Emily Dean, Sonda Gaub, Braxton Hudson, Chris Riccardo, and Andy Shirtliff are running in the nonpartisan primary for mayor of Helena, Montana, on Sept. 9, 2025. This election is the first since 2001 in Helena to require a primary for mayor. According to KTVH, state law “requires local governments to hold primaries if at least five candidates are running for any single position.” The top two finishers will advance to the general election on Nov. 4, 2025.
Incumbent Wilmot Collins did not run for re-election. Although the position of mayor is officially nonpartisan, Collins is a Democrat.
The Helena Area Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters of the Helena Area co-hosted a “Speed Date Your Candidates” event on Aug. 7, 2025. Dean, Hudson, Riccardo, and Shirtliff attended the event. Each spoke at a podium for three minutes before sitting at separate tables where voters asked each candidate questions in speed dating format. Three attendees told KTVH that voters questioned the candidates about parking, homelessness, water issues, affordable housing, transportation, innovation, and strategies to retain Helena’s residents.
KTVH asked every candidate whether they supported Helena Public Schools’ proposed $283 million bonds, which will appear on the same ballot as the mayoral race. The bonds would support the renovation and rebuilding of select schools in Helena. Dean, Hudson, Riccardo, and Shirtliff support the bond, while Gaub does not.
Dean is the director of engagement for the Montana School Boards Association. She was elected to the Helena City Commission in 2019 and re-elected in 2023. She serves as mayor pro tem as of August 2025. Dean says, “As Mayor, my focus will be on modernizing our infrastructure, supporting responsible policies to increase affordable housing, and ensuring quality city services that meet the needs of all residents.” Collins and Helena City Commissioner Sean Logan endorsed Dean.
Gaub is a former teacher and vice chair of the Helena Citizens’ Council. She says, “I’m running for mayor because I want [to] live in a 5-star city. I believe that government’s prime job is to provide superior Services — Transparent civics — Action driven solutions — excellent Representation — and disciplined Stewardship.” Gaub says she is “focused on fostering trust in local government, strengthening public safety, supporting small businesses, and restoring respect for Helena’s voters.”
Hudson is a receptionist at Associated Dermatology. He says, “As we grow, we will need to invest in our public systems to adapt with changes we are already seeing. We need to increase affordable housing, repair our sidewalks, address traffic and parking concerns, and look into expanding our Capital Transit busses into a more robust system. As your mayor, I will make sure these key issues and others are addressed by the city.”
Riccardo is the co-founder of Omerta Arts. He says, “I’m not running because I have all the answers. I’m running because I believe in us – in our capacity to solve problems creatively, to bridge differences with understanding, and to paint a vision of Helena where every person feels valued and heard. This campaign isn’t about me. It’s about the single mother working two jobs who deserves safe, affordable housing. It’s about the veteran who needs accessible services. It’s about the entrepreneur with a vision for downtown, the teacher shaping young minds, the retiree who has given so much to this community and deserves our care in return.”
Shirtliff is the executive director of the Montana Building Industry Association. He was appointed to the Helena City Commission in 2022. Shirtliff says as commissioner he “has led collaborative efforts with downtown business owners, tenants and workers to find parking solutions; joined businesses and event planners in working toward a streamlined city permitting process; and worked with city officials to keep events on the Walking Mall.” He says as mayor “he will focus on improving city services and communication, champion housing solutions and encourage entrepreneurship.”