Emily Talago (Bozeman City Commission At-large, Montana, candidate 2025)

Emily Talago

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, Bozeman City Commission At-large

Elections and appointments

Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Allentown Central Catholic High School

Bachelor's

Marywood University, 2009

Graduate

Marywood University, 2010

Personal

Birthplace

Bethlehem, Pa.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Project manager

Contact

Campaign website

Emily Talago is running for election for Bozeman City Commission At-large in Montana. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

Talago completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Emily Talago provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 6, 2025:

• Birth place: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
• High school: Allentown Central Catholic High School
• Bachelor's: Marywood University, 2009
• Graduate: Marywood University, 2010
• Gender: Female
• Religion: Catholic
• Profession: Project Manager
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Listening. Leading. Together.
• Campaign website

Elections

General election

The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.

General election for Bozeman City Commission At-large (2 seats)

The following candidates are running in the general election for Bozeman City Commission At-large on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Eli Anselmi (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Roger Blank (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Emma Bode (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Trevor Nameniuk (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Alison Sweeney (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Emily Talago (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

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Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Emily Talago completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Talago's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a longtime Bozeman resident with experience in science, business, and community service. I'm known for being pragmatic and thoughtful. I am the daughter of a third-generation nurseryman, and from him I learned the value of hard work and dedication—principles I apply every day in the horticulture industry. I hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biotechnology and previously worked as a research scientist, including managing a laboratory at Montana State University. Since 2016, I have worked at Cashman Nursery and Landscaping, leading marketing and outreach, while also developing community education programs and new business initiatives. I also manage projects for the Montana Nursery and Landscape Association, overseeing grant-funded activities and organizational planning.

In addition to my professional career, I have been active in local civic life for more than a decade. I founded the Midtown Neighborhood Association and represented it on the Bozeman InterNeighborhood Council, where I later served as chair. I also served on the Midtown Urban Renewal Board, contributing to the vision for revitalizing one of Bozeman’s core districts. Across these roles, I have gained experience navigating contentious issues, building consensus, and ensuring community voices remain engaged in decision-making processes.

For fun, I enjoy gardening, tinkering with old Toyotas, motorcycles, and unwinding with puzzles or a good charcuterie-board-game-night with friends.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Policies that make sense– I focus on practical, measurable policies that deliver results for Bozeman residents. Every decision is evaluated for who benefits, how, and on what timeline. Goals are tied to clear outcome indicators, with progress reported openly so the community can see what’s working and hold the city accountable. Good policy means knowing whether programs achieve their purpose and making timely adjustments when they do not. This approach ensures resources are used efficiently and government decisions lead to real impact.
• Community-centered governance– I believe city government works best when residents see their input reflected in decisions. Engagement should be transparent, collaborative, and grounded in trust, not control. Government should partner with neighborhoods, businesses, and nonprofits, listening carefully and clearing backlogs of stalled priorities. My goal is to strengthen communication, build consensus across stakeholders, and ensure that city leadership acts responsively while respecting the proper role of government.
• Getting the basics right– I’ll prioritize safe streets, strong neighborhoods, and city services that meet today’s needs, while planning responsibly for Bozeman’s future. That means fair and consistent enforcement of traffic, code, and public safety rules, and budgets that reflect reality. Growth should be guided by land use rooted in context and function, with predictable, transparent standards. I support more housing options through permit-ready plans that reduce delays and deliver targeted results that fit community needs.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about broad values imperative to the healthy function of a thriving community, while reflecting the unique features that define Bozeman— our elevated value of neighborhoods, wild spaces, environmental stewardship, education, art, and the relationships that sustain and propel the city forward. I define Bozeman by its people and how we work together, not just by its amenities. Policy areas I'm excited to focus on include:

-Neighborhoods, Land Use, and Community Planning
-Public Safety and Infrastructure
-Economic Opportunity and Workforce Support

-Common Sense Governance and Accountability

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

City government is the level of government that touches people’s daily lives most directly. Bozeman’s City Commission governs everything from land use and housing policy to water, sewer, and solid waste services. It oversees fire and police, parks and recreation, transportation, and the physical framework that makes a community livable.

What makes it unique is the immediacy of its impact. Local decisions influence not only how a city grows, but how it feels– its sense of safety, belonging, and character. The work is both practical and deeply human.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

In 1913, Woodrow Wilson delivered an address at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. This is a quote from that speech that has stuck with me since I first read it many years ago. "You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand."

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity and humility are non-negotiable. People deserve to trust that their elected officials will tell the truth, admit mistakes, and stay grounded in service. Beyond moral character, I believe the best public servants have a genuine concern for others and a heart service dedicated to improving their communities.

Most issues aren’t black and white, so curiosity and a love of problem-solving go a long way. A strong sense of civic duty and respect for democratic process keeps decisions accountable to the public good.

For me, effective leadership means listening deeply, weighing evidence, and building consensus, even when it’s hard. The work is about balancing competing needs while holding to core values of fairness, transparency, and respect.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The oath of office is to defend and uphold the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution of the State of Montana, and the Bozeman City Charter. That means respecting both the rule of law and the spirit of democracy it represents.

The practical side of the job is to be responsive, to listen, deliberate, and decide in the best interest of the whole community. I view government less as a savior and more as an arbiter: its role is to create structure and opportunity, to manage resources wisely, and to ensure that public benefits are equitably shared.

At its best, city government provides a foundation for people to thrive, through clear standards, responsible budgeting, and decisions grounded in long-term community wellbeing.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Many people are surprised to learn that much of the commission’s authority is delegated to city staff for efficiency. However, that delegation is conditional and the commission retains the right to reclaim decision-making authority at any time.

This means elected officials must stay informed and engaged, even in areas where they’re not directly voting week-to-week. It also underscores the importance of oversight, accountability, and maintaining a clear line of communication between staff, the commission, and the public.

That balance between trust and responsibility is at the heart of good local governance.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Experience helps, but it isn’t everything. Holding office is not the same as understanding governance. Elections can sometimes feel like popularity contests, but what matters most is thoughtful consideration, integrity, and respect for legal frameworks.

I’ve seen candidates make promises that sound great on paper but fall outside the city’s legal authority. Knowing where that line is—between advocacy and responsibility—is essential.

What’s most valuable is a demonstrated ability to listen, collaborate, and navigate complex systems while keeping an eye on practical outcomes.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

A sense of humor and a steady temperament go a long way. The ability to manage complex systems, think critically, and communicate clearly are essential.

Equally important are empathy and patience, because governing requires understanding multiple perspectives and balancing competing needs.

Problem-solving, analytical thinking, and active listening help turn public input into actionable policy. Above all, commissioners should bring humility and curiosity to the table. No one person has all the answers, but good governance depends on asking the right questions.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

The City Commission is where policy meets reality. It sets land use policy, approves budgets, and ensures essential services like public safety, utilities, and infrastructure are delivered effectively.

Beyond the mechanics, the commission’s role is to safeguard Bozeman’s commonwealth and to manage growth while protecting what people love about this place. It’s the intersection of planning, policy, and community values.

This office is unique in that its decisions shape the very spaces we live, work, and play in. It’s about making choices today that support the Bozeman we want for the next generation.

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.

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Candidate

Bozeman City Commission At-large

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