Cherokee Nation council candidate and winner Keith Austin. Photo from Facebook

A candidate for office on the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma who lost his race last month came out out on top in a new election on Saturday.

William “Bill” Pearson and Keith Austin faced off for the District 14 council seat in the general election last month. Pearson was certified the winner by just one vote and a recount put him ahead by six votes.

But the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court ordered a new election after hearing about challenged ballots that could have tipped the vote the other way.

"The court finds that due to this error that it is impossible to determine the correct election outcome with mathematical certainty," the July 13 decision stated.

The new vote paid off for Austin. According to the unofficial results, he defeated Pearson by a tally of 498 to 425.

"I’d like to thank the Cherokees of District 14 for allowing me the honor of being elected as your next tribal councilor," Austin said on Facebook. "I am humbled that you would place your faith and trust in me. This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly, and I will endeavor to represent you with the same energy and integrity that I have practiced throughout life."

Get the Story:
Tight Races Call For Cherokee Nation Tribal Council Election Run-Offs (The Fort Smith Times-Record 7/28)
Austin wins Dist. 14 Tribal Council seat (The Cherokee Phoenix 7/27)
Warner wins Dist. 6 seat (The Cherokee Phoenix 7/27)
Hatfield wins At-Large Tribal Council seat (The Cherokee Phoenix 7/27)

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Bill John Baker wins re-election as leader of Cherokee Nation (6/29)