From left, Devon Dwayne Boyer, Marlene Skunkcap, Elma Thompson and Darrell Shay.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Devon Dwayne Boyer, Marlene Skunkcap, Elma J. Thompson and Darrell Shay were the top vote getters in the June 26 Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Primary Election redo.
They now advance to the August 28 General Election to face off against incumbents Kevin Callahan and Edison Darrell Dixey.
Boyer received the most votes with 258; Skunkcap 257 votes; Thompson 232 votes; Shay 169 votes; Nancy Eschief-Murillo 145 votes; Wesley Edmo and Sherwin Racehorse 134 votes each; Marina Fasthorse 120 votes; Helena Rose Hall 77 votes and Luke Eagle 62 votes.
Three of the four winning candidates were in attendance at the June 26 election returns.
Skunkcap thanked all the voters who came out to vote and noted that everybody cares. She said it was kind of a different election but “we made it,” as she congratulated Darrell Shay, Elma J. Thompson and Devon Boyer. She said it’s been really a challenge as it’s the second primary – it started out good as she went to two district meetings, not a lot of people turned out but the ones that did expressed their concerns. Marlene thanked the Election Board as they’ve been drilled and drilled but survived. She also thanked the candidates who joined the primary, “It’s tough decision to make – no one is guaranteed to win.” The general election is coming up and she doesn’t know what’s going to happen. Since the coronavirus interrupted campaigning she utilized social media Facebook and was surprised she got a lot of friend requests — they gave ideas on what needs to be changed in the tribal government. “We want a better government for our people,” she continued. “I want to encourage you all to really consider who you want to select, this is the time.” She encouraged people to get out and vote and vote for the candidate of their choice.
Thompson said a thank you to all the voters that came out again, all the Election Board for all our hard work, “You guys hung in there with us,” noting it’s kind of a weird time to run – her first run and it’s been a “doozy.” “Here I am again and I hope that you continue to support me and the rest of the candidates coming in looking for changes, we can do our best to get the ideas and issues out,” she continued. She will try to address the concerns and be the voter’s voice, “Get out and vote to make sure you’re exercising your tribal rights – there’s a lot of issues out there and a ton of things that need to be addressed.” Thompson said the membership is talking about changes but all they can do is work but depending on the constituency to support them all the way through. “It’s not just go vote — go and vote and continue to support your candidates all the way through,” she continued. “Good job everybody and congratulations to the candidates.”
Darrell Shay thanked all the people who voted for him. It’s a bad time for the tribe, he said and we’re learning lessons as we go through this crisis and it’s probably a bad time to get on the council. He foresees a financial crisis, along with the health crisis, “We’ve had all the issues we had to deal with before this coronavirus has just added on to it.” He said it’s a dangerous virus and can’t take it lightly, we can do it if we follow the rules. He also believes the elections need to be more important to the tribe. “I want to commend all those people who took a chance, came out and voted for the candidate of their choice – it’s showing everybody wants change, I don’t know how much we will get but the membership has to be included on everything,” he continued saying he learned that in all of the years he’s been involved in tribal government. “If anything, that is what I will be pushing for is more community involvement in the big decisions we have. He thanked the Election Board for the work they did as they got a lot of criticism. He believes the mail in voting can be done down the road as long as it is done right. He also thanked the candidates for putting out their best effort noting the new thing Facebook is getting a lot of traction. There wasn’t a live candidate forum except for the one in March before the shutdown but he is “old school,” and would rather do in person. He encouraged people to be safe, wear your masks, wash hands and sanitize, along with watch out for other people who may not be taking the coronavirus seriously.