green infrastructure — its trees, waterways, wetlands, parks, and pathways. Fischer is also working to build a regional loop trail and strengthen natural resource protections to ensure Bozeman grows responsibly while preserving its unique character.

Emma Bode (City Commission)
Emma Bode is a Bozeman City Commissioner, environmental scientist, and longtime advocate for climate action and civic engagement. She has supported affordable housing, tenant protections, and policies that build a more sustainable and inclusive city. Bode is committed to protecting open spaces, expanding parks and multimodal transportation, and ensuring growth happens in ways that preserve wildlife habitat and Bozeman’s outdoor way of life.

Bozeman WARD Initiative
This November, Bozeman residents will vote on the proposed Bozeman Water Adequacy for Residential Development Initiative. Developers of three or more housing units would only be allowed to use cash-in-lieu of water rights if 33% of those units are restricted as affordable. Currently, developers are allowed to pay the city for water rights instead of acquiring water rights on their own.

While we commend the effort to address both water scarcity and affordable housing, this initiative would likely create serious unintended consequences. The policy could:

• Disincentivize construction within city limits, ultimately reducing — not increasing — the overall housing supply and thus increasing housing costs.
• Push development outside city limits, increasing sprawl, traffic, and reliance on polluting septic systems and less efficient water wells. More traffic and sprawl ultimately could disrupt wildlife corridors and result in a loss of open spaces.

For these reasons, we recommend a “NO” vote on this initiative. Instead, we urge city leaders to pursue policies that truly lower housing costs while safeguarding Bozeman’s limited water resources.

Columbia Falls

Marijke Stob (City Council)
Marijke Stob is a small business owner and founder of Superbloom Gear Repair, where she helps reduce textile waste by keeping garments and outdoor gear out of landfills. A renter and community advocate, she is committed to fostering sustainable growth in Columbia Falls by supporting infill development, expanding public transportation, and promoting bikeable and walkable neighborhoods. Stob is also a strong voice for cleaning up the former Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant site and for ensuring residents have a transparent, accessible local government that protects public lands, clean water, and open space.

Great Falls

Casey Schreiner (City Commission)
Casey Schreiner, a former state legislator and House Minority Leader from Great Falls, has built a career as a science teacher, community leader, and advocate for working families. During his time in the Legislature, he championed public access to rivers and trails, funded habitat restoration, and advanced responsible land and water management. Schreiner is committed to protecting Great Falls’ parks, open spaces, and natural resources while ensuring growth strengthens both the local economy and community character.

Havre 

Wade Bitz (Mayor)
Wade Bitz is a third-generation dryland farmer and architect who has served on the Havre City Council and the Hill County Preservation Commission for nearly two decades. Through programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program and Conservation Reserve Program, he has implemented practices that improve soil health, protect wetlands, and expand wildlife habitat while keeping public access a priority. Bitz is committed to sustainable community development in Havre, from water conservation and climate resilience planning to revitalizing downtown with adaptive reuse and mixed-use housing.

Helena

Melinda Reed (City Commission)
Melinda Reed currently serves on the Helena City Commission, where she focuses on strong city services, affordable housing, and protecting public lands. A former interim City Manager and past executive director of Helena’s Friendship Center, she brings deep experience in local leadership and social services. Reed is especially committed to safeguarding Helena’s water infrastructure, expanding access to trails and parks, and ensuring public lands are protected for future generations.

Ben Rigby (City Commission)
Ben Rigby is a third-generation water professional and lifelong outdoorsman running for Helena City Commission. As Executive Director of Montana Rural Water Systems and former Water Treatment Superintendent for the City of Helena, he has led projects to protect source water, improve infrastructure efficiency, and advance conservation solutions statewide. He’s committed to smart growth that protects open space, safeguards clean water, and ensures every Helena neighborhood has access to trails and green space.

Kalispell

Ryan Hunter (Mayor)
Ryan Hunter has worked in conservation for more than 25 years, including 16 years with Flathead Land Trust, where he helps protect wildlife habitat, clean water, family farms, and open spaces. With a master’s degree in Urban Planning and experience in affordable housing and community development, he brings valuable expertise to managing Kalispell’s growth sustainably. Hunter is committed to promoting walkable neighborhoods, expanding trails and parks, and strengthening protections for rivers and wetlands to ensure Kalispell remains a vibrant, livable community.

Kyle Waterman (City Council Ward 3)
Kyle Waterman brings over 25 years of nonprofit and civic leadership to his work in Kalispell, where he has served on City Council, the Flathead City-County Health Board, and the Flathead Transportation Committee. He has been a vocal advocate for expanding public transportation, strengthening pedestrian and bike access, and protecting the Flathead River and surrounding public lands from sprawl. Waterman’s record of advancing mental health services, affordable housing, and smart growth makes him a strong conservation leader committed to building a healthy, sustainable future for the Flathead Valley.

