Mike Nelson (Montana politician)
Mike Nelson | |
|---|---|
| 45th Mayor of Billings, Montana | |
| Assumed office January 5, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Cole |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Billings, Montana, U.S. |
| Spouse | Judy Nelson |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Eastern Montana College (now Montana State University Billings) |
Mike Nelson is an American business owner and politician who is the current mayor of Billings, Montana.
Personal life and education
Nelson was born and raised in Billings, Montana, attending grade school in the city. He stayed in Billings to attend Eastern Montana College, now Montana State University Billings, to study economics. After graduating, Nelson moved to Las Vegas with his wife Judy, where she taught special education and he worked in the hotel and casino industries. Returning to Billings in 2008, Nelson purchased the then-closed Northern Hotel with his brother, which they reopened after renovations. Nelson has participated in multiple Billings organizations, including the Billings Chamber of Commerce, the Billings Preservation Society at Moss Mansion, the Big Sky Economic Development Corporation, Citizens for a Safer Billings, and the Montana State University Billings foundation board.
Nelson and his wife Judy have two daughters, Sarah and Hannah.[1]
Political Career
Since returning to Billings in 2008, Nelson has participated in or held some leadership position in Billings-area economic and historical committees and organizations. Nelson ran for Billings mayor in 2025, citing his hope to work on public safety, local economy and community, and quality of life.[1] Nelson faced Billings councilwoman Jennifer Owen, city councilman Mike Boyett, and recent graduate Amanda Housler. While the election was officially nonpartisan, Owen was backed by 16 local Republican legislators, and Nelson received donations from Democratic former governor Brian Schweitzer and former Montana Democratic Party chair Robyn Driscoll; Nelson himself has avoided all political labels, however.[2] In the end, Nelson won the November general election by one of the tightest margins in Billings mayoral history, with only 177 votes separating him and Owen. This was the closest Billings mayoral election since 1931, when Fred Tilton won by a margin of 114, though only about 3,000 votes were cast that year.[3] Nelson succeeded Bill Cole to become Billings' 45th mayor.
Electoral History
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Mike Nelson | 11,754 | 39.1% | |
| Nonpartisan | Jennifer Owen | 11,577 | 38.5% | |
| Nonpartisan | Mike Boyett | 4,777 | 15.9% | |
| Nonpartisan | Amanda Housler | 1,912 | 6.4% | |
| write-ins | 51 | 0.2% | ||
| Total votes | 30,071 | 100% | ||
References
- ^ a b "Mike Nelson (staff directory)". City of Billings. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Barry Usher, Dennis Lenz, Larry Brewster, Kerri Crowe, Sue Vinton, Mike Vinton, Daniel Zolinkov, Tom McGillvary, Curtis Schomer, Jodee Etchart, Nelly Nicol, Greg Oblander, Sherry Essman, Vince Ricci, Anthony Nicastro (October 12, 2025). "Strong backing by Republican lawmakers: Jennifer Owen for mayor (Opinion)". Billings Gazette.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Alex Mitchell (November 23, 2025). "Meet Mike Nelson, Billings' new 'cheerleader-in-chief'". Billings Gazette.
- ^ "Results Report Billings Municipal General Election November 4, 2025" (PDF). Yellowstone County Elections Department. Retrieved January 7, 2026.