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Mayor, City of Russell

Vote for
1
Term
4 years
Candidates
2
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The mayor is the chief executive of the City of Russell and oversees city departments and services.

Nonpartisan. Open seat: Mayor Ron Simpson is running for city council. Both candidates are Russell City Council members.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Don Fraley

No party listed

Russell City Council member

The gist

  • Supports pausing data center business licenses until more is known
  • Voted for Russell's 180-day moratorium on data centersIn office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Don
View sources (2)

  1. Supports pausing data center business licenses until more is known

    'We ought to pause it': Russell council contemplates moratorium on data centers

    News coverage · The Daily Independent · Jun 3, 2026 · dailyindependent.com

    “until we know more, I think we ought to pause it. Don’t allow them a business license until we know more.”

  2. Voted for Russell's 180-day moratorium on data centers

    Russell places moratorium on data centers

    News coverage · The Daily Independent · Jun 9, 2026 · dailyindependent.com

    “Russell’s council voted unanimously to implement the sixth-month pause”

Ryan Biederman

No party listed

Social studies teacher; Russell City Council member · Russell

The gist

  • Supports pausing data center decisions to weigh impacts
  • Supports weighing data centers' effects on utilities and rates
  • Voted for Russell's 180-day moratorium on data centersIn office
  • Proposed tabling the data center zoning resolutionIn office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Ryan
View sources (3)

  1. Supports pausing data center decisions to weigh impacts

    'We ought to pause it': Russell council contemplates moratorium on data centers

    News coverage · The Daily Independent · Jun 3, 2026 · dailyindependent.com

    “I think it’s wise to put a pause and take time to make a clear decision.”

  2. Supports weighing data centers' effects on utilities and rates

    'We ought to pause it': Russell council contemplates moratorium on data centers

    News coverage · The Daily Independent · Jun 3, 2026 · dailyindependent.com

    “if it pulls too much from public utilities, if it’s going to harm the environment, and if it’s going to negatively affect rates”

  3. Voted for Russell's 180-day moratorium on data centers

    Russell places moratorium on data centers

    News coverage · The Daily Independent · Jun 9, 2026 · dailyindependent.com

    “Russell’s council voted unanimously to implement the sixth-month pause”

  4. Proposed tabling the data center zoning resolution

    Russell at standstill in zoning process: Mayor adjourns meeting after residents speak out against council's handling of data center regulations

    News coverage · The Daily Independent · Oct 1, 2026 · dailyindependent.com

    “if we have the option to table this to a later date”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 3 issues covered in this race.