Edmo, Thompson & Washakie voted to FHBC; Shay & Broncho win LUPC seats
From left, Gaylen Edmo, Donna Thompson, Claudia Washakie, Darrell Shay and Patrick Broncho.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Gaylen Edmo, Donna Thompson and Claudia Washakie received the most votes for the Fort Hall Business Council in the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes General Election while Darrell Shay and Patrick Broncho were elected Land Use Policy Commissioners.
All three FHBC incumbents were defeated.
FHBC votes: Gaylen Edmo 438 votes; Donna Thompson 336 votes; Claudia Washakie 323 votes; Devon Dwayne Boyer 297 votes; Marlene Skunkcap 208 votes and Elma J. Thompson 187 votes.
LUPC votes: Darrell Shay 232 votes; Patrick Broncho 220 votes; Adam Boyd Hill 169 votes; Polly Ann Hevewah 130 votes; Lorrie Ann Galloway 116 votes; Gary Lee Yokoyama 89 votes; Wilma P. Teton 81 votes; Nancy Eschief Murillo 76 votes; Terry Joy Racehorse 73 votes; Mary Christine Washakie 70 votes.
A total of 721 ballots were cast or 55% of the eligible registered voters. However some votes were not counted because of too many votes on LUPC, failed to sign the ballot or the ballot was ripped. Those the Election Board valid were hand counted.
Gaylen Edmo said at the election returns it meant a lot to him to go out to the districts and talk to the people to hear their support prior to coming here. “It was nerve wracking although a lot of them showed support at the districts. It means a lot to me to be the top vote getter,” he said. “I just want everyone to understand that I’m going to come from this the best way I possibly can. I’m going to work as hard as I can, learn as much as I can and use the foundation and knowledge I do have to make decisions with our people and in the best interests of our tribe.” “I just want to say thank you everybody that supported me – it means a hell of a lot, I look forward to hitting the ground running.”
Claudia Washakie gave a thank you to the Election Board and the staff — you did a heck of a lot in a short amount of time. “I thank you for the work you put in every single election season,” she said. “I want to congratulate the other winners, the outgoing council members — we’ve been campaigning for a few months – it’s interesting to hear the issues going on and as a tribal member you’re not privy to that information.” “Like Gaylen said I hope to be an avenue for our membership to collectively start working together and bringing ourselves to a point to where we are being trusted by our membership to do what’s right,” she continued. “Thanks to the Land Use candidates who were on the campaign trail with us. It’s been interesting to hear the land use issues so congratulations to the land use candidates that proceeded through the general election. Thank you for your support. For all of you who cast votes thank you for coming out.”
Donna Thompson said it’s kind of humbling. “I want to thank everyone that came out and voted. Like Claudia said we want to do the best that we can, we have some healing we got to do in our community- we’ve had a couple of years of COVID — we need to get back on track.” “I want to say thank you to everybody to those that won and those that didn’t great job and congratulations to everybody.”
Marlene Skunkcap thanked everyone who supported her as it’s really been a tough time. “A lot of things happened with the council. I congratulate Gaylen, Claudia — Claudia’s worked every year trying to get on the council and she finally made it. It pays to stick with it, campaign hard.” She said Donna has lot of experience too so I wish you the best of luck. Marlene said one thing about being on the council, your life it isn’t yours anymore. “I would like to thank the Creator for giving me this opportunity, allowing me to serve this last time. It was a decision for me because I’m getting older, I thought I really need to take care of myself so God had a plan for me.” She said it would give her time to rest and recover because it’s been really difficult. “I just appreciate everybody and the Land Use Commission. There’s been times we’ve had to make tough decisions but it’s the people’s choice,” she continued. “I’d like to thank the Election Board, I’ve watched them — they are really busy. They have a big job to do. I know they get a lot of criticism just like the council and the land use. I ask you all to support your council, pray for them, it is hard job and also Land Use. Thank you.”
Elma Thompson said she’d like to thank everybody – the Election Board and congratulations to the new winners and I wish them luck. “It’s a hard job like Marlene said. It’s a tough road right now with all the new things that are happening as far as the Covid stuff — there’s a lot of issues that have come up this past year,” she said. “We did what we could and what we thought was best.” She said she prayed every day and she prayed for our membership. “I wish them good luck. Thanks everybody for coming out and voting for your candidates. Thanks for voting me in and it was a wild ride.”
LUPC top vote getter Darrell Shay said, “I want to thank all who voted for me. I will do my best serve you.” “I also want to congratulate Pat Broncho, a newcomer to tribal politics and hope to work with him. Together, along with Laurie Kniffin, we should have a good commission to serve the membership. Thanks again.”
LUPC candidate Lorrie Galloway said the campaign was interesting and it was a first for her. It’s not her last as she’s going to try again next year. With the new commission that was just elected I see positive forward moving events for our tribe so I’m really excited to be able to see that. “See you next year,” she said.
