CASS LAKE, MN- The Leech Lake Tribal Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, January 26, 2026 to certify candidates for the 2026 Tribal Election. The meeting will begin at 5:00 PM and is being held at the Cedar Lakes Casino Event Center in Cass Lake, MN. This meeting will also be broadcast live at: https://vimeo.com/event/5674532
Candidates will be certified to run in upcoming election contests for the following positions on the Leech Lake Tribal Council: Secretary-Treasurer, District I Representative and District II Representative. Council members elected during this year’s election cycle will serve a four year term beginning in July of 2026 and ending June of 2030. The filing period for candidates opened January 9, 2026 and closed on January 20, 2026
For each position, if more than two candidates are certified to run they will appear on the Primary Election ballot and Leech Lake Band members will go to the polls on March 31, 2026 to decide who will advance to the General Election on June 9, 2026. If two or fewer candidates are certified to run for a position, no Primary Election will be held in that race and the candidate(s) will advance to the June 2026 General Election.
The meeting will also feature a lottery drawing to determine the order in which candidates will appear on the ballot, this will take place immediately following the candidate certifications. The meeting is open to the public, all candidates and interested band members are encouraged to attend.
List of Uncertified Candidates
District I
- Jim Howard
- Alex Rivera
- Jonathan White
- Tami Jackson
- Kyle Fairbanks
- Nashel’ Bebeau
District II
- Dave Chase
- Steve White
- Dante Hanson
Secretary/Treasurer
- Jarrell Jacobs
- Mike Reyes
- Tony Hare
- Archie LaRose
- Nicholas Staples
- Cecelia Meat
- Shelly Pemberton
- Sally Fineday
- Dave Hare
- Cindy Jackson Kingbird
Election Documents:
Election Board, Absentee Voting and Polling Place information will be posted by February 20th, 2026.
Important Upcoming Dates (2026)
- January 26- Candidate Certification Meeting (Cedar Lakes Casino)
- February 9- Deadline for Notice of Certifications to TEC
- February 12- Deadline for appointment of Election Boards.
- February 17- Deadline for Decision of certification or non-certification by Tribal Court of Appeals.
- February 20- Notice of Primary Election
- March 31- Primary Election (Polling places open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.)
- June 9- General Election (Polling places open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.)