ADA, Okla. (AP) – After receiving no challengers, Bill Anoatubby will serve a seventh term as governor of the Ada-based Chickasaw Nation.

It's the second time Anoatubby has gone unopposed in an election. Tribal officials say the filing date for challengers passed on June 8.

Anoatubby began working for the American Indian tribe in 1975 as its health services director and was elected as its lieutenant governor in 1979. Eight years later, he was elected to this first term as governor.

The tribe had about 250 employees in 1987; now it has about 10,600. The tribe says funding for tribal operations has risen from $11 million in 1987 to more than $750 million annually.

Anoatubby's running mate in the current election is incumbent tribal Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel.