MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Oklahoma News

Discussion

May 22, 2009

Smith to seek 4th term as Cherokee chief

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Chad Smith plans to seek a fourth term as the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.



A tribal court ruled this week that Smith was eligible for re-election, despite a two-term limit that was enacted as part of the tribe's new constitution in 2003.



The court ruled that Smith was in office prior to the passage of the term limit and should be eligible for two terms after it went into effect.



Smith has only been elected once since the term limit took effect, and announced yesterday that he'll run for another four-year term in 2011. He was first elected in 1999.



The court's ruling will also clear the way for some tribal councilors to seek another term instead of being forced out of office.

Text Only
Oklahoma News