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Ben Rigby
From Ballotpedia
Ben Rigby is running for election to the Helena City Commission in Montana. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. He advanced from the primary on September 9, 2025.
Rigby completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Ben Rigby was born in Lowell, Indiana. He earned an associate degree from Vincennes University in 2010. His career experience includes working as an executive director. Rigby has been affiliated with the Montana Section of the American Water Works Association.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in Helena, Montana (2025)
General election
General election for Helena City Commission (2 seats)
Incumbent Melinda Reed, Haley McKnight, Ben Rigby, and Shawn White Wolf are running in the general election for Helena City Commission on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
 | Melinda Reed (Nonpartisan)  | |
 | Haley McKnight (Nonpartisan) | |
 | Ben Rigby (Nonpartisan) | |
| Shawn White Wolf (Nonpartisan) | ||
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Helena City Commission (2 seats)
Incumbent Melinda Reed, Ben Rigby, Haley McKnight, and Shawn White Wolf defeated Brenton Craggs in the primary for Helena City Commission on September 9, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Melinda Reed (Nonpartisan) | 35.6 | 5,939 |
| ✔ | | Ben Rigby (Nonpartisan) | 23.4 | 3,898 |
| ✔ | | Haley McKnight (Nonpartisan) | 22.2 | 3,702 |
| ✔ | Shawn White Wolf (Nonpartisan) | 10.9 | 1,827 | |
| Brenton Craggs (Nonpartisan) | 7.1 | 1,185 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.8 | 140 | ||
| Total votes: 16,691 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
To view Rigby's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ben Rigby completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Rigby's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I was born and raised in Lowell, Indiana, where I developed a deep respect for small-town communities and the power of collaboration. For over a decade now, I'm proud to call Helena home. After earning a degree in Land Surveying, I’m currently pursuing another in Earth Science, focused on Natural Resources. My professional journey began with the City of Helena as a Water Operator, eventually becoming Water Treatment Superintendent. For nearly 6 years, I led daily operations, ensured regulatory compliance, managed budgets, and oversaw infrastructure upgrades in pursuit of safe and reliable drinking water. The role gave me invaluable experience working across departments and preparing one of the city’s largest budgets. It shaped my understanding of what it takes to build a resilient, thriving community. Today, I serve as Executive Director of Montana Rural Water, a nonprofit committed to helping communities across the state maintain safe, sustainable water and wastewater systems. Through training, technical assistance, and strategic resource allocation, we advocate for solutions that protect Montana’s most precious resource. I also sit on the board of the Montana Section of the American Water Works Association, meeting with state leaders and advancing policies and best practices to safeguard our infrastructure and public health. Outside of work, you’ll find me supporting downtown events, volunteering locally, fishing, and running Helena's unmatched trails.
- Helena’s infrastructure keeps our homes safe, our water clean, and our community thriving. I've led critical upgrades, including securing funds to update the Tenmile Water Treatment Plant and working towards perfecting the City of Helena’s groundwater rights. As your next City Commissioner, I'll continue strengthening the systems we depend on for generations to come. Understanding the complexities of Helena’s vital systems has prepared me to hit the ground running on taking care of our community.
- Protecting Helena’s environment isn’t a side issue; it’s a core value. I believe the health of our land, water, and trails is inseparable from the wellbeing of our community, economy, and future. From safeguarding the Tenmile watershed to expanding access to natural spaces, I’ll work to ensure Helena’s growth honors the land we cherish.
- Growth shouldn’t mean losing what makes Helena special. I will work with local leaders and stakeholders to expand affordable housing opportunities while preserving the character and safety of our neighborhoods so local families, workers, and young adults can continue to thrive right here at home.
I'm deeply committed to building Helena’s future through smart infrastructure planning, practical housing solutions, environmental stewardship, and strong support for small businesses. Fiscal responsibility and transparency about city budgeting are critical. This is not just a legal obligation but a fundamental right of our community. Knowing my decisions directly impact people's lives is a responsibility I take incredibly seriously.
As a third-generation water professional, I'm proud to carry forward my family's legacy of public service. My grandfather Frank started his career as a meter reader and worked his way up to superintendent, teaching me dedication and technical excellence. My uncle Mickey served as both water operator and engineer. His warmth, humor, and ability to connect with people showed me that empathy and community spirit are just as vital as technical expertise. Though they've both passed away, their passion for public service and genuine care for people inspire and guide me every day.
