Big Sky Times

Missoula, which lost former Mayor John Engen to pancreatic cancer early this year, now has a new mayor. 

The Missoula City Council selected Jordan Hess. He will carry out the mayoral duties until the 2023 city election. Engen's term ends in 2025, and if Hess wants to replace the seat, he will have to run in the November 2023 municipal election.

"I can't be John Engen and I think it would be a disservice to our community if I tried," Hess said at the swearing-in ceremony, Missoulian reported. "What I can commit to being is I will try, to the best of my ability, to be the leader we need right now." 

The dramatic evening ended with Hess and Mike Nugent battling each other since neither could meet the seven votes necessary to advance.

Missoula City Council members departed together through a real back door after two hours of voting yielded no winner, discussing in an alley for more than an hour. When they returned, Nugent broke down in tears and said, "Hess will be a magnificent mayor."

Assembling again for another vote, the council finally came up with a 7-4-1, they announced its final judgment shortly after 11 p.m. on Monday.

“We both wanted to go forward with the city’s best interest in mind,” Hess said. “I have so much admiration for Mike for stepping up to volunteer to serve and also for stepping back. That was an act of selflessness to do that.”

The council will begin the search for Hess' replacement as Ward 2 Council member on Wednesday, according to NBC Montana.

Hess has been a member of the Missoula City Council for nine years, making him the city's longest-serving elected official. 

He has supported public transit and the city's major aims of housing, climate change and fairness.