Mille Lacs Band announces election results

ONAMIA -- The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe's primary election April 16 narrowed the field of candidates to the two top finishers in each race.

Incumbent Herb Weyaus and candidate Sheldon Boyd emerged as the final contenders for the secretary-treasurer position. Incumbent Harry Davis and candidate Diane Gibbs advanced in the race for District III representative.

A primary was not held for District II representative, because only two candidates -- incumbent Marvin Bruneau and candidate Thomas Benjamin -- are running for the position.

The regular election will be June 11.

Vote totals:

Secretary-treasurer race: Herb Weyaus, 175; Sheldon Boyd, 161; Peter Gahbow, 95; Douglas Sam, 68; Bagwahsung, 26; voids/blanks, six. There were 531 total votes cast.

District III race:

Harry Davis, 69; Diane Gibbs, 44; David Matrious, 29; voids/blanks, one. Total votes cast: 143.

The positions up for election are all part of the Band Assembly, which is the band's legislative branch. The Band Assembly consists of one representative from each of the reservation's three districts and the secretary-treasurer who presides over the assembly as its speaker.

Each representative is elected by people of his or her district to serve a four-year term, and the secretary-treasurer is elected by people of all three districts. Only enrolled band members are eligible to serve in these positions.