Mescalero primary set for Oct. 3
Tribal voters will be electing a new president
- Crowded field running for council seats
The positions of Mescalero Apache tribal president, vice president and four seats on the tribal council are up for election in November. The outcome will see a new president leading the tribe, because incumbent Danny Breuninger is not seeking reelection.
The list of candidates running in the primary Oct. 3 include three competing for the top job, three for the vice president's position and 24 for the council seats. The terms are for two years. Two candidates each with the highest number of votes in the primary will be selected for the Nov. 7 races for president and vice president, and eight for the council.
Candidates for president are former president Mark Chino, Dennis W. Pilcher Jr. and Arthur L. Blazer.
For vice president, incumbent Gabe Aguilar is running for another term against Peter D. Kazhe and Freddie Kaydahzinne.
The candidates for council seats are Emmett Botella, Danny D. Morgan, Alfred G. LaPaz, Christie LaPaz Jr., Ezra J. Chino, Tammy R. Torres, Jeremy Comanche, Pamela Elizabeth Cordova, Adam B. Stevens, Cindy J. Valdez, Frederick Chino Sr., Glenda Brusuelas, Bernalyn "Gina" Via, Fernando R. Rocha Sr., Sandra Platero, Hazel Spottedbird, Philbert Smith, Vincent Hubbard Sr., Clyde David Jr., Caroline Valdez, Christopher Little, Kenny Blazer, Helen Klinekole and Rachel Tissnolthtos.
The Mescalero reservation borders the village of Ruidoso.