Challengers top field in Cherokee primary
The field was narrowed from five to two yesterday in the race for principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
When votes were tallied following the July 7 primary election, incumbent Michell Hicks and Patrick Lambert, Hicks’ challenger in the 2007 election, emerged as the top vote-getters. They will now compete for the top seat in September’s general election.
In the race for vice chief, incumbent Larry Blythe and current tribal council member Teresa McCoy will move on to the next round. That matchup is also a repeat of the 2007 race.
In both contests, the incumbent garnered fewer overall votes than the challenger.
Races for the 12 tribal council seats were also trimmed to four candidates. The general election on Sept. 1 will elect a principal chief, vice chief, two tribal council members from each of the six communities, as well as school board members.
Related Items
Happy Holly Days
Lumbees double down against EBCI: Incoming governor faces tough political decision amid federal recognition fight
Maggie Valley responds to former chief's lawsuit
Jason Bonham returns to Harrah’s
Birdtown
Michell Hicks: 313
Patrick Lambert: 418
Juanita Wilson: 64
Gary Ledford: 30
Missy Crowe: 10
Carroll “Peanut” Crowe: 146
Joey Owle: 58
Larry Blythe: 312
Teresa McCoy: 313
Yellowhill
Michell Hicks: 167
Patrick Lambert: 156
Juanita Wilson: 44
Gary Ledford: 13
Missy Crowe: 14
Carroll “Peanut” Crowe: 75
Joey Owle: 21
Larry Blythe: 128
Teresa McCoy: 172
Painttown
Michell Hicks: 227
Patrick Lambert: 213
Juanita Wilson: 34
Gary Ledford: 15
Missy Crowe: 7
Carroll “Peanut” Crowe: 91
Joey Owle: 23
Larry Blythe: 189
Teresa McCoy: 189
Big Y/Wolftown
Michell Hicks: 311
Patrick Lambert: 348
Juanita Wilson: 73
Gary Ledford: 39
Missy Crowe: 12
Carroll “Peanut” Crowe: 227
Joey Owle: 31
Larry Blythe: 229
Teresa McCoy: 300
Big Cove
Michell Hicks: 119
Patrick Lambert: 194
Juanita Wilson: 26
Gary Ledford: 31
Missy Crowe: 4
Carroll “Peanut” Crowe: 86
Joey Owle: 24
Larry Blythe: 72
Teresa McCoy: 189
Snowbird/Cherokee County
Michell Hicks: 227
Patrick Lambert: 248
Juanita Wilson: 10
Gary Ledford: 11
Missy Crowe: 3
Carroll “Peanut” Crowe: 48
Joey Owle: 38
Larry Blythe: 240
Teresa McCoy: 163
Total – Principal Chief
Michell Hicks: 1,378
Patrick Lambert: 1,598
Juanita Wilson: 255
Gary Ledford: 140
Missy Crowe: 51
Total – Vice Chief
Carroll “Peanut” Crowe: 683
Joey Owle: 197
Larry Blythe: 1,188
Teresa McCoy: 1,337
