Richard G. Sneed(born December 20, 1967) is the 28th Principal Chief of theEastern Band of Cherokee Indians.[1]Sneed succeeded former Principal ChiefPatrick Lambertfollowing Lambert'simpeachment,only the second such impeachment since the 19th century.[2]
Richard Sneed | |
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Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians | |
In office May 26, 2017 – October 2, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Patrick Lambert |
Succeeded by | Michell Hicks |
Personal details | |
Born | December 20, 1967 |
Nationality | Eastern Band Cherokee,American |
Spouses | Trina Sneed (divorced)
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Parent(s) | Richard and Patricia Sneed |
Education | |
Occupation | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
Personal life
editRichard Sneed is a graduate ofCherokee High SchoolinCherokee, North Carolina.His family is from the Wolfetown Community of theQualla Boundary.Sneed is a veteran of theUnited States Marine Corps,and a graduate ofUniversal Technical InstituteinPhoenix,Arizona,andSouthwestern Community CollegeinSylva,North Carolina.He holds a North Carolina teaching license in industrial arts.
Sneed taught vocational classes at Cherokee High School where he was recognized as National Classroom Teacher of the Year by theNational Indian Education Association.Sneed has also served as the senior pastor of the Christ Fellowship Church of Cherokee. Sneed and his ex-wife Trina resided in the Birdtown Community of the Qualla Boundary where they raised their five children.[3][4]
Political career
editSneed began his services as an elected tribal leader for the tribe after winning election as principal vice-chief in September 2015 and assumed office in October 2015.[5]Formerly, Patrick Lambert was serving as the 27th Principal Chief but Sneed began service as principal chief on in May 2017 after his predecessor was impeached and removed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council.[6]In September 2017, Yellowhill Tribal Council member Alan B. Ensley assumed the principal vice-chief title left vacant after Sneed became Principal Chief.[7]Speaking toWLOSin 2017, Sneed most recently called for community "healing" following Lambert's removal.[8]Sneed was re-elected as Principal Chief in 2019 for a full-term, but lost reelection in 2023 to former ChiefMichell Hicks.[9]
Electoral history
editCandidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Richard (Richie) Sneed | 990 | 33.88% | |
Larry Blythe (Incumbent) | 847 | 28.99% | |
Dan McCoy | 652 | 22.31% | |
James (Bud) Smith | 433 | 14.82% |
Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Richard (Richie) Sneed | 2,191 | 59.06% | |
Larry Blythe (Incumbent) | 1,516 | 40.94% |
Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Teresa McCoy | 1,132 | 42.21% | |
Richard Sneed (Incumbent) | 1,117 | 41.65% | |
Carroll (Peanut) Crowe | 433 | 16.14% |
Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Richard Sneed (Incumbent) | 2,131 | 55.11% | |
Teresa McCoy | 1,736 | 44.89% |
Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Michell Hicks | 1,075 | 41.73% | |
Richard Sneed (Incumbent) | 548 | 21.27% | |
Robert Saunooke | 441 | 17.11 | |
Gary Ledford | 254 | 9.86 | |
Gene Crowe Jr. | 141 | 5.47 | |
Lori Taylor | 117 | 4.54 |
Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Michell Hicks | 2,254 | 65.03% | |
Richard Sneed (Incumbent) | 1,212 | 34.97% |
References
edit- ^"Government - Eastern Band of Cherokee".Eastern Band of Cherokee.RetrievedOctober 18,2017.
- ^"Tribal Council Removes Cherokee Chief From Office".U.S. News & World Report.RetrievedOctober 18,2017.
- ^"Vice Chief visits SCC, agrees to serve as mentor in new program".Cherokee One Feather.RetrievedNovember 8,2017.
- ^"Richard Sneed, Principal Chief, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Biography"(PDF).Congress.gov.RetrievedAugust 9,2021.
- ^"Lambert, Sneed take office".The Cherokee One Feather.RetrievedOctober 18,2017.
- ^"Tribal Council votes to impeach Cherokee chief".Citizen Times.RetrievedOctober 18,2017.
- ^Scott McKie (September 18, 2017)."Ensley chosen as Vice Chief".Cherokee One Feather.Retrieved2017-09-29.
- ^Hodge, Rex."New Cherokee chief calls for healing after impeachment of Patrick Lambert".WLOS.RetrievedOctober 18,2017.
- ^abKays, Holly (September 8, 2023)."Hicks wins fourth term as Cherokee chief".Smoky Mountain Times.Bryson City, NC.RetrievedSeptember 8,2023.
- ^"Unofficial 2015 EBCI Primary Election Results".Cherokee One Feather.June 5, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 10,2023.
- ^Kays, Holly (June 7, 2019)."Primary Election results return to Cherokee".Smoky Mountain Times.Bryson City, NC.RetrievedSeptember 10,2023.
- ^"Unofficial 2019 EBCI General Election Results".Cherokee One Feather.September 6, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 10,2023.
- ^"Unofficial results of the 2023 EBCI Primary Election".Cherokee One Feather.June 1, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 10,2023.