BILLINGS — Mike Nelson will be Billings’ next mayor.

Billings City Council member Jennifer Owen conceded the race in a post on Facebook late Monday afternoon.

The concession comes after the Yellowstone County Elections Office counted the remaining provisional and resolved rejected ballots left over from Election Night.

Those added ballots left Nelson with a 177-vote lead in a tight race that saw more than 30,000 votes cast. The vote percentage difference of 0.59% is beyond the amount that can allow for a recount.

Owen said she spoke with the new mayor-elect businessman Mike Nelson prior to her 4:40 p.m. social media post. She wished him well as a new council prepares to take office this January.

“Once again, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their prayers, love,

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