AKWESASNE - Incumbent Tribal Chief Mark Garrow could face a challenge from four other candidates in next month’s tribal election.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council held its annual caucus Saturday morning, and five candidates - including Mr. Garrow - were nominated the chief’s post.

His potential challengers include Paul Thompson, Monica Jacobs, Gary Cole and Roger Thomas, according to a source who attended the caucus. The candidates are unofficial until certified by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council Board of Elections.

To actually make it onto the ballot in June, a candidate must pass a drug test and a criminal background check. Candidates have three business days after the caucus to take a drug test. If they do not take the test, they are automatically disqualified from being on the ballot.

The tribal Board of Elections will officially release its unofficial list of nominees a week after the caucus, with the official list of candidates passing the drug and background checksmade public a week after that.

The tribal election regulation states that if a candidate has a criminal record as a result of acts of civil disobedience they will not be disqualified.

Subchief Stacy Skidders and Tribal Clerk Corleen Jackson Jocco were also nominated for re-election to their posts. They both could face potential challenges.

Pam Brown, Eric Thompson and Sharon Thompson were also nominated for sub chief, the source said, and Cecil Garrow and Clarissa Terrance Chapman were nominated for tribal clerk.

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