Chuck Hoskin Jr. elected Cherokee Nation’s principal chief

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) — Unofficial election results show that the Cherokee Nation’s former secretary of state, Chuck Hoskin Jr., has been elected to be the principal chief of the nation’s biggest tribe, winning almost 58% of the vote.

Cherokee Nation spokeswoman Julie Hubbard says the results of Saturday’s election aren’t expected to change much as the remaining challenge ballots are processed.

Principal Chief candidate Dick Lay received 27% of the vote, while a third candidate, David Walkingstick, was disqualified prior to the election for campaign finance law violations.

Hoskin’s running mate, Bryan Warner, was elected Deputy Principal Chief, winning 59% of the vote.

Candidates in three tribal council seat elections did not receive the minimum 50% threshold, so the top two candidates in each race will proceed to a run-off election on July 27.

Nearly 13,500 citizens voted in the election.