Tunney Crowe, a candidate for principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, with Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California). Photo from Facebook

Three candidates are hoping to become the next leader of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.

Patrick Lambert and Gene “Tunney” Crowe emerged as the top two candidates for principal chief after a primary on June 4. Mary Crowe is running as a write-in for the position.

All three appeared at a debate last week that was hosted by The Cherokee One Feather, the tribe's newspaper, and the Junaluska Leadership Council, a youth group. They answered a wide range of questions, including term limits, freedom of the press and transparency within the tribal government.

Patrick Lambert, a candidate for principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Photo from Patrick Lambert

"I feel the most pressing issue is trusting our government and the structure of our government," Mary Crowe said The One Feather reported.

"My first action as principal chief would be to make sure that every employee of the tribe signs an ethical pledge," Gene Crowe said, The Smoky Mountain News reported.

"We’ve got a major debt problem," Lambert said, The One Feather reported. "We’ve got a major spending problem, and we’ve got a major drug problem.”

Mary Crowe, a candidate for principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Photo from Facebook

The general election will be held September 4. The winner will succeed Michell Hicks, who served three terms as chief but decided not to seek another one.

Get the Story:
Chief candidates square off: Debate gets candidates on record about issues (The Smoky Mountain News 8/12)
JLC, One Feather host Principal Chief candidate debate (The One Feather 8/10)

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Eastern Cherokee Chief Michell Hicks won't pursue a fourth term (04/01)