Baker, Mitchell defeat St. Marks in primary for tribal chair

Chippewa Cree Business Committee members Harlan Gopher Baker and Beau Mitchell defeated incumbent Ken St. Marks and three other candidates in the primary election for Chippewa Cree Tribal Chair Tuesday, certified results from the tribe say.

Baker and Mitchell garnered 461 and 247 votes respectively, while St. Marks came in third with 179. Former Committee Chair Alvin Windy Boy came in fourth with 128. State Rep. Bruce Meyers, R-Box Elder and Thomas Roasting Stick Sr. rounded out the field, with 31 votes each.

Baker and Mitchell will face off in the November 8 general election.

The names of 43 candidates for Business Committee were also on the ballot. The eight who received the most votes will advance to the general election where they will compete for four seats on the committee.

Certified documents from the tribe say the eight winning candidates are: Ted E. Whitford, Teddy Russette III, Daryl Wright II, Joe Demontiney Jr., "Jazz" Raymond W. Parker, Luke Parisian, Lenore-Myers Nault and Russell Standing Rock.