Horn declared winner in Fort Belknap council tied race

An originally tied vote in a Fort Belknap Indian Community Council election has led to the incumbent conceding the race to his challenger.

Incumbent River Assiniboine District Representative Nathaniel Mount during a special session of the council Tuesday conceded the race to his challenger, Daniel Horn.

The race was declared tied 171-171 in an unofficial election result released about the Nov. 5 election.

When four recounts using the official ballot-counting machine came up with different results each time, the Fort Belknap Indian Community Election Committee turned the election over to the council.

The council averaged the results for an official count, with the average giving the advantage to Horn, 171-170.

In Tuesday’s meeting, Mount presented a letter to the council announcing his concession rather than challenging the results.

A press release said that council voted to accept his concession and to return the matter to the election committee for certification of the official results.

The other races in the tribal election were certified last week and Brandi King, Mike Fox, Judith King, Jeffery Stiffarm, Dominic Messerly, Lynn Cliff Jr. and Warren Morin were inaugurated into office last Thursday.

Incumbent Brandi King defeated challenger John Allen for the seat of Assiniboine At-Large Representative.

Mike Fox defeated Wes Kill Eagle in the face for the open Gros Ventre At-Large Representative seat. Incumbent Phillip Shortman did not run for re-election.

Incumbent Jeffery J. Stiffarm Sr. defeated challenger Lorraine Brockie in the race for the Gros Ventre At-Large Representative.

Judith King defeated incumbent Curtis Horn in the race for Assiniboine At-Large Representative.

Incumbent Dominic Messerly defeated challenger Arlene Cochran in the race for River Gros Ventre District Representative seat.

Incumbent Lynn Cliff Jr. defeated challenger Warren Bell in the race for Mountain Assiniboine District representative.

Incumbent Warren D. Morin defeated challenger Geno Levaldo in the race for Mountain Gros Ventre District Representative.