The animated movie Rango beautifully illustrates my political philosophy. It emphasizes the critical importance of water as the lifeblood of any community and highlights that transparency and accountability in leadership are paramount. Without open communication, clear insight, and active participation from citizens, communities struggle and ultimately fail. Rango demonstrates how trust, cooperation, and honest governance are essential for communal success.
Approachability and transparency are essential. Listening actively and being honest with the people you serve matters above all. You are elected by the people, for the people. It is their trust that puts you in the office, and they deserve clear communication and full accountability on what you're doing on their behalf.
I bring a rare combination of technical expertise, visionary leadership, and community-centered values that enable me to serve Helena effectively. My management experience has honed my ability to communicate clearly, listen actively, and build consensus among community stakeholders. I hold myself to the highest ethical standards, ensuring every decision is guided by transparency, accountability, and a genuine commitment to serving our community.
City Commissioners serve as the vital bridge between Helena’s residents and their local government, combining fiscal stewardship with thoughtful policymaking. By balancing financial oversight with open communication and community engagement, they keep government accessible, accountable, and aligned with the needs of every resident.
My very first job was as a server at a banquet hall called Andora. I was 16 years old, and we hosted all kinds of events like weddings, baby showers, dances, you name it. The following summer, I began working in landscaping and juggled both jobs for a while. Eventually, I transitioned fully into the landscaping role until I left for college. Being a server gave me a deep appreciation and unwavering respect for those in the food and event industry. To everyone working in that world: thank you. It’s not easy, and your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed!
My favorite book is Why Buddhism Is True by Robert Wright. Don’t judge a book by its cover. It’s not about religion in the traditional sense. Instead, it offers a deep dive into the inner workings of the human mind, exploring why we feel and think the way we do. Wright compellingly argues that “natural selection didn’t design your mind to see the world clearly; it designed your mind to have perceptions and beliefs that would help take care of your genes.” This perspective on human nature and perception profoundly impacted me. It reshaped how I see the world and helped me better understand my own thoughts and emotions. The book challenged me to approach life more mindfully and compassionately, truly changing my life for the better.
One personal challenge I’ve worked to overcome is discipline. It took me nearly 25 years to genuinely understand who I am and how I want to show up in the world. For a long time, I did just enough to get by, but that changed when I embraced a more disciplined approach. Whether it's rising early for my daily run, committing fully to my professional responsibilities, being a thoughtful and supportive partner to my wife, or serving the City of Helena with care and accountability, discipline is now a cornerstone of how I live and lead. It has shaped every meaningful aspect of my life and continues to guide me forward.
Absolutely. Prior experience in government provides valuable insight into municipal processes, budgeting, and interagency collaboration. This enables a commissioner to quickly navigate complexities and effectively manage responsibilities. Understanding regulations, zoning, and policy nuances helps avoid common pitfalls and ensures informed decision-making.
Effective City Commissioners blend technical insight with collaborative leadership, grounding their decisions in robust data and community engagement. Essential skills include strong communication to build consensus, strategic planning for long-term solutions, responsible budgeting and financial management, and a comprehensive understanding of municipal infrastructure to ensure reliable and efficient public services.
The City Commission sets the direction for our community, whether it's managing infrastructure projects, establishing zoning regulations, supporting local businesses, or balancing the city budget. The Commission serves as a steward for the entire city, uniquely positioned with the tools and responsibility to shape Helena's success or failure. Their decisions directly affect the quality of life for all residents, making their role both important and distinct within local government.
Commissioner Andy Hunthausen, Lisa Cordingley, Moffie Funk, Seth and Nikki O'Connell, Diana Hammer, Mayor Wilmot Collins, Commissioner Emily Dean, Commissioner Andy Shirtliff, Commissioner Sean Logan, Rebecca Boslough King, Callie Aschim, Mark Runkle, Jayson O'Neill, Jim and Cindy Utterback, Jim Smith, Riley Tubbs, Travis Brower, Matthew Paulsen, Mary Hollow, Amy Seaman, Chad and Lindsey Krywaruchka, Christian Claeys.
I believe financial transparency is the bedrock of public trust. Helena residents have a right to see how every dollar is budgeted and spent, and clear, timely reporting helps prevent waste, fraud, and inefficiency.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 11, 2025
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