GILLETTE, Wyo. — The 2024 election season is well underway, and County 17 has sent a list of questions to each candidate who has filed to run for a municipal office.
These questions are designed to give readers a better understanding of the people behind the names on the ballot. Except for minor grammar editing and clarifications, all candidate responses submitted to County 17 are republished as they are received.
Below, get to know Nathan McLeland, who is running to maintain his seat on the Gillette City Council as a representative of Ward 3:
Who are you?
I am Nathan McLeland. I am a Gillette Native and my wife Robbie and I are the parents of four incredible children. I graduated from Campbell County High School in 1995. Then I attended the University of Wyoming where I studied political science and competed in cross-country, indoor track, and track. In 2000, I graduated and then began attending the University of Wyoming College of Law. I graduated from law school in 2003 and was admitted to the Wyoming State Bar that fall. I practiced law for about four years and then began working for M & K Oil Company in the late summer of 2007. I am currently the CEO of M & K, making me a third-generation owner and CEO of the business my father and grandfather started in 1974. I joined the City Council in January of 2019. I have enjoyed serving the citizens of my ward. Serving on the City Council has been an incredible privilege. I enjoy finding solutions to complicated problems and finding ways to keep our city moving ahead. I work hard for my constituents and look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Gillette.
Why have you chosen to run for office and what do you hope to accomplish should you be elected?
I am running because I enjoy serving my community and I am a proven leader that can keep this community forward, even in challenging times. I have served on several community boards including the Gillette College Advisory Board, the Campbell County Public Land Board, and the Campbell Joint Powers Fire Board. I also have extensive experience as a business leader. I want to put my knowledge and experience to work for the residents of Ward 3 and keep Gillette moving forward.
How do you plan on accomplishing your goals?
We need to get back to what made this city great: Working together to build an amazing community in which to live and raise families. If we are going to address the challenges that lie ahead, cooperation is going to be key. The leaders that built this city understood this and I would like to see our community embrace this philosophy once again.
What about you, or your experiences, would make you a good steward of taxpayer dollars and a good representative of your community?
I have extensive experience serving as a city councilman, and member of several other boards. I understand the budget process and how to prioritize. I am also the CEO of an oil and gas business with over 60 employees. I know how to manage a budget, find opportunities, and pull back when necessary.
What major issues do you feel are prevalent in your community and how do you plan to address them?
We need to ensure our economy continues to thrive. We need to support our mineral industry. Our mineral industry is critical to the success of our city, state, and nation. We need to tell that story and ensure people understand just how important our mineral industry is. We need to leverage the resources we have to help current businesses expand and attract new ones. The infrastructure we have built provides Gillette with an incredible opportunity to help our existing businesses expand and attract new ones. Gillette has a lot to offer, and we need to ensure people know Gillette is a place where business and industry will succeed and that this is a great community in which to live and raise families.
