With Helena’s general election just a month away, mayor and City Commission candidates talked priorities, transparency and voter questions at a Tuesday night forum.

The Opportunity Bank Conference Center was packed with listeners, and a line for check-in spilled out the door around the 6 p.m. start. The forum was hosted by AARP, the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters of the Helena Area.

The election is Nov. 4 and ballots will be mailed to residents Oct. 17.

Running for mayor are City Commissioners Emily Dean and Andy Shirtliff, the two victors in Helena’s first municipal primary in 24 years.

Dean, who was elected for the commission in 2019 and 2023, is director of engagement for the Montana School Boards Association. Shirtliff is the executive director of th

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