Chickasaw Nation Election Secretary Rita Loder announced today that Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby and Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel will remain in office for another four-year term.

The team was officially reelected by a one vote margin when no challengers had filed at the close of the filing period 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8.

Incumbent Supreme Court Justice Cheri L. Bellefuille-Gordon was also unchallenged and will retain Seat 3 on the court.

Four incumbent legislators will face challengers for the primary election scheduled for July 26, 2011.

Pontotoc District Seat 3 incumbent Katie Case of Ada will face challengers Mary Ruth Barnes of Fitzhugh and Barbara Allen Wilson of Ada.

Pontotoc District Seat 4 incumbent Dean McManus of Ada, will face challenger Matthew Scott Gore, Esq. of Ada.

Pickens District Seat 2 incumbent Connie Barker of Marietta will face challenger Mike Watson of Ardmore.

Tishomingo District Seat 3 incumbent legislator Steven E. Woods of Sulphur will face Melanie Peden of Tishomingo and Joyce L. Wesley of Milburn.

Registered Chickasaw voters will vote by mail ballots. Ballots will be mailed to qualified voters July 11, 2011.

Ballots must be returned to the Chickasaw Nation Election Commission no later than 10:30 a.m. on July 26, 2011. No hand delivered ballots will be accepted.

The Chickasaw Nation Election Commission shall conduct and supervise the ballot counting beginning at 11 a.m. July 26, 2011, at the Chickasaw Community Center in Ada. Results of the elections shall be announced the same day.

For more information, contact Ms. Loder at (580) 310-6475.


Candidates filing are as follows:

Governor/Lt. Governor:

Bill Anoatubby/Jefferson Keel (Incumbents)


Legislature:

Pontotoc District

Seat 3 Katie Case (Incumbent) - Ada

Seat 3 Mary Ruth Barnes - Fitzhugh

Seat 3 Barbara Allen Wilson - Ada

Pontotoc District

Seat 4 Dean McManus (Incumbent) - Ada

Seat 4 Matthew Scott Gore - Ada

Pickens District

Seat 2 Connie Barker (Incumbent) - Marietta

Seat 2 Mike Watson - Ardmore

Tishomingo District

Seat 3 Steven E. Woods (Incumbent) - Sulphur

Seat 3 Melanie Peden - Tishomingo

Seat 3 Joyce L. Wesley - Milburn

Supreme Court:

Seat 3 Cheri L. Bellefuille-Gordon (Incumbent) – Sulphur