Laurel mayor resigns citing health concerns while facing possible recall

Embattled Laurel Mayor David Waggoner has submitted his resignation as the leader of the city, effective at the end of the day Friday.

The news of Waggoner’s resignation came just before the city council meeting on Tuesday and just two days before the deadline of a recall petition effort by a group of citizens who said the mayor should be removed for ongoing health concerns as well as allegations that he kept Laurel residents in the dark about state plans to put the facility in Laurel. 

Residents who are part of the civic group, Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development – or CARED – said they had reached enough signatures to trigger a recall election for the mayor. Recall elections in Montana are rare because of the high number of signatures of eligible voters needed to trigger the vote. 

A group of citizens in Kalispell are also attempting to recall Mayor Ryan Hunter.

KTVQ News in Billings reported the last of the needed signatures had been submitted Friday and Yellowstone County Election Administrator Dayna Causby estimated the cost of the recall election at $7,000, if the signatures and names could be verified.  

In a letter published by the news station, Waggoner cited his ongoing health issues, and said the recall effort didn’t factor into his decision. 

“I want to make it very clear that this decision is not a result of the recall effort, political pressure, criticism, or outside influence. Public service naturally comes with differing opinions and challenges, and I have always understood and accepted that as part of leadership,” Waggoner wrote. “My resignation is strictly a health-related decision and one I feel is necessary for both myself and my family at this time.”

Previously, Waggoner told media outlets that he was undergoing treatment for Stage IV prostate cancer, but would stay on to serve the remainder of his term despite the vocal opposition from community members who said he and the city’s Chief Administrative Officer Kurt Markegard had kept citizens in the dark while they lobbied to site the new state facility in Laurel.

“This decision is based solely on my ongoing health challenges and the need to focus my time, energy, and attention on my treatment, recovery, and personal well-being. This was not a decision made lightly,” Waggoner wrote.

The controversial proposed facility, authorized by the 2025 Legislature, would serve mainly counties in the eastern half of the state and would alleviate local authorities from long transportation times to the state facility in Galen located on the western side of the state. The new 32-bed facility would be built on a 110-acre parcel of land just outside Laurel’s city limits and would evaluate whether those accused of a crime are competent to stand trial.

Members of the community have expressed a wide variety of concerns ranging from inadequate city infrastructure to accommodate the new complex, to worries about the safety of an elementary school, located approximately half a mile away.

Laurel City Council at its Tuesday meeting selected Ward 1 member Tom Canape to lead the city after Waggoner’s departure. 

A new Laurel mayor will be elected in September, with a candidate filing period beginning Thursday, according to the Yellowstone County Elections Office.