Residents of Longview, Washington, will have a new mayor starting Jan. 8. A vote on the largely ceremonial role will happen during the city council’s first meeting of 2026.

Voters elected three new councilors — Chris Bryant, Mike Claxton and Wayne Nichols — during the November election. The full seven-member group selects a mayor from their peers once every two years.

Spencer Boudreau will leave his seat as mayor and councilor after he lost reelection this fall. He was first elected to the city council in 2021.

Longview’s new council will weigh several financial projects in 2026, according to City Manager Jennifer Wills. They include a potential tax increase for a new fire station, finding ways to boost economic development in the manufacturing community, and balancing a $4 million budget deficit in the 2027-28 biennium.

“We’re trying to plan now — this whole past year — on how we’re going to try to get through to be able to fill that gap,” Wills said.

Longview operates under what’s commonly called a weak-mayor form of government. The city council votes on local policies and ordinances, while the appointed city manager carries out those priorities while overseeing city departments and the budget. The mayor’s role is largely focused on being a representative for the city and leading council meetings.

A mayor pro tem, meaning a council member who steps in for the mayor if the mayor is absent, also will be chosen during the meeting in January.

Councilors can nominate anyone on the council to be mayor, including themselves. There is no public participation in the process.

Bryant, Claxton and Nichols will begin their four-year terms in 2026. The three were officially sworn in on Dec. 11 to begin the council’s transition period.

They will join existing councilors Erik Halvorson, Ruth Kendall, Kalei LaFave and Keith Young, who each have two years remaining in their terms.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/01/01/longview-city-council-selects-new-mayor/