Tule River Tribal Council election impending
The Tule River Tribe elections will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19 in the Brafford Room at the Tule River Tribal Office.
Twenty-four candidates are vying for the seats of incumbent council members Heather Teran, Duane M. Garfield Sr., Kevin Bonds, Michele McDarment and Rhoda Hunter. All are running for re-election.
Council members who will remain in office are Neil Peyron, James “Nacho” Diaz, Amy L. McDarment and Aaron Franco Sr.
The five candidates who garner the most votes will fill the vacant seats and serve two-year terms.
After ballots are counted, the nine-member council will call its first meeting to order and appoint a new chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer.
On Friday, Jan. 18, prior to election day, candidates will have an opportunity to make their pitches at a community forum to take place at 6 p.m. inside the Tule River gymnasium.
The Tule River Elders Council and the Tule River Indian Health Advisory Board elections will also take place on Jan. 19.
There are three seats and two alternate seats to be filled on the Elders Council, and 10 candidates running for the three vacancies.
The three receiving the highest number of votes will fill the vacant seats. The candidates receiving the fourth and fifth highest number of votes will fill the alternates vacancies.
Additionally, there are three vacant seats and two alternate seats on the Indian Health Advisory Board. Eleven candidates are running for the three vacancies.
Those receiving the highest number of votes will fill the vacant seats. The two candidates receiving the next highest number of votes will fill the alternates vacancies.
Following are the 24 candidates running for five vacant seats on the Tule River Tribal Council:
Barbara Baga
Kevin Bonds
Willie J. Carrillo Sr.
Mandy Dabney
Warren Ensign
Betsey Foote
Brook D. Franco
Johnny R. Franco
Mike Franco Sr.
Alec Garfield
Duane M. Garfield Sr.
Joseph Garfield
Melanie Garfield
Ryan Garfield
Yolanda L. Gibson
Rhoda M. Hunter
Kenneth C. McDarment
Michele McDarment
Nancy McDarment
Joe Boy David Perez
Melanie Santos
Heather Teran
Vernon Vera
Gilbert Williams
