Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
Guest commentary C. Russo, Tahlequah, OK
Copyright © 2003 C.Russo
Joe Byrd and a couple of others who lost their races in the recent 2003 Cherokee Nation primary election demanded a recount. The recount confirmed the initial election results. Now Byrd and these same people are challenging the Election Commission on what clearly appears to be non-substantive technicalities without merit. It is interesting to note that Byrd has never actually won an election for Cherokee Nation principal chief.Byrd lost the chief's race in the 1995 primary election. Out of a field of nine candidates in the 1995 primary election, Byrd garnered approximately 28.6 percent of the vote compared to the top vote-getter's 49 percent. The Cherokee Constitution requires that all elected officials of the Cherokee Nation receive at least 50.1 percent majority vote to win. This put Byrd into a run-off election.
Byrd was "defaulted" into the office of principal chief during the 1995 run-off election when his opponent was disqualified and his votes counted for naught on election day.
Byrd lost the race for office of principal chief in the 1999 primary election.
Byrd lost the 1999 run-off election. (Note: The Carter Commission supervised the election that year.)
Byrd lost the race for office of principal chief in the recent 2003 Primary Election.
On May 24, 2003, the Cherokee people made their leadership choices by majority vote. Byrd, Mayes and other 2003 primary election losers should face the reality, stop the whining, show a little leadership ability for a change and put the Cherokee people first. It is time to move forward and get on with the work of the Cherokee Nation on behalf of Cherokee people.
C. RUSSO
Tahlequah, Okla.
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Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma Attn: (Department Name) P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465 Telephone: 918-456-0671 (Toll Free OK) 1-800-256-0671 |
Cherokee Phoenix And Indian Advocate P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465 Phone: (918) 456-0671 Ext. 2324 E-mail: phoenix@cherokee.org Subscribe: 918-456-0671 (Ext.2269) |
| Related contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |