Longtime Superior Mayor Roni Phillips decided not to run for reelection this year after a dozen years leading the town.

She started in public service as a dispatcher for the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office and worked her way to supervisor and the detention supervisor. Both being demanding positions while being the mayor, and today she is happy to be at the Superior Elementary School as a paraprofessional. 

She credits the Superior Town Council, staff and employees for accomplishing what they have done over the years working as a team with professional attitudes. Phillips served as councilor for Ward 2 for 10 years from 2004 to 2013, then mayor for 12 years beginning in 2014. Her term ends Dec. 31.

The only person who filed to run for the mayor position was Andrew Hanson and with no one else interested, there wasn’t an election last week. But Hanson grew up in Superior and was happy to share some history and look to the future.

Tell us what your dad did in this community and the effect it must have had on you.

My parents and grandparents were deeply involved in the Superior community. Both my dad and grandfather served as presidents of the Superior Lions Club. My dad also chaired the hospital board and served as president of the chamber of commerce. My whole family has always been active in local organizations and community projects.

My grandmother, Elsie Hanson, taught in Superior and previously worked as the city clerk. She also played a big role in the establishment of the Superior pool at Eva Horning Park.

Growing up around people who cared deeply about their community gave me a strong sense of pride and a passion for service. In a small town with limited resources, the generosity of time and effort from its residents makes all the difference. That understanding has stayed with me and continues to inspire me to give back.

Where did you go and what did you do when you moved with your family from Superior?

My family left Superior in 1991 after running and eventually selling Hanson’s Petroleum. My parents decided to pursue careers in education, so we moved to Idaho for a year and then settled in Bigfork, where I graduated from high school in 1996. I went on to earn an education degree from the University of Montana.

I’ve taught in North Bend, Washington; Polson; and at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo. I spent 12 years at SKC, first as an educational technology specialist and later as director of academic success. In 2019, I transitioned from higher education to the building connections industry, working as an instructional designer. That experience led me to my current role in business development, where I work remotely with sustainably produced engineered wood known as mass timber. 

What made you want to become the mayor of Superior, and how long ago did you entertain the idea?

After moving back to Superior, I wanted to get involved with organizations that make our community such a great place to live, work and raise a family. I didn’t have a specific goal in mind, just a desire to support the things that make Superior special.

The idea of running for mayor began around the same time the Mineral County Rec Club was getting started. As our group worked closely with town leaders, I realized that few younger generations were stepping into local leadership roles. I saw that as an opportunity to serve and help continue the strong foundation built by previous town councils and mayors.

In the spring of 2025, I decided to file as a candidate for mayor.

What changes or improvements do you feel need to be made, or at least considered through discussion?

I believe the first and most important step is to provide strong, seamless support to the town council, city employees and the resources they manage. Our previous mayor, Roni Phillips, set a great example in this area. The current team has done an incredible job managing many responsibilities with limited resources while maintaining a strong record of fiscal responsibility. Significant infrastructure improvements are constantly underway, and their successful funding and execution are a direct result of strong leadership.

Beyond that, I think it’s vital to explore ways to grow our local economy. One of our greatest assets is our access to abundant natural resources. Finding responsible ways to use those resources to support community growth will be key. Maintaining and improving our infrastructure is both one of our biggest accomplishments and an ongoing challenge. I want to make full use of all available resources to build on that success.

I have many ideas for supporting local businesses, expanding public resources, and strengthening the foundation of Superior. But ultimately, the mayor’s role is to listen to the community, support the town council, stay informed about the community’s needs and lead fair and welcoming meetings. Real progress happens through teamwork and thoughtful planning with all our city leaders.          

What ideas do you have for economic development and what people/organizations do you see assisting?

There are many ways we can help grow economic opportunities in Superior. One good place to start is by finding ways to capture more of the dollars already moving through the busy Lower Clark Fork corridor and along I-90. It’s also important to support the local organizations and businesses that are working hard to thrive here. Their success will strengthen our job base and create the foundation for new businesses to grow.

What relationship do you feel the town of Superior and the Superior School District should have?

Building strong relationships with key community partners, such as the school, hospital, Sheriff’s Office, fire and others has been a priority for past mayors. In a small town like ours, people often wear many hats and are connected through multiple roles and services. Listening, showing up and offering support to these organizations help build a stronger community.

There are great opportunities to share resources, combine efforts and work together to tackle big challenges. Simply being present at local events and forums helps strengthen those connections. My goal is to maintain a strong and consistent presence at community gatherings whenever possible. If you look at our current council, you’ll see dedicated individuals who are deeply involved in many areas of our town. I hope to continue and build on that tradition as mayor.

 What concerns do you have and how will you be addressing them?

Change is inevitable. As residents of Superior, we know there are changes we welcome and others that can feel uncertain. Having strong community organizations, rooted in our history and engaged in shaping our future, can help ease those fears.

One of our biggest challenges is encouraging more people to take an active role in shaping what our community becomes. Many of us have a deep appreciation for the natural beauty and resources that surround us, and it’s important to balance promoting what we have with protecting what makes this area so special.

Another key concern is planning for the future of leadership. We’ve been fortunate to have many dedicated individuals serve our community for years, but no one can do it forever. Developing a succession plan and bringing in new people to continue their work is essential to keeping our organizations and community strong.

With this new position, would you prefer to be called Andrew or Drew?

I don't have a preference for Andy, Drew, or Andrew. Drew is the most common name I go by, and it sort of accidentally happened when I moved away from Superior. As mayor, I will officially sign things with Andrew Hanson. Outside of that, any of them work.   

Mayor Andrew Hanson officially takes over the office Jan. 1, 2026.