Mississippi Choctaws vote again for chief after results invalidated


Phyllis J. Anderson. Photo from Facebook

Phyllis Anderson was sworn into office for a second term as chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians last month only to see her victory overturned by the tribal council.

Anderson, who is the first woman to lead the tribe, defeated Beasley Denson, a former chief, in the June 30 election. The results weren't close but the council decided to call another vote anyway.

"Over 3,600 ballots were ignored in overturning this election," Anderson told The Jackson Clarion-Ledger.


Beasley Denson. Photo from Facebook

Anderson remains confident that she will emerge victorious. In 2011, she defeated Denson twice after the council ordered a new election.

Denson served one term as chief before Anderson ousted him that year.

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Choctaw chief rivals battle again (The Jackson Clarion-Ledger 8/25)

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