Election recount planned after narrow victory in Leech Lake Tribe race for chair

CASS LAKE – An election recount for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is planned Tuesday.

The recount begins at 3 p.m. at the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe officers in Cass Lake. The recount, which is open to the public, will take place in conference room 1.

Last week, Carri Jones was certified as the winner as Leech Lake Tribal Council chair. She garnered 1,335 votes in Tuesday’s election, narrowing topping incumbent Arthur “Archie” LaRose, who collected 1,330 votes.

Jones, 32, became the first woman – and the youngest person – to be certified as chair for the tribe.

In the District 3 committeeman race, LeRoy Staples-Fairbanks III defeated incumbent Eugene “Ribs” Whitebird.