By Tony Choate, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office

Chickasaw Nation Election Secretary Rita Loder announced today the candidates seeking four legislative seats and one judicial seat within the Chickasaw Nation.

The filing period closed Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 4:30 p.m.

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.

Pickens District Seat 4 incumbent Wanda Blackwood Tippit Scott of Elmore City will face challenger Shana Tate Hammond of Ardmore for the seat.

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, 2009 and returned to Chickasaw Election Commission no later than 10:30 a.m. on July 28, 2009.  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, 2009, 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 Ms. Loder at (580) 310-6475. 

Candidates filing are as follows:
 
Legislature:
Pontotoc District
Seat 2                   Nancy Elliott (Ada)
Seat 2                   Todd Griffith (Newcastle)
Seat 2                    Sandra “Renee” Gibson (Ada)
Seat 2                    Leon D. Brown (Ada)
 
Pontotoc District
Seat 1                    Holly M. Easterling (Incumbent) (Ada)
Seat 1                    Pattie Howell (Ada)
 
Pickens District
Seat 4                    Wanda Blackwood Tippit Scott (Incumbent) (Elmore City)
Seat 4                    Shana Tate Hammond (Ardmore)
 
Pickens District
Seat 1                    David Woerz (Incumbent) Ardmore)
Seat 1                    Leslie Larsen Hicks (Ardmore)
Seat 1                    Mike Watson (Ardmore)
 
Tishomingo District
Seat 1                    D. Scott Colbert (Incumbent) (Sulphur)
 
Supreme Court:
Seat 2                    Barbara Anne Smith (Incumbent) (Newcastle)