Some incumbents trail in tribal primary

Tribal members went to the polls Saturday in the primary election to determine who will run in the general election June 24.

Six positions will be open this year, two that currently do not have incumbents. The vote totals are from the poll voting. Absentee ballots will be counted later this week.

In the Nespelem District, incumbents in both Position 1 and 2 are trailing.

In Nespelem Position 1, incumbent Ricky Gabriel collected 47 votes, with challenger Rodney Cawston getting 52. Others filing for Position 1, and their vote totals, were: Amelia (Moses) Marchand, 21; Anna M. Vargas, 30; Brian Quill, 12; and Cory R. Christman, 18.

In the Nespelem Position 2 race, incumbent Andrew Joseph Jr., who had 43 votes, trailed challenger Winfred “Winnie” Pakootas, who had 45. Others seeking Position 2 were Charlene Bearcub, 38; Harvey Moses Jr., 16; Jon Batten, 19; Mary D. Blue Eyes, 1; and Vance Cleveland, 18.

In Keller District Position 1, incumbent Jack W. Ferguson, with 39 votes, had a substantial lead over John F. Stensgar, who had 6; Robert W. “Pokey” Tonasket with 6; and Toni Seylor with 13.

In Inchelium District Position 1, where there is no incumbent, Joel Boyd received the top vote count with 82. Others in the race were Allen Hammond, with 20; Doug Seymour, with 22; and Tobias Finley, with 28.

In Inchelium District Position 2, challenger Marvin Kheel received 54 votes to incumbent Elizabeth “Susie” Allen’s 47. Others running were Ben Edward Marchand Sr., 15 votes; and Tig-Julie Phelps with 37.

In Omak District Position 1, incumbent Richard C. Tonasket trailed three challengers; Tonasket had 27 votes. Others running and their vote count were Norma J. Sanchez, 95; Kim Belgarde, 52; Sonny Sellars, 26; Bass Williams, 25; Preston Lee Boyd, 24; and Karen Condon, 18.

In Omak District’s Position 2 race, with no incumbent, Russell W. Boyd got the highest vote with 60. Others vying for that spot were Anne “Muffin” Marchand, 29; Bernard “Berny” Zacherle, 23; Larry D. Smith, 31; Melissa Louis, 49; Richard Lee Allen, 25; Shirley K. Charley, 25; and William J. Marchand, 23.

Absentee ballots for the primary will be counted this Thursday, with the general election, June 24.