PEMBROKE — The chairman of the Lumbee Tribe’s Election Board has resigned so she can seek a seat on the Tribal Council.
Sheila Beck tendered her resignation, effective Tuesday, so she can run for the District 9 seat, which currently is held by Anita Hammonds Blanks.
“I plan to file for the Tribal Council District 9 seat in the upcoming election,” Beck said.
Council members can serve no more than two consecutive three-year terms. Blanks is in her second term.
“I’ve been planning for this and thinking about it for a long time,” Beck said.
Beck served as Election Board chairman for five years. It is a full-time position that involves organizing and running tribal elections that are held every November.
“It’s not a paid position,” Beck said.
The same day Beck resigned, the Election Board named Sharee Strickland the new chairperson. Strickland was vice chair for three years before being given the leadership role.
“I’ve got some big shoes to fill,” Strickland said.
The next tribal election is scheduled for Nov. 13, Strickland said. Candidates can begin filing on Aug. 27. Filing ends at 5 p.m. on Sept. 7. Winning candidates will be sworn in in January.
The District 9 seat covers Saddletree. Beck said she has been a lifelong resident of that community.
She also has been actively involved in tribal government and cultural activities, Beck said. She will run for the District 9 seat so she can represent the people of Saddletree, to ensure they are represented well and to ensure their needs are met.
