Meet Wilmot Collins, the unabashed progressive mayor-elect of Helena, Montana! Here’s the Huffington Post with a quick take on his background:
Wilmot Collins arrived in Helena, Montana, 23 years ago as a refugee from Liberia.
All available information shows that Collins, a 54-year-old Naval reservist and child protection specialist with the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, will become the first black mayor in Montana’s history.
Although Helena’s elections are nonpartisan, Collins leans Democratic and is pleased to have sent a message of defiance to President Donald Trump.
“The country is still not what Mr. Trump wants it to be,” Collins told HuffPost. “The citizens of this state and this city where I have lived for the past 23 years have spoken and they are saying we want the best candidate. They’re not looking at color, at background and creed.”
He beat longtime incumbent Jim Smith, who has been the mayor of Helena for 16 years. Collins will be making history as the first black mayor in the history of Montana. The best part is, he ran on a progressive platform. From the Independent Record:
Collins, 54, will be the city's first new mayor in 16 years after running a long campaign based in progressive principles.
“The people of Helena have spoken, and I am honored to be able to serve them,” Collins said as the night drew to a close. “I intend to work with commissioners, work for the people of Helena and find what is best for this city.”
Collins also sought to praise Smith for his work over the past decade and a half.
“I commend Mayor Smith. He’s done a great job for the city, and I hope to work with him in the future," Collins said.
You know what? America is pretty great after all.