GTB primary narrows field to 8

Starting from a field of 12 candidates running for Tribal Council positions, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) members in the six-county service area voted to narrow down the race to six people in Tuesday’s primary. In addition, the five candidates running for the tribal chairman office were narrowed down to two people.

The upcoming May 7 general election will determine which of the six candidates will fill the three open seats on the Tribal Council, as well as who will be elected as the new chairman. The current tribal chairman, David Arroyo, did not file for reelection this year.

Steve McClellan, chairman of the tribal election board, said on Tuesday that he expected the all-day primary to run smoothly.