Newton, Dutchie win seats on Southern Ute council

IGNACIO, Colo. (AP) – An incumbent and newcomer have been elected to three-year terms on the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s governing council in a runoff election.

The runoff was required after none of the eight candidates for two open seats received a majority of the vote in the November election.

In the runoff Friday, incumbent Jimmy Newton Jr. and newcomer Joycelyn Dutchie received the most votes to defeat two other candidates.

Newton received 212 votes and Dutchie received 125. Incumbent Barbara Scott-Rarick received 121 votes, and Howard Richards Sr. received 108.

Six tribal members sit on the council and another serves as chairman.

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Information from: Durango Herald, http://www.durangoherald.com