Cherokee Nation principal chief candidate David Walkingstick speaks at a benefit dinner, held in Eucha, Oklahoma, on May 24, 2019, to raise money and bring supplies to victims of tornadoes in the state. Campaign photo

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A 'stolen' election? Cherokee Nation proceeds to vote without candidate David Walkingstick

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Citizens of the Cherokee Nation are choosing a new leader on Saturday but one of the leading candidates won't be on the ballot.

In a decision issued Wednesday morning, the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court upheld the disqualification of David Walkingstick. By a vote of 4-0, the justices concluded that Walkingstick violated tribal law by soliciting and accepting donations from corporate entities.

Walkingstick accepted the outcome but blamed the administration of outgoing Chief Bill John Baker for derailing his campaign. He said Saturday's vote will be a "stolen" election.

"Please join me at the polls on June 1st to elect an independent council and let's fight to ensure that corruption fails to steal this election," Walkingstick said in a post on social media.

Walkingstick urged supporters to vote for Dick Lay, a fellow council member, instead of Chuck Hoskin Jr.. As Secretary of State for the Cherokee Nation, Hoskin is part of Chief Baker's administration.

Walkingstick also continues to support Meredith Frailey, the speaker of the Cherokee Nation Council, for deputy chief. The other candidate is Bryan Warner, who also serves on the tribal council and is allied with Hoskin.

"No one is above the law, and the rule of law is at the foundation of our democracy," Hoskin said in a statement after the decision. "As we have from day one, our campaign will continue to focus on the issues that matter most to Cherokee families – reducing patient wait times at Cherokee Health, protecting and preserving our culture and language, and moving our Nation forward with greater opportunities for every Cherokee.

The Cherokee Nation Supreme Court case is In Re: the Protest of Chelsea Huber to Disqualify David Walkingstick as a candidate for Principal Chief. Oral arguments took place last Friday.