The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians had a new miko*. Phyliss Anderson was elected chief on July 5th, and becomes the first woman to hold that position. Running on a platform to help the entire tribe and not just enrich the casino owners and their minions, she defeated incumbent chief Beasley Denson, 1,971 to 1,618.
But shortly afterward, events began to bear a striking resemblance to the 2000 presidential elections...and a (contrived?) dispute over ballots resulted in the winner of the popular vote being deposed by the second-place finisher.
The Tribal Council had to certify the vote submitted by the Tribal Election Commission, and that's when things became eerily similar to the aftermath of the 2000 Presidential election. No hanging chads, but with nearly the same outcome.
(*chief in Choctaw)
Phyliss Anderson was chief for two days. On Friday after the Tuesday election, after certifying absentee and dealing with contested ballots (apparently only two were contested) the Tribal Election Commission submitted the totals to the Tribal Council which went into closed session for the final certification. With one member absent from the Council, the vote to break the 8 to 8 deadlock on whether to keep or throw out the election results was cast by none other than outgoing chief Beasley Denson.
And the election results were thrown out. Ms. Anderson is no longer the incoming chief. Not exactly Bush v. Gore, but close, as Denson has the backing of the moneyed interests involved in the Choctaw casino industry, including a shadowy entity known as the "Atlanta Group".
"The decision made by select council members and Miko Beasley Denson today is disappointing," Anderson said in a statement Friday. "This is simply an attempt to steal our election. The Choctaw voters elected a new chief to lead our tribe and clean up the financial mess. The 'Atlanta group' that has controlled our money are trying to take our vote away."
Denson was elected in 2007 in an upset over Chief Philip Martin, who guided the tribe for 28 years, and was instrumental in the construction of the lucrative casinos on tribal land. Martin died in 2010.
Denson's campaign slogan at the time was "Chata First" (Chata = Choctaw) - an appeal to Choctaw roots, and after his election demanded to be known as "Miko" rather than "Chief". But in recent years, the line of demarcation between the "haves" and "have nots" became more defined, and Denson conveniently aligned himself with the haves.
Anderson, however, took a much more legitimate grass-roots approach. She ran on a platform of inclusiveness, and "healing the tribe", calling it "a win-win for everybody"...
"My goal is to reunite the tribe so that it benefits all," she said. "Unity does not happen overnight. It takes days, weeks, months. We will try to get tribal members to regain their trust with tribal government".
Those goals included a change in the management company for the casinos, which is most likely the reason for the Tribal Council's deadlock and subsequent election overturn, aided and abetted by Denson. Anderson has stated that transparency is necessary in casino management, and that members of the tribe should be able to know how casino and other tribal monies are spent. That position has put her at odds with Denson and the aforementioned "Atlanta Group", who would prefer that business continue as usual, no questions asked.
A new election will be held September 6th, in what will be a completely new campaign and not a run-off. Other candidates can re-enter, although at least one, Kevin Edwards, has stated he will not run again but will campaign for Anderson.
"This is pure politics. This is a way for Beasley to stay in there 90 more days because at the end of it all Choctaws united can defeat this man," said Edwards.
But Denson has the larger campaign money chest, and more where that came from.
Denson had the decided advantage in money. Many of his campaign billboards lined Mississippi 16, touting his leadership in providing jobs, housing and schools.
Anderson is confident that she will again prevail.
"Our people clearly stated they are ready for change and a new direction and if required, I am confident our tribal members will rise again and let their voices be heard at the polls," she said. "It's time to move past these elections and get our government back on track. We are not going to let them steal our vote."
Tribal member Helen Moore isn't looking forward to a replay.
I'm just tired," said tribal member Helen Moore. "I've gone through two of them (elections). The people have spoken. It should have stayed."
Others think there might be gender issues involved.
"When Beasley lost he didn't want no woman to beat him so he's starting all this," said tribal member Carlos Ben.
An official from Denson's campaign said Friday they have no comment on the election results.