Join us for a panel discussion on how to run for local office, featuring a former city commissioner and current local elected officials who have experienced candidacy first-hand. Panelists will first answer prepared questions, then will engage in audience Q and A.

This event is intended for those who are thinking about running for office for the first time and would like to know how others in our community got started and what sage advice they can offer newcomers to the field.

This event is organized by members of the Young Professionals Initiative, a program of the League of Women Voters of the Helena Area. Please pre-register for this free event.

Voter registration volunteers will also be on hand to assist first-time voters as well as those needing to update their voter registration.

The panelists are Mayor Emily Dean, Rep. Luke Muszkiewicz, Commissioner Ben Rigby, Sen. Laura Smith, and former City Commissioner Kali Wicks.

Mayor Emily Dean earned a bachelor's degree from Carroll College and a master's degree in education from Southern Methodist University. Her career experience includes working as a teacher in the Dallas Independent School District, communications director in the Montana Secretary of State's office, and as director of advocacy and director of engagement for the Montana School Boards Association. Prior to assuming office as Helena mayor on January 5, 2026, Dean served on the City Commission from 2020 to 2026.

Rep. Luke Muszkiewicz was elected to represent HD 79 in 2024. During the 2025 session, he served on the House Appropriations Committee. During the interim, he serves on the School Funding Interim Commission and Legislative Finance Committee. He graduated from Helena High School in 1996 and earned a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Carroll College in 2000. He has worked as a software engineer and data analyst. Prior to running for legislative office, he served on the Helena Public Schools Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2023.

Helena City Commissioner Ben Rigby was elected to the Helena City Commission in 2025 and began serving on January 5, 2026. He is the Executive Director of Montana Rural Water Systems (MRWS) where he is responsible for managing the federal/state programs, staffing, and operations of MRWS. Ben previously worked for the city of Helena Water Department and graduated from Vincennes University with an Associate’s Degree in Land Surveying and Geodetics.

Senator Laura Smith is a former federal prosecutor of violent crime and fraud in Great Falls and Helena. As the Deputy Director of the State Health Department for five years, she focused on early childhood and supporting Montana's families. Sen. Smith began her legislative career serving House District 79 during the 2023 Legislative Session. She won election to the Senate in 2024 to represent Senate District 40 in the 2025 session.

Kali Wicks is a Helena-based government affairs and consulting professional and the owner of Treasure State Strategies. She holds degrees from Gonzaga University (BS in Political Science; MS in Communications & Organizational Leadership) and the University of Montana (Master of Public Administration with honors and a Certificate in Public Health). Kali served as a Helena City Commissioner by appointment from December 2018 through January 2020, filling a vacancy and later running in the 2019 general election where she came in third of six candidates running for two seats. During her time on the commission, she focused on applying her professional experience in workforce development and housing to local infrastructure and social service challenges. A strong proponent of servant leadership, Kali has served on numerous statewide and local advisory boards and frequently works with emerging leaders through teaching and guest lectures. She is a gubernatorial appointee to the Montana Ambassadors, currently chairs Montana HOSA–Future Health Professionals, and is the recipient of the 2024 National HOSA Government Leaders Award. Kali actively volunteers with local campaigns in her spare time.