Why I Chose to Run For Mayor And What Happened

Editors note: Written by owner of Southwestern Montana News Jeremy Crawford.

I have seen the articles from our competitors on this subject and I feel a lot is missing. This is my side of the story and what I experienced and why I was running for Mayor.

I want to take a moment to explain what happened when I decided to put my hat in the ring for mayor of Dillon. Over the past month, several events have taken place that have led me to share my side of the story.

For years, many people asked me to run for mayor, but I lived on Schuler Lane—just a few hundred yards outside the city limits. When we moved into Dillon, I updated my voter registration and driver’s license address online. I was asked again if I would consider running for mayor. After taking a weekend to think it over, I decided to go ahead and do it. I love this town—my hometown—and I truly believed my ideas could benefit Dillon. I also thought bringing a younger set of eyes into city government could make a positive difference.

I visited the courthouse and filled out the application. At no point did it state that I had to be a resident for two years immediately prior to the election. I paid my filing fee and left. Just five minutes after leaving, I received a phone call informing me that my voter registration reflected my old address on Schuler Lane. I explained that I had updated it online and I now live within the city limits. I was asked to come back and fill out the registration form in person. I did so, and no other concerns were raised at that time.

A few days later, the official list of candidates was released. Around that time, I was warned by a city employee that someone had overheard another employee stating they didn’t want me as mayor. I brushed this off. Later, while working on my campaign ad, another city employee told me I needed to read the city charter.

One week later, I received a call informing me that I was not eligible to run for office because I supposedly did not meet the requirements. This was just a day after I published an article publicly questioning the licensing of Beaverhead Meats and their alleged unlicensed killfloor.

When I asked Stacy why I was allowed to file and why I was later disqualified, she told me she was not present during the time I dropped off my filing and that my filings would be used as training. I was never told I could appeal the decision; I was simply informed that the decision was final. She sent me a check for my filing fee.

I’ve written to the Secretary of State to understand how I can challenge this, since the law does not specify that a candidate must have lived in the city for two years immediately before the election. I have yet to receive a response. I am also aware that I could pursue legal action to be on the ballot, but I don’t believe that would happen in a timely manner.

I feel it’s important for the public to understand why I was ultimately disqualified from running for mayor—the timing of events and the lack of clear communication from our election officials. I was only trying to do my part for the community and was willing to step into a position that many feel no one else wants, but everyone believes they can do.