Tribal members heard the results of the 2025 Citizen Potawatomi Nation election at the General Council meeting during Family Reunion Festival at the end of June.

Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett was re-elected to another term, capturing 1,508 votes to the 375 votes cast for Charles Scott. A third candidate, Steve Castenada, was declared ineligible after it was found he hadn’t filed all of the necessary paperwork.

In District 1, Steve Livingston secured the legislative seat with 121 votes, while Anna Johnson had a total of 112 votes. Livingston was sworn in at General Council and began his term as District 1 legislator.

For District 3, none of the three candidates received more than 50% of the vote, which is necessary for the race to be decided. Brenda Trevino had a total of 64 votes, Judge Brian Walker had 55, and Jennifer Bertelsen had a total of 44. The two candidates with the highest number of votes, Walker and Trevino, will now go on to a runoff election.

District 2’s Eva Marie Carney won her race unopposed and will retain her office.

District 4’s Jon Boursaw also ran unopposed and will retain his office as well.

Voters decided in favor of the confirmation of Associate Justice Jane Braugh, with 1,773 in favor and 142 opposed.

The budget passed with 1,609 voting in favor and 136 opposed.

What happens next?

In-person voting for the District 3 runoff election will be from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the Legislative Conference Room at the CPN Administration Building, 1601 S. Gordon Cooper Dr., Shawnee, Oklahoma. Every eligible voter in the District 3 race will receive a letter with a ballot request and information explaining the voting process. A ballot request is also included on page 15 of this issue. Ballot requests must be postmarked by Aug. 6.

During General Council, Chairman Barrett also explained that District 5 Legislator Gene Lambert has chosen to retire from her position due to health reasons. Someone will be appointed to that seat to serve until the next election.

Look in future editions of the Hownikan for more information about the election
and for profiles on new legislators.