TAHLEQAH, Okla. – The race for principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma – scheduled for June 25 – has voters deciding between two candidates: Incumbent chief Chad Smith and tribal councilor Bill John