Members of the Seneca Nation of New York will go to the polls on November 2 to choose a new president.

Robert Odawi Porter, 47, and Maurice A. John Sr., 62, are campaigning the post. Both have vowed to take a strong stance with the state and the federal government on tobacco taxation, gaming and sovereignty issues.

“Our nation has a history of struggle, a history of our land being taken away,” Porter told The Buffalo News. “But we’re not going away. We’re going to be here for 1,000 more years, and I want people to understand the role we’ve played in Western New York. Nobody else has created 5,000 job in the past few years like we have.”

John previously served as president and as treasurer for the tribe.

Get the Story:
As Senecas’ battles persist, Porter and John vie for role of top leader (The Buffalo News 10/25)

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