LAUREL - Citing ongoing "health challenges," Laurel Mayor Dave Waggoner announced in a letter to the city council and community on Tuesday morning that he is resigning from office.
Waggoner's resignation comes just one day before the deadline for a recall election to be set in the fall.
Watch Tuesday night coverage:
City council president Tom Canape presided in Waggoner’s place at the Tuesday evening city council meeting. Canape will continue to fulfill Waggoner’s role until a new mayor is chosen.
Waggoner was not present at the meeting.
The Yellowstone County election office told MTN Tuesday afternoon that there will be a mayoral election in September, and that candidate filings open May 21.
Waggoner came under fire from some in the community for his support of a state plan to build a forensic mental health facility in the community.
He argued in a recent 5-page letter to the community that exposing the state’s plans to residents early on would have posed a legal risk for the city.
“We had no way of knowing what the residents would want, and we could not even ask due to the risk of legal action in case of a negative vote,” he said in the recent letter.
Waggoner was in his second term as the city's mayor after winning a close election last November.
Waggoner said in the letter his resignation will be effective on Friday, May 22, at 5 p.m. He confirmed on Tuesday that he has been fighting cancer.
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Read the full resignation letter here:
Dear City Council and Community Members,
After much prayer, reflection, and discussion with my family and medical providers, I have made the difficult decision to resign from my position as Mayor of the City of Laurel, effective Friday, May 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
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.
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. My resignation is strictly a health-related decision and one I feel is necessary for both myself and my family at this time.
I remain grateful to those who supported the vision of moving Laurel forward. I also appreciate the many city employees, volunteers, community members, and council members who work hard every day to serve this community.
Laurel is a strong community filled with good people, and it is my sincere hope that the city can move forward with unity, respect, and a shared commitment to doing what is best for its citizens.
Sincerely,
David Waggoner
Mayor, City of Laurel
Waggoner told MTN Tuesday, “I was not afraid of the recall. It took them a long time to get the minimum amount of signatures, which is still less than a quarter of the registered voters in Laurel. I would have beat them. They did not weigh in my decision.”
Laurel residents said they chose to support the recall petition after seeing public records of communication between Waggoner, Chief Administrative Officer Kurt Markegard, and the state before the state chose Laurel for the state forensic mental health facility.
“It wasn’t until the release of public records that I had some major concerns. Number one, for transparency, but number two also for actions that the mayor and the CAO took that I felt usurped the authority that the city council has for the future of our city,” said Kris Vogele, a member of group Laurel C.A.R.E.D., which has opposed the facility coming to Laurel.
“There was a lot of documents that should have gone through review with the city council and the attorney,” said Laura Kirschenmann, another member of Laurel C.A.R.E.D.
Residents also expressed concern and well wishes for Waggoner, after he said he resigned due to his cancer battle.
“I’m most concerned for the mayor, for his health,” said Vogele.
“I sincerely wish Mayor Waggoner the best in this continued health journey and hope he is able to focus fully on himself and his family and his recovery moving forward,” said Jennifer Lorenz, another member of Laurel C.A.R.E.D.
Waggoner oversaw the building of a splash pad, a Love’s Travel Stop, new irrigation systems in parks to conserve water and more during his time as mayor.
Laurel Public Works Director Matt Wheeler told MTN, “Some major water and sewer plant projects have been completed over his time in office as well… quite a few good projects got done.”
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Laurel mayor breaks silence on forensic mental health facility, recall petition
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