My Bio
I love Yellowstone County
My name is Hans Abbey and I love Yellowstone County.
I moved to Billings in the 7th grade and am proud to be a product of Billings Senior High School. I met my wife of 40 years while we worked at Rimrock Mall. Since then, we’ve owned several businesses in the area and raised three great kids here. I’m thankful every day that they got to enjoy the same great parks, friendly neighbors, and community events that I did.
My life’s work has been rooted in building our community. As a local business owner and community leader, I’ve worked with people from every background and every industry to organize events, support families, strengthen nonprofits, and help local businesses grow. Those experiences have shaped how I see the future of Yellowstone County.
Our county works best when we stop thinking in terms of red or blue and start thinking in terms of community - that’s why I’ve chosen to run as an Independent. I’m not running to represent a political party and will never be beholden to party bosses or special interests. When elected, I’ll be in service to the residents of Yellowstone County, from working families to seniors aging in place to young professionals just starting out.
My Key Issues
Let's build a Science Museum
A world-class Yellowstone Science Museum would give our region something rare and powerful: a place where curiosity, innovation, education, and community all collide under one roof like sparks in a Montana thunderstorm. This museum would celebrate who we are and what built this region, from agriculture and energy to medicine, engineering, aerospace, the Yellowstone ecosystem, and the big ideas shaping the future of the West. It would inspire kids to dream bigger, help students connect classroom learning to real careers, attract tourism and investment, and create a gathering place where families, inventors, educators, and industry leaders can explore together. We are going to build it the same way great Montana projects have always been built: by bringing people to the table. Through public support, private partnerships, business sponsorships, grants, community fundraising, and bold local leadership, we will create a museum that belongs to the people of Yellowstone County and beyond. Not just a building filled with exhibits, but a launchpad for the next generation of scientists, builders, creators, and problem-solvers.
A Fresh Perspective
Leadership should not begin with instructions from party bosses or political insiders. It should begin with listening to the people who live, work, raise families, and build communities here every day. Being independent means having the freedom to look at problems honestly, bring different groups together, and focus on practical solutions instead of political theater. A true community leader is not owned by a party machine, special interests, or national talking points. They are accountable to their neighbors. Our community deserves leadership willing to sit at every table, hear every perspective, and make decisions based on what helps Yellowstone County grow stronger, smarter, and more connected for the future.
Planning 20 Years Ahead Instead of Reacting 10 Years Too Late
Yellowstone County cannot afford to spend the next 20 years reacting to growth instead of preparing for it. Smart communities plan ahead for the roads, water systems, public safety, housing, transportation, technology, parks, and economic development that future generations will depend on. As our population grows, we need leadership willing to think beyond the next election cycle and focus on building long-term infrastructure that keeps our county strong, competitive, and affordable. That means investing strategically today so families, businesses, schools, emergency services, and future industries can thrive tomorrow. Great communities are not built by accident. They are built by leaders who can see what is coming and have the courage to prepare for it before the pressure arrives.
Strong Public Safety Builds Strong Communities
Public safety must be the first responsibility of county government and the first priority in the county budget. Before anything else, families deserve to know that when they call for help, someone will answer quickly, professionally, and with the resources needed to protect lives and property. That means properly funding law enforcement, fire protection, emergency response, disaster preparedness, detention services, communications systems, and the infrastructure that supports them. As Yellowstone County grows, the demands on public safety grow with it. We cannot continue asking first responders to do more with less while the population, traffic, and complexity of our community continue to expand. Strong communities are built on a foundation of safety, and that foundation must be funded first, not treated as an afterthought when budgets become tight.
Send Me a Message
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!