Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Gillette Mayor & City Council Election 2026

4 of 7

council seats up

4 contests

8 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Mayor · 1 seat

Shay LundvallIncumbentBusiness development specialist for S&S Builders and the current mayor of Gillette. Previously served on the City Council.6sourced
Billy MontgomeryArmy veteran with 34 years at BNSF Railway and nine years on the Gillette City Council. Served two Planning Commission terms.4sourced

City Council Ward 1 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 2 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 3 · 1 seat

Voters citywide elect the mayor; each council seat is filled by the ward it represents, and the top two primary finishers in each race advanced to November.

1 note on these statements

Councilman Tim Carsrud is leaving the council, so the Ward 2 seat is open. County 17 · Aug 19, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Jack ClaryCouncilmember, Ward 2; elected November 20242sourced Nathan McLelandCouncilmember, Ward 3; elected November 20242sourced Chris SmithCouncilmember, Ward 1; elected November 20241sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesGurley Overpass replacement, Optional 1% sales tax renewal and priorities, Housing costs Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Absentee voting begins

Tue, Oct 6, 2026

TomorrowAll key dates

What the next council decides

Gurley Overpass replacement

Where it standsThe council voted 7-0 in July 2026 to award a design contract; the city describes the replacement as an approximately $40 million project.

What's on the tableHow to pay for the remaining cost of replacing the overpass.

The existing Gurley Overpass was built in 1982 and recently had its load rating reduced to 16 tons. County 17 · Jul 20, 2026
The city secured a $3 million Federal Highway Administration grant to fund the design phase. County 17 · Jul 20, 2026
The replacement project is approximately a $40 million project. Gillette News Record · Jul 24, 2026

Optional 1% sales tax renewal and priorities

Where it standsCampbell County voters decide in November whether to renew the existing 1% sales and use tax.

What's on the tableHow the city spends its share of the penny tax, including infrastructure, emergency services and nonprofit funding.

The tax has to be approved by voters every four years. County 17 · Oct 2, 2026
The city has an annual agreement limiting nonprofit funding to up to 5% of its penny tax money. County 17 · Oct 2, 2026

Housing costs

Where it standsCandidates for council differ on whether city government should subsidize or help with the cost of housing.

What's on the tableWhat role the city plays in housing development costs and approvals.

At the September 2026 forum, Ben Decker said he does not believe government subsidies are the answer to affordable housing. County 17 · Sep 30, 2026
At the same forum, Jim West said rising construction, material and service costs have made affordable housing harder to achieve and that cooperation between public and private groups may be needed. County 17 · Sep 30, 2026

City role in business and sports facilities

Where it standsCandidates disagree on how much the city should lead economic development and own sports facilities.

What's on the tableWhether the city keeps running facilities such as Cam-plex and how actively it recruits businesses.

At a July 2026 debate, Ben Decker said he wants to see much of the city's sports facilities and event spaces, such as the Energy Capital Sports Complex and Cam-plex, managed by private individuals. Gillette News Record · Jul 18, 2026
At the same debate, Jim West said that for Cam-plex he believes the city should hold on to its assets. Gillette News Record · Jul 18, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. How should the city pay the rest of the Gurley Overpass replacement?
2. What should the city do about housing costs?
3. What should the Optional 1% sales tax pay for first?
4. What role should the city play in recruiting businesses?
5. Who should own and run the city's sports facilities?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Absentee voting beginsWyoming Secretary of StateOct 6, 2026
Voter registration closes (voters may still register in person and vote absentee October 20 to November 2, or register at the polls on Election Day)Wyoming Secretary of StateOct 19, 2026
General Election DayWyoming Secretary of StateNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Jack Clary, Nathan McLeland, Chris Smith4 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The mayor is elected at-large and six council members are elected from three wards, two from each ward. The mayor and council members serve four-year terms. City of Gillette
The 2026 election will make available a mayoral seat and three full-term council seats, one each in Wards I, II and III. City of Gillette
The top two candidates from each ward go on to the general election. City of Gillette
In the August 18 primary, Lundvall received 3,136 votes and Montgomery 2,083 for mayor, and both advanced. County 17 · Aug 19, 2026

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