Just thinking about the mayoral election in Helena, Montana, this week...***HOT DAMN!!***

[Leghorn21]

Wilmot Collins


"As of the census of 2010, there were 28,190 people...The racial makeup of the city was 93.3% White, 0.4% African American, 2.3% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population."

- Wikipedia

Congratulations, Mr. Wilmot, and way to go HELENA!!



Helena, Montana, elected a refugee from Liberia as mayor on Tuesday in a tight race in a conservative state with a history of tensions over refugees.

Wilmot Collins, who arrived in Helena 23 years ago, unseated the mayor of 16 years with a progressive message. The Huffington Post and MSNBC have reported that Collins appears to be the first black mayor in Montana's history.

Refugees have sparked political tension in the state, which came to a head in the 2016 governor’s race when Missoula’s mayor and city officials backed an effort to bring refugees to the city.

Despite the drama, Collins has had a message of hope for other refugees in the state, telling them they need “thick skin,” but that there are “more decent people in this state than there are racists.” According to reporting from Public Radio International, Collins and his wife were largely welcomed in their community, but on one occasion, their home was vandalized with the letters “KKK” and graffiti telling them to “go home to Africa.” He told PRI in 2016 that he felt at home in Helena and that he was hopeful that with greater education about refugees, the Montana public will become accepting.

More:

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/11/08/liberian_refugee_wilmot_collins_elected_mayor_of_helena_montana.html

[True Dough]

1. That's great news!

Helena leading by example!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. ***Hot Damn*** is damn right!

It's a remarkably good story........and in Montana yet!

Good on the good people of Helena, for seeing what a great mayor Wilmot Collins will be.

[iluvtennis]

3. Love it, a refugee is Mayor. That's the America I love.

[smirkymonkey]

4. K&R

[Loyd]

5. Montana

It ain't just a Joe anymore!

[Delmette2.0]

6. Proud to claim Helena as my home for 27 years.

Mr. Collins and two progressives were elected to the city commission. I hope this serves to inspire other progressives across the state.

P.S. Bernie won the primary in Montana.

[SweepPicker]

7. I Love Montana!

<3