Quechan Tribe awaits results of Monday’s elections
The Quechan Indian Tribe returned to the polls Monday to redo an election from last December, when members disputed results that would have included the return of former tribal president Mike Jackson Sr. to the seat he held for 16 years.
Jackson won the original election, besting the incumbent and current Tribal President Keeny Escalanti Sr. by 17 votes.
“Jackson was not sworn into office. The people had decided that the election didn’t comply with the necessary steps for an election to occur,” Escalanti explained to the Yuma Sun on Monday. “The people had a meeting ... and the election was thrown out.”
Escalanti said that in specific, tribal members in December took issue with decisions and actions involving the election board.
The results of Monday’s election, which was overseen by a newly appointed election board, were not known by press time Monday.
The new general election didn’t stop at choosing a new tribal president. The entire election was repeated, including selection of a vice president and five council members.
Jackson served four terms as tribal president for the Quechan Indian Tribe, beginning in 1995. He was unseated by Escalanti in 2011.
Jackson said Monday that he has heard a strong call from members who want him back at the helm.
“The tribe has taken steps backward in the time since I’ve been gone. The people want to me run again, and I have accepted that challenge,” Jackson said, adding that he has missed serving. “It is time to quit going fishing. I guess I can fish on weekends now – if I am elected.”
Escalanti told the Yuma Sun that he felt his people would vote to keep him in the office he currently fills.
“Yes, I’m pretty confident it will be that. I think it is because of my work ethic and all the changes that have come out for the tribe,” Escalanti said. “Again, everybody comes together. We have had different councils and all different phases trying to bring things to the reservation. It’s not just this administration. There have been others.”
Jackson declined to predict the outcome of the election, saying “that’s the decision of the people.” He did stress that the job of tribal president is more demanding than some people might think, involving management of two casinos and numerous other tribal business operations.
“You have to have a business mind to run that. That hasn’t happened lately. I will start taking steps immediately if I am re-elected. I’m going to be real busy,” the former tribal president said. “Everyone knows I’m a progressive guy. They saw it for 16 years when I served. Plus, we have our elders to take care of. That’s the reason I am running, to take care of my people.”
A sample ballot for Monday’s election hanging at the tribal administration’s office showed the following candidates:
• Office of the president (one chosen): Michael J. Jackson Sr. and Keeny Escalanti Sr.
• Office of vice president (one chosen): Sally Ann Decorse, Michael J.V. Jack and Emilio Escalanti.
• Office of the council member (five chosen): Ezequiel I. Aguilar, James A. Montague, Aaron W. Brown, Shawn N. Porter, Wayne W. Chaipos Jr., Virgil S. Smith, Juliana M. Comet, Deshane D. Taylor, Peggy L. Dugan, Deborah L. Tourtillott, Albert K. Golding, Cryselle L. Montague Uribe and Rosemary J. Jackovich.
Doing over a disputed major election is not a new experience for members of the Quechan Indian Tribe. For example, the results from the December 2012 election were upheld following allegations of misconduct by the tribe’s election board. Claims of fraud in the December 2006 election caused the entire vote to be thrown out, with a re-vote held the following June.