Tribal Election Primary Results
Sheldon Boyd will serve second term as Secretary/Treasurer; Wendy Merrill to become new District II Representative
The Mille Lacs Band’s primary election on April 5 determined Sheldon Boyd as the winner in the Secretary/Treasurer contest having received 56.29% of the votes from a field of three candidates. Wendy Merrill was elected District II Representative, having received 51.09% of the votes from a field of five candidates. The race for District III Representative will take place in the Band's general election on June 14, 2022.
Vote totals — Secretary/Treasurer
In accordance with Minnesota Chippewa Tribe election law, any candidate who receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary election is declared the winner. No general election will be held in this contest.
Wanetta Jo Thompson — 63 at 11.01%
Carolyn Marie Beaulieu — 187 at 32.69%
Sheldon Ray Boyd (incumbent) — 322 at 56.29%
Total — 572
Vote totals — District II Representative
District II includes Band member communities in Minisinaakwaang (East Lake), Sandy Lake, Minnewawa, and Chiminising (Isle). No general election will be held in this contest.
Wendy Megan Merrill — 70 at 51.09%
Thomas Lee Benjamin Sr. — 20 at 14.60%
Iyawbance Laprairie-Mushkoob — 6 at 4.38%
Daryl John Aubid — 4 at 2.92%
Michael Robert Aubid — 37 at 27.01%
Vote totals — 137
District III Representative
District III includes the Aazhoomog (Lake Lena) community near the St. Croix River east of Hinckley, as well as the Meshakwaad community in Hinckley.
There are only two candidates running for the position of District III Representative; therefore, there was no need for a primary. The two candidates will face off in the general election to be held on June 14, 2022. The two candidates are Wally St. John (incumbent) and Harry Davis (challenger).
The three positions up for election are part of the Mille Lacs Band Assembly, which is the Band’s legislative branch. The Band Assembly consists of one Representative from each of the Reservation’s three districts and the Secretary/Treasurer, who presides over the Band Assembly as Speaker. Enrolled Band members at least 18 years of age are eligible to vote for, and serve in these positions.
The Mille Lacs Band general election will be held on June 14, 2022