Former Trustee Frederick C. Bess was victorious over incumbent Lance Gumbs Tuesday in a runoff election.
The men went head-to-head for the third seat on the Tribal Trustee Board after on April 5. It was the first runoff the Shinnecock Indian Nation has ever had since adopting the three-trustee system in 1792, according to a statement from the tribe.
This will be Bess' sixth one-year term. Randy King, the chairman of the trustees, was reelected April 5 for a sixth term and Gerrod Smith was elected for the first time. Incumbent Gordell Wright lost his bid for reelection.
Tuesday's vote took place at the Shinnecock Community Center on the reservation. Spokeswoman Beverly Jensen said tribe policy is not to release how many votes individuals garnered, only the names of who won.
