Keith Austin is a Cherokee Nation and American politician who served on the Cherokee Nation tribal council representing the 14th District between 2015 and 2023.
Keith Austin | |
|---|---|
| Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor for the 14th district | |
| In office August 14, 2015 – August 14, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Lee Keener |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Easley Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Citizenship | Cherokee Nation United States |
| Political party | Republican |
Career
editAustin owns All Points Delivery. In May 2013, he was appointed to the editorial board of the Cherokee Phoenix on which he served until November 2014.[1][2]
Cherokee Nation tribal council
editIn 2015, Austin ran against William "Bill" Pearson for the 14th District of the Cherokee Nation tribal council seat in a race to succeed Lee Keener. Keener had retired to run for deputy chief.[3] In June, Pearson won the initial general election by one vote, leading Austin to file for a recount.[4] After the recount, both candidates vote totals decreased, and Pearson maintained a 6-vote lead.[5] In July, Austin appealed to the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court arguing "14 votes were cast and shouldn't have been, three were rejected that should have been accepted and two ballots were lost."[6] The court ruled for a new election to be held alongside the already scheduled runoff elections that month.[7] Austin won the new election with 53% of the vote.[8] He was sworn on August 14, 2015.[9] In 2019, Austin ran for re-election and faced former tribal councilor Cara Cowan Watts in the general election; he defeated Watts with 56% of the vote.[10] He was sworn in for his second term August 14, 2019.[11] In 2022, Austin was a Republican primary candidate for the 2nd District of the Oklahoma Senate.[12] He is term limited in 2023.[13]
Personal life
editAustin is a member of Verdigris United Methodist Church. He is married to his wife Pam and has two children.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "Austin confirmed to Phoenix editorial board". Cherokee Phoenix. May 23, 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Boston, Stacie (November 17, 2014). "Burris approved as Supreme Court justice". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Murphy, Jami (March 6, 2015). "36 candidates file for general election". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Murphy, Jami (June 30, 2015). "DEVELOPING: Austin files for Dist. 14 recount". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Murphy, Jami (July 3, 2015). "BREAKING: Pearson wins Dist. 14 recount by 6 votes". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Murphy, Jami (July 7, 2015). "UPDATE: Austin files appeal challenging Dist. 14 race". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ "New Dist. 14 election set for July 25". Cherokee Phoenix. July 11, 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Murphy, Jami (July 27, 2015). "UPDATE: Austin wins Dist. 14 Tribal Council seat". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Murphy, Jami (August 14, 2015). "Tribe's 2015-19 elected officials sworn into office". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Hunter, Chad (June 2, 2019). "UPDATED: Voters back Austin for another Dist. 14 term". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Hunter, Chad; Rowley, D. Sean (August 15, 2019). "Hoskin, Warner, 8 councilors sworn in at inauguration ceremony". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Brinkman, Bennett (May 31, 2022). "Senate District 2 GOP primary: Guns, abortion and 'godless commies'". NonDoc. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Hunter, Chad (February 9, 2023). "41 file for office in Cherokee Nation". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 27 May 2023.