E. O. Smith (Cherokee politician) explained

Office:	Cherokee Nation Tribal Council for the 5th district
Term Start:	2017
Predecessor:	David Thornton
Birth Date:	22 November 1950
Birth Place:	Eunice, New Mexico, U.S.
Citizenship:	Cherokee Nation American

E. O. Smith is an American and Cherokee politician who has served on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council since 2017.

Early life and career

E. O. Smith was born in Eunice, New Mexico, on November 22, 1950, to Olin and Hazel Smith. In 1952, the family moved to Vian, Oklahoma, where Smith graduated high school in 1969. He worked for the Cherokee Nation, of which he is a citizen, as a warehouse supervisor in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, from 2008 to 2016.^[1] In 2006, Smith was pulled over for a cracked windshield by Vian Police. Smith called his uncle, Vian City Councilor James Smith, and the pair were arrested after the elder Smith threatened the officer's job.^{[2] [3]} The district attorney declined to file charges against James Smith, but called his actions inappropriate.^[4]

Cherokee Tribal Council

In 2017, Smith ran for the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council 5th district to succeed David Thornton. He faced Uriah Grass and Dink Scott in the general election.^[5] During the election, Smith's son was arrested by the Vian Police Department.^[6] Smith served on the Vian City Council and shortly after the arrest both the arresting officer and police chief resigned, citing pressure from city officials.^{[7] [8]} He advanced to a runoff alongside Scott, and later won the election.^{[9] [10]} He won reelection in 2021, defeating challengers R. L. Bell and Richard W. Tyler.^[11]

In 2024, Smith ran a primary campaign for the Oklahoma House of Representatives' 2nd district against incumbent Jim Olsen.^[12] Olsen won the primary with 58% of the vote.^[13]

Notes and References

1. Web site: E. O. "JR." Smith . cherokee.legistar.com . . 8 October 2024.
2. News: Britschgi . Christian . Oklahoma Cop, Police Chief Forced Out For Arresting City Councilman's Son . 8 October 2024 . . 12 May 2017.
3. News: Keen . Monica . Vian's Police Chief Keeps Job . 8 October 2024 . Sequoyah County Times . March 1, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170517070738/http://www.sequoyahcountytimes.com/archives/article_cd7bd851-4253-54a0-bbe5-7c125eab478a.html . May 17, 2017.
4. News: DA Declines To File Charges Against Vian Council Member . 8 October 2024 . Sequoyah County Times . February 17, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170517070721/http://www.sequoyahcountytimes.com/archives/article_bff5d572-5004-53cc-b5c1-e0bf8fbea733.html . May 17, 2017.
5. News: Murphy . Jami . Election Commission verifies 33 candidates . 8 October 2024 . . 27 February 2017 . en.
6. News: Police officials resign after arresting city councilor's son . 8 October 2024 . . . 12 May 2017 . en.
7. News: Eger . Andrea . Vian police chief, officer resign over pushback from arrest of city councilor's son . 8 October 2024 . . 10 May 2017 . en.
8. News: Remer . Amie . Vian police chief and officer resign amid controversy . 8 October 2024 . Sequoyah County Times . May 12, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170517072129/http://www.sequoyahcountytimes.com/news/article_13855ae0-3720-11e7-b167-8f87dddcfe8a.html . May 17, 2017.
9. News: Boston . Stacie . Smith, Scott in Dist. 5 runoff . 8 October 2024 . . 4 June 2017 . en.
10. News: Henson . Kenlea . Smith wins Dist. 5 runoff election . 8 October 2024 . . 23 July 2017 . en.
11. News: Rowley . D. Sean . Smith handily wins re-election to Dist. 5 seat . 8 October 2024 . . 6 June 2021 . en.
12. News: Tres . Savage . Brinkman . Bennett . McNutt . Michael . Patterson . Matt . Key incumbent contests on Oklahoma’s 2024 primary Election Night . 8 October 2024 . NonDoc . 18 June 2024.
13. News: Brinkman . Bennett . Oklahoma Legislature primary election winners: 28 seats decided outright . 8 October 2024 . NonDoc . 19 June 2024.