TAHLEQUAH — Almost 30 candidates have filed to run for positions on the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma Tribal Council. Four district representative incumbents remained unopposed and include Canadian District Representative Eddie Sacks from Muskogee, Flint District Representative Woodrow Proctor from Greasy, Saline District Representative Charles Smoke from Salina and Sequoyah District Representative Barry Dotson from Sallisaw.

In the race for chief, three candidates will compete to win the top tribal post, including incumbent Chief George Wickliffe from Kenwood, Jerry Henson from Hulbert, and Dallas Proctor from Colcord. Running forthe assistant chief’s position are incumbent Charles Locust from Stilwell and Albert Shade from Tahlequah. A trio of candidates filed to run for tribal secretary including incumbent Liz Littledave of Briggs, Adalene Smith from Colcord and J. Kristine Scraper from Tahlequah. Rounding out the tribal officers candidates list for the position of tribal treasurer are incumbent Shelbi Doyeto Wofford from Claremore and Ella Mae Cooksey Worley from Stilwell.

For the Cooweescoowee District, four candidates filed for District Representative including incumbent Clifford Wofford from Claremore, E. Marie Locust-Brancheau from Claremore, Jo Ann Tidwell from Catoosa and Portia Wickliffe-Kelley from Claremore. In the Delaware District, incumbent Jerry Hansen from Colcord will face off against Richard Fields from Twin Oaks. In the Goingsnake District, incumbent Joyce Fourkiller-Hawk from Stilwell will run against William (Willie) Christie from Kansas. In the Illinois District, incumbent district representative Barbara Girty from Vian will face off against Donald Adair from Vian. In the Tahlequah District, four candidates will vie for the representative position including Kenneth (Toot) Hogner from Tahlequah, Betty Holcomb from Tahlequah, Katherine Neugin White from Hulbert and V. Matthew Walls from Tahlequah.

“I’m pleased with the election board staff and the professional way they handled the filing process,” said Election Board Chairman Leroy Adair. “Our polling locations are set, and after a background check on the candidates, we will begin printing the ballots and arranging for the voting machines to be delivered. I encourage all registered tribal members to get out and vote.”

The Keetoowah Cherokee election will be held Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations: 

• Canadian District 

Muskogee: Civitan Park Building, 3301 Gibson St. Phone: 687-8973.

• Flint District

Stilwell: Stilwell Satellite Office on the corner of Young and Section Line Road. Phone: 696-7672.

• Goingsnake District

Stilwell: Maryetta Public School, 100 Maryetta Road. Phone: 696-2285.

• Illinois District

Vian: Vian Satellite Office, 207 W. Schley, aross the street from the Lifetime Tire Shop.

• Sequoyah District

Sallisaw: Sallisaw Civic Center, 111 N. Elm. Phone: 775-6241.