James Ramos, the chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, announced his campaign for supervisor in San Bernardino County, California.

Ramos is running for the county's 3rd district seat. He wants to replace Neil Derry on the board of supervisors.

"The people of San Bernardino County have been let down time and time again," Ramos said in a statement. "Public faith in our institutions and elected officials is crucial in our democracy.

Ramos, 44, has led his tribe since 2008. He serves on the San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees and the California State Board of Education.

But Derry claims that Ramos, as the leader of a federally recognized tribe, can't hold county office. "An elected official cannot serve two masters," Derry said in a statement, The Contra Costa Times reported.

Get the Story:
Supervisor Neil Derry gets opponent in San Manuel leader (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 5/10)
Tribal Chief James Ramos Run for San Bernardino County Supervisor Ignites War of Words (The Patch 5/10)
Derry attacks Ramos (The Contra Costa Times 5/10)

Related Stories:
San Manuel Band chairman named to California Board of Education (1/6)
San Manuel chairman wins election to college's board of trustees (11/04)