James, John win seats in Swinomish Tribal Senate election

After having survived last month’s primary by a single vote, Bruce James, Jr. emerged from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community general election on Saturday with a comfortable victory for a five-year Senate term outpolling Myrtle Rivas 167-124.

Rivas had led a three-candidate field with 97 votes in a low turnout bad weather day Jan. 20 primary election. James followed with 84. Three-term incumbent Brian Wilbur, had 83 votes and was eliminated by a lone ballot.

Prior to the primary, James told the Swinomish Qyuuqs publication that his “main goals are to work hard to represent the voices of our members, update our current enrollment policies and look for funding to provide additional help for our children and elders.” James has served on Swinomish committees addressing fisheries, housing and gaming.

In the other race, Rodney John unseated incumbent Eric Day by a 175-111 margin.

Those numbers reflected the trend set in the primary, during which John garnered 103 votes to 88 for Day. Third place candidate James Bobb received 69 votes.

John, who had narrowly missed advancing to the 2020 general election, ran on a robust campaign platform highlighting economic development, elder service, support for single parents and workforce opportunities.

“We have a great foundation,” John told Qyuuqs, “and need to continue to grow and improve what we have for a better quality of life for our community.”

The 11 member Senate is the governing body of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. The senators will be sworn in March 5.

Chairman Steve Edwards thanked all Tribal members who showed up to cast their vote. “We had a voter turnout of 42%,” Edwards said in a Tribe press release. He thanked “each of the candidates for their interest in serving and their hard work campaigning.” Edwards thanked outgoing Senators Brian Wilbur and Eric Day for their service to the Tribe.

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is a federally recognized Indian Tribe with more than 1,000 members. Swinomish is a legal successor to aboriginal bands that signed the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott. Its reservation is located 65 miles North of Seattle, Washington on Fidalgo Island.

Seats held by Alana Quintasket and Sophie Bailey are up for election in 2025.