Choctaw chief strikes out at leading opponent

Thursday, June 21, 2007  

Phillip Martin, the chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, is stepping up his re-election campaign after nearly losing the vote to Beasley Denson.

Martin is running for his eighth term in office. But last month, he lost to Denson by 37 votes, prompting a run-off to determine who will control the tribe.

Martin has never faced a run-off. This week, he mailed every Choctaw voter a letter that claims Denson is being funded by anti-casino groups.

Denson denied the charge, noting he is using his own money, along with donations from supporters, to run his campaign. "I'm going for broke, I guess," he told The Biloxi Sun-Herald.

Martin has faced scrutiny over his ties to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his proposal to build an off-reservation casino in the Gulf Coast. He claims opponents of the casino are donating to Denson.

Get the Story:
Chief Martin: Casino foes backing my opponent (The Biloxi Sun-Herald 6/21)
pw1

Relevant Links:
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians - http://www.choctaw.org

Related Stories:
Run-off set for Mississippi Choctaw chief (6/14)
Mississippi Choctaw chief trailing in early count (6/13)
Mississippi Choctaw voters headed to polls (6/12)
Mississippi Choctaw Chief Martin seeks 8th term (1/31)
Mississippi Choctaws open culinary arts school (10/12)
Abramoff lobbied White House on behalf of tribes (10/02)
Mississippi Choctaw funds helped Alabama governor (08/15)
Republican lawmaker falls to Abramoff scandal (08/08)
Tribal lobbying spending falls in wake of Abramoff (08/07)
Mississippi Choctaws kick off 57th annual fair (07/13)
Editorial: Investigate Choctaws and $13M in Alabama (07/03)
Mississippi Choctaws deny $13M spent in Alabama (06/30)
Mississippi Choctaws, MSU team up to offer classes (06/29)
Abramoff boasted of Choctaw's $13M in Alabama (06/28)
Choctaws used Ralph Reed to fight gaming efforts (6/26)
Abramoff won't lead to reforms from McCain's committee (6/23)
Choctaws were first to donate to 'Family' group (03/27)
Mississippi Choctaws reach out to high-tech industry (02/02)
Mississippi Band teams up with college to offer degree (5/10)
Mississippi Choctaws to hold technology conference (04/28)
Mississippi Choctaws enter into medical tech deal (03/17)
FEC ruling clears tribal political donations (3/14)
Mississippi Choctaws opening manufacturing plant (02/24)
Mississippi Choctaws launch advertising campaign (2/15)