OKMULGEE, Okla. (AP) — Unofficial election results show that Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizens have elected a new second chief in a special election.
The tribal election board says the results of Saturday's runoff indicate Louis Hicks defeated former principal chief A.D. Ellis.
Hicks received 65 percent of the vote with 2,010 votes, while Ellis garnered 1,070 votes. The results will not be official until after the election is certified by the board on Friday.
The 64-year-old Hicks will serve the remainder of the term of former second chief Roger Barnett, who pleaded guilty in October to federal embezzlement charges. Another election for a full term is set in November.
Hicks has said his goal is to be open-minded with Muscogee (Creek) citizens. A swearing-in ceremony is to be announced after the election is certified.