Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
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The Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO), Joe Bryd, has formally filed for reelection. On the same day, Wednesday, February 11, 1999, Justice Dwight Birdwell, of the CNO's Justice Appeals Tribunal (JAT), also filed to run for the office of Principal Chief of the CNO. There has been an on going power struggle between the executive and the judicial branches of the CNO for better than two years.

Also filing for Principal Chief on Wednesday were Maxie Thompson of Rose, and Haskell Murphy of Tahlequah. Wednesday was the last day to file candidacy for any office in the upcoming CNO May 22 elections.

Bill John Baker, a member of the CNO council, had filed earlier to run for another term but, instead, is now running for Deputy Chief on the Byrd ticket. Gary Stopp of Tahlequah, has offered his resignation as Byrd's Chief of Staff to run for Deputy Chief.

Dwight Birdwell, of Stilwell, has a law firm in Oklahoma City. Birdwell said he believes he has "the leadership necessary to not only restore the tribe to its previous leadership position but to lead the Cherokees into the 21st century."

The tribe has lost sight of how to respect its elders said Birdwell, and how to abide by Cherokee Nation laws. Birdwell stated, "As your chief, I will propose and work for an agenda that will put us back on course."