Incumbents re-elected to Swinomish Senate

The Swinomish Senate leader-ship remains unchanged after two senators were re-elected by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community on Feb. 26. at the tribe’s annual general election.

Winners Steve Edwards and Leon John, had terms that expired this year. Edwards was challenged by Eric Day for his Senate Seat 6, and John ran unopposed for Seat 7.

Eligible to vote in the general election are all voting-age tribal members — ages 21 and older — as outlined in the Swinomish Tribal Code.

“There were 184 official ballots cast,” Wendy Otto, an election officer from the Office of Tribal Attorney, said. For Seat 6, Edwards received 118 votes and Day 65 — there was one “no-vote” ballot, she said, and for Seat 7, John received 147 ballots and 37 “no-vote” ballots cast.

All voting-age members gather to discuss tribal matters at the Swinomish’s General Council yearly meeting, held on the fourth Sunday of February. The General Election fell on the same date this year, Otto said.

The 11-member Swinomish Senate is the tribe’s governing body, and elected officials each serve five-year terms. The senate consists of the chairman, vice chair, secretary, treasurer and seven senators.

The names and term expiration dates of each member are available on the tribe’s website and candidate statements were published in the January edition of “qyuuqs,” the Swinomish’s official publication.