Emily Dean Narrowly Wins Helena Mayoral Race by Small Margin
Emily Dean edged Andy Shirtliff in the Nov. 4 municipal election to become Helena’s next mayor, with unofficial returns showing a narrow lead that leaves only provisional ballots to be counted. The tight result underscores strong local engagement and sets up a transition in city leadership that will affect the composition and priorities of local government.
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Unofficial election returns released overnight showed city commissioner Emily Dean with 5,440 votes (50.6%) and challenger Andy Shirtliff with 5,237 votes (48.7%) in the Nov. 4 Helena mayoral race. Election officials said only provisional ballots remained to be counted on Nov. 10, a process that can alter margins in close contests but is unlikely to dramatically change the outcome with the totals reported.
Dean, who will succeed outgoing Mayor Wilmot Collins, will be Helena’s 41st mayor and is scheduled to be sworn in in January 2026. As a sitting city commissioner, her elevation to mayor will create a vacancy on the commission that city rules will govern how to fill, potentially reshaping the body that sets local policy, budget priorities and oversight of municipal departments.
The close margin highlights a politically engaged electorate in Lewis and Clark County’s county seat. Voters delivered a contest decided by just over 200 votes, signaling divided preferences among Helena residents about the city’s future direction. Both candidates framed the outcome as reflective of active civic participation: Dean emphasized her experience and focus on city issues, while Shirtliff congratulated supporters and characterized the close result as a sign of strong community engagement.
Policy implications of the mayoral transition will depend on how Dean translates her commission experience into executive leadership. The mayor’s role in Helena includes setting priorities for the commission agenda, coordinating with city staff and representing the city in regional discussions — functions that will shape responses to persistent local issues such as infrastructure maintenance, housing pressures and budget planning. Dean’s background on the commission suggests continuity in institutional knowledge, but the narrow margin indicates she will likely face expectations from a substantial portion of residents for responsive, consensus-building governance.
The timing of the final provisional-ballot count and the January swearing-in establishes a transition period during which the commission and incoming mayor can prepare for administrative turnover and any policy shifts. Community stakeholders — neighborhood groups, business leaders and public-service agencies — will be watching how the new administration sets priorities and engages residents after a closely contested election.
For Helena voters, the result is a reminder that local elections can hinge on small numbers and that provisional and late-counted ballots can matter. The next weeks will finalize the official tally and begin the work of translating an electoral mandate into municipal policy and governance.
