Knight-Frank holds one-vote edge

Knight-Frank holds one-vote edge

October 16, 2001

By Jim Mimiaga
Journal Staff Writer

A one-vote difference between two candidates running for Ute Mountain tribal chair has triggered a recount process, officials reported Monday.

Unofficial tallies showed that challenger and former chair Judy Knight-Frank won by a razor-thin margin of one vote over incumbent chair Ernest House, according to Norman Lopez, editor of the Weenuche Smoke Signals, the tribal newspaper. Of the more than 500 votes cast, House earned 238 votes while Knight-Frank brought in 239 votes.

Challenger Art Cuthair, who resigned his council seat to run for chair, received 30 votes.

"It was just neck-and-neck as the count went on," said Lopez, who broadcast the tally live as it changed on public television. "It’s a little tense around here."

The close race prompted the election committee to conduct a recount of the ballots cast for chair, according to Ute publicist Lynn Hartman. The process will be witnessed and monitored by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, but results were not expected until today.

"We’re all just waiting for the official results," Hartman said. "It was very, very close and showed that your vote does count."

Three vacant seats for tribal council were also decided during the election, with one newcomer, Harold Cuthair, ousting an incumbent, Carl Knight, on the council.

Cuthair, a blackjack dealer at the Ute Mountain casino, earned 119 votes, beating out Knight by a narrow margin. Knight’s tally was not available, but sources say it was "close, in the hundreds."

Incumbents Selwyn Whiteskunk and Eddie Dutchie Jr. were re-elected to three-year terms, bringing in 217 and 40 votes respectively. Dutchie Jr. represents White Mesa, a small Ute reservation community in southeast Utah. His closest challenger was Elayne Cantsee, who earned 28 votes.

White Mesa voters may have swayed the election into Knight-Frank’s favor, community members speculated.

"She has a lot of support and family from there," said one Ute woman who would not identify herself.

"House had a growing lead, then they brought in the White Mesa (ballot) box," Lopez recalled, adding that "there was a lot of interest in the election. Candidates campaigned by radio and hosted community dinners."

The election for chair increased voter participation, Lopez said. Approximately 40 percent of the estimated 1,200 eligible voters cast ballots.

"I voted, but nothing ever changes the way I would like to see it," commented tribal member Monica Peabody.

"We need more activities and programs for our children like a playground. There are a lot of young mothers who need that for their kids, but when will they listen to us? Maybe I’ll run next time."

Another anonymous voter said she feared favoritism played too big a role in the tribe’s governmental process.

"I thought House was doing an OK job, so I voted for him this time," she said. "But I worry that my vote will hurt me if Knight-Frank wins."

A special election will be held soon for Art Cuthair’s vacant council seat. Cuthair is expected to run again.