By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
Richard G. Sneed, incumbent Principal Chief, and Teresa McCoy, a former long-time Big Cove Tribal Council representative, will square off in the race for the Principal Chief’s office in September’s General Election. With 1,132 (39.57 percent) votes, McCoy topped the field for the top office in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in the Primary Election held Thursday, June 6. She was followed by Chief Sneed with 1,117 (39.04 percent).
“The results were as we had anticipated, and I am very happy to be through to the general election,” said Chief Sneed. “We have a lot of work to do leading up to the general election and I’m ready to do the work to ensure the continued progress and prosperity of the Eastern Band.”
McCoy said of Thursday’s Primary, “Much gratitude goes out to the people that took the time to vote and who put their trust in me and others, to serve this great nation. This primary election shows that we have an interest in making our community the best it can be for all members equally. I am satisfied with the outcome and look forward to leading and protecting the rights and resources of our people.”
She added, “My plan for a healthy nation has been embraced by our communities and will continue to evolve as we explore the common needs that exist among our members. I will address areas from addiction to housing, cultural preservation to economy, and everything else that we spend tribal dollars on. Our tribal workforce does a tremendous job, and we can always work to improve. My focus in ensuring that our children, working force, and elders have the resources to live happy, healthy lives, for generations. Sgi!”
Chief Sneed carried five townships (Birdtown 321-294), Cherokee County (58-29), Painttown (152-128), Yellowhill (115-111), and Snowbird (70-60). McCoy carried three including Big Cove (166-66), Big Y (49-46), and Wolftown (206-174). Early voting was 102-77 in favor of Chief Sneed who edged McCoy in absentee votes (13-12).
Incumbent Vice Chief Alan B. Ensley topped the Vice Chief field with 1,089 followed by Jim Owle, former Tribal Council Chairman and current TCGE (Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise) chairman, with 551.
The EBCI Board of Elections did not have the voter turn-out percentages by press time on Tuesday morning. The Board did relate that there would be a recount in the Painttown Tribal Council race. The request was filed by Painttown Rep. Lisa Taylor (incumbent) who received 103 votes in the primary. Dike Sneed received the most votes in Painttown with 169 followed by incumbent Painttown Rep. Tommye Saunooke with 151. The bottom three candidates were each separated by a vote each with Cherie Bird Rose at 105, Pamela Sneed at 104, and Rep. Taylor at 103. The Board of Elections had not definitively scheduled the recount by press time.
Following are unofficial results, per the Board of Elections, for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Primary Election held on Thursday, June 6 (candidate in bold advance to the General Election). There was not a primary held in the Cherokee County – Snowbird Community nor for any of the Cherokee School Board seats.
Principal Chief
Teresa McCoy 1,132
Richie Sneed 1,117
Carroll “Peanut” Crowe 433
Gary R. Ledford 125
Phillip Ellington 54
Vice Chief
Alan B. Ensley 1,089
Jim Owle 551
Albert Martin 451
Terri Henry 255
Anita Welch Lossiah 216
James “Bud” Smith 121
Ben Parker 107
Frank Pete Taylor 75
Big Cove Tribal Council
Richard French 186
Perry Shell 164
Fred Penick 141
Renee Long Cole 100
Walter French 35
Birdtown Tribal Council
Boyd Owle 428
Albert Rose 375
Nelson Lambert 299
Ashley Sessions 183
Curtis Wildcatt 140
Alyne Stamper 88
Painttown Tribal Council
Dike Sneed 169
Tommye Saunooke 151
Cherie Bird Rose 105
Pam Sneed 104
Lisa Taylor 103
Wolftown Tribal Council
Bo Crowe 430
Bill Taylor 172
Nathaniel “Bunsey” Crowe 122
Chelsea Saunooke 118
Jeremy Wilson 105
Sam “Frell” Reed 101
Paula “Cricket” Brown Wojtkowski 88
Jess “Fonzie” Sneed 86
Tony Cabe 85
James David Jumper 47
Susan Toineeta (write-in) 15
Yellowhill Tribal Council
David T. Wolfe 223
Tom Wahnetah 166
Stephanie Saunooke French 76
Tawania Ensley 64
Rose Shell Maney 55
