The future president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is being considered in Oglala Lakota County where there are nearly 8 thousand registered voters.
Kevin Killer is challenging Incumbent President Julian Bear Runner. Killer says if elected he wants to bring transparency to the Pine Ridge Reservation. He says he also wants to build trust and relationships with local, state and national leaders.
“I think working from the concept of my campaign slogan which is revolutionized sovereignty and, you know, understanding that, you know, and that we're in the 21st century and we need to be proactive and how we, uh, this assert our own sovereignty, you know, at all levels, you know, whether it's at the state level, the federal level, the local level within our own tribe, you know, and even all the we approach, um, you know, these kinds of issues from the 21st century. And I think that's something that, you know, will be taken on a case by case basis, but also at the same time, um, always from the frame of mind that, you know, we're, at the end of the day, we're going to try to protect our community, but also be proactive about finding solutions that will benefit our future generations.”
Current President Julian Bear Runner is the youngest president to be elected but his presidency has been plagued with controversy. He was charged with driving drunk and verbally assaulting another person. He was suspended by the Tribal Council after they couldn’t get ahold him when Bear Runner issued a 72-hour lockdown due to the Coronavirus. Bear Runner is also accused of inappropriate behavior with a teen.