Members of the Southern Ute Tribe of Colorado will go to the polls on Thursday to elect a new leader.

The special election is needed because the prior chairman, Howard Richards, resigned abruptly in November. He had been the target of a recall petition on a reservation where people say politics is becoming more cutthroat.

The winner of the election will only serve about nine months left in Richards' term. Candidates include Clement Frost, 63, a longtime council who resigned in order to run; Pearl E. Casias, 61, who wants to be the first woman to lead the tribe; Kenny Frost, 50, a former actor with no formal political experience; and Levi Vigil Sr., 45, another newcomer.

Thanks to natural resource development and strong investments, the tribe is one of the wealthiest in the country. The late Leonard C. Burch, who died in August 2003, led the tribe to prosperity as its longtime chairman.

Get the Story:
Candidate says Southern Utes need a uniter (The Durango Herald 1/24)

Relevant Links:
Southern Ute Tribe - http://www.southern-ute.nsn.us

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Southern Ute Tribe elects two women to council (12/17)
Southern Ute Tribe fills one leadership position (12/13)
Southern Ute Tribe sees leadership shakeup (12/6)