Montana Sen. Shannon Augare (D). Photo Montana Legislature

An Indian lawmaker from the Blackfeet Nation of Montana said he won't seek re-election this year.

Sen. Shannon Augare (D) served one term in the Senate and two terms in the House. He also served on the tribal council.

“Every four years over the past several years, I have invited you to join me to share in my decision to seek election and re-election to public office,” Augare said in a statement, The Great Falls Tribune reported. “What is different about today, however, is not to announce the beginning of yet another campaign for the Montana Senate or the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, but rather to announce that after a decade of representing the people of Montana and the Blackfeet Nation, I will not be a candidate for re-election this year.”

The announcement came after Augare pleaded guilty in federal court and tribal court in connection with a drunken driving incident on the reservation. He was also part of a leadership dispute on the council that remains unresolved.

Get the Story:
Blackfeet leader, state Sen. Augare won't seek re-election after DUI (AP 1/6)
Augare says he will not run for office in 2014 (The Great Falls Tribune 1/7)

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