HARLEM, Mont. (NMB) – Former State Senator Kim Hansen has announced his candidacy in the upcoming race for Mayor of Harlem.
Hansen, 69, served as a Democrat in the Legislature from 2002-2010, and recently was Mayor of Harlem before stepping down in 2019 to temporarily retire. If he is elected Mayor again, he says he intends to serve out the full term.
“The reason I stepped down, besides being tired, I ran for County Commissioner and I got beat. And I really wanted to end up in the county offices, but that never happened. I’m getting older and wiser, so I’ll just stay where I’m at. I want to continue on here (by serving as) Mayor.”
Hansen says his biggest priorities as Mayor would be to improve the infrastructure and make sure the city is meeting state requirements.
“Being a past farmer, we need to keep our equipment in the city up to standards and new and keep it going so the people that work for us can do the job most efficiently. Last, of course, would be the budget. Keeping it balanced, which we have over the years.”
Hansen says he has approved of the job that current Mayor Ralph Schneider, who is not planning to file for re-election, has done.
Hansen is the second candidate to file for Mayor of Harlem, joining City Council President Joseph Patrick-Wertz.
