Published: June 05, 2009 09:53 am      

Chickasaw races set for vote

The names of candidates seeking four legislative seats and one judicial seat within the Chickasaw Nation are now set with one coming from Elmore City.

With a three-day filing period coming to an end Wednesday afternoon, Chickasaw Nation Election Secretary Rita Loder released the names, which includes Wanda Blackwood Tippit Scott of Elmore City.

Now seeking another term, she is the incumbent candidate for Pickens District Seat 4. Also filing for the seat was challenger Shana Tate Hammond of Ardmore.

Four candidates filed for Pontotoc District Seat 2, which was vacated when incumbent legislator Dr. Judy Goforth Parker resigned to accept a position as administrator of the Chickasaw Nation Division of Health.

Nancy Elliott, Sandra Renee Gibson, Leon D. Brown, all of Ada, and Todd Griffith of Newcastle, filed for the open seat.

Pontotoc District Seat 1 incumbent Holly Easterling of Ada will face challenger Pattie Howell, also of Ada.

Incumbent David Woerz of Ardmore will face challengers Leslie Larsen Hicks and Mike Watson, both of Ardmore, for Pickens District Seat 1.

Tishomingo District Seat 1 incumbent legislator D. Scott Colbert did not receive a challenger. He will retain his seat on the legislature.

Incumbent Supreme Court Justice Barbara Anne Smith drew no challengers for Seat 2 on the Supreme Court. She will retain her seat on the Supreme Court.

Registered Chickasaw voters will vote by absentee ballots. Ballots will be mailed July 13 and returned to Chickasaw Election Commission no later than 10:30 a.m. on July 28. No hand delivered ballots will be accepted.

The Chickasaw Nation Election Commission shall conduct and supervise the ballot counting at the Chickasaw Community Center in Ada on July 28 beginning at 11 a.m. Results of the elections shall be announced the same day.

If necessary, a run-off election will be August 25.

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