Bruce Guthrie (City Council Ward 4)
Bruce Guthrie is a longtime educator and civic leader in the Flathead Valley, with decades of experience guiding students and community members to engage thoughtfully with history, civic life, and the environment. He prioritizes sustainable growth in Kalispell, advocating for careful planning, environmental impact studies, and the creation of green spaces and bike/pedestrian networks to maintain open space and habitat amid rapid development. Guthrie’s commitment to conservation, climate-aware urban planning, and community engagement positions him as a strong advocate for protecting Kalispell’s natural resources while guiding growth responsibly.

Livingston

Jessica Wilcox (City Commission)
Jessica Wilcox is a registered dietitian and community leader who has dedicated her career to advancing public health, sustainable food systems, and thoughtful growth in Park County. She chairs the Consolidated Land Use Board and serves as vice chair of the Park County Land Trust, where she works to preserve open space, protect water quality, and strengthen conservation-minded planning. From building Farm to Institution programs at Livingston HealthCare to guiding community-wide planning initiatives, Wilcox brings a proven commitment to sustainability and resilience in Livingston’s future.

Missoula

Andrea Davis (Mayor)
Andrea Davis is the incumbent Mayor of Missoula and is dedicated to upholding her commitment to conservation and stewardship. Her previous career in the housing and community development sector gives her strength in directing Missoula towards affordable and attainable housing for the city’s workforce. She is focused on development that conserves land, mitigates sprawl, and is interconnected by bike and pedestrian pathways. Davis’ pragmatism and strong environmental ethic makes her a conservation champion for the city of Missoula. 

Betsy Craske (City Council Ward 1)
Betsy Craske is an educator and lifelong conservationist dedicated to collaboration, thoughtful dialogue, and addressing Missoula’s most pressing issues with conservation front of mind. She has spent 15 years teaching in various settings and her robust environmental background — from trail crews to environmental education — informs her approach to responsible growth, protecting outdoor spaces, and championing climate initiatives. Craske brings a listening ear and passion for the natural world to finding solutions for Missoula’s future. 

Justin Ponton (City Council Ward 2)
Justin Ponton has a background in real estate and is focused on ensuring Missoula can expand, develop, and grow in a responsible and sustainable manner. To him, that means increasing the housing supply while defending open space and recreational opportunities, investing in renewable materials and energy efficient development whenever possible, and supporting public transportation, walkways, and bike paths to reduce vehicle reliance. Ponton brings a pragmatic approach to Missoula’s housing development and a lens of ecological impact that protects the natural world Missoulians hold dear. 

Jennifer Savage (City Council Ward 3)
As the former Councilor for Ward 1, Jennifer Savage is dedicated to improving the lives of her fellow Missoulians. She helped women access their health care rights at Blue Mountain Clinic, wrote grants on behalf of students at the University of Montana, and helped launch a foundation working to improve the health of western Montanans. Savage understands the importance of increasing Missoula’s housing supply, while looking at development proposals through a lens of climate and conservation. As a city council member, she will continue to advocate for our climate, clean air and water, and protecting open space.

Mike Nugent (City Council Ward 4)
Mike Nugent is a small business owner and lifelong Missoulian. As the incumbent Councilman for Ward 4, Nugent chairs the Land Use and Planning committee and is the council representative on the Missoula Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors and the Missoula Public Health Board. Nugent supports focusing Missoula’s growth inward to conserve open space, working farms and ranches, and other public lands — finding balance between growth pressure and protecting our environment. Nugent brings a demonstrated commitment to helping Missoula develop creative solutions to climate and conservation problems on Missoula City Council. 

Sean Patrick McCoy (City Council Ward 6)
Sean Patrick McCoy is a longtime Missoula resident and farmer who has spent over 15 years connecting neighbors through fresh, local food and strengthening the city’s local food system. He has also served on the Missoula Consolidated Planning Board and the Farmers Market Board, helping shape policies that protect farmland and preserve the city’s character. McCoy is deeply committed to protecting open space, supporting sustainable growth, and maintaining a vibrant, resilient community, as well as ensuring Missoula’s climate policy is followed and regularly updated.

Whitefish

Andy Feury (City Council)
Andy Feury has served Whitefish for more than two decades as both mayor and city councilor, helping guide the community through growth with a steady focus on sustainability and conservation. He was an early champion of the Whitefish Trail system, a legacy project that has expanded access to open space and spurred broader conservation efforts in the Haskill Basin and Trumble Creek. Feury continues to prioritize responsible growth, sustainable tourism, and affordable housing so Whitefish remains both welcoming and resilient for generations to come.

Nathan Dugan (City Council)
Nathan Dugan is the co-founder and president of Shelter WF, a pro-housing advocacy organization that works to reduce urban sprawl and promote sustainable, affordable housing in Whitefish. He serves on the city’s Climate Action Plan Committee, where he champions public transit, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and compact land use as key strategies to cut emissions. A dedicated community-builder, Dugan is committed to ensuring Whitefish grows responsibly while protecting clean air, open spaces, and a vibrant future for all residents.

Want to get more involved with our work during the election cycle?

1. Become an MCV Member to be eligible to join a 2026 endorsement panel! 
2. Donate to our PAC! Your donation makes this crucial work possible.

Volunteer for a local candidate! Community education and engagement is critical for municipal elections. Email kearstyn@mtvoters.org to join the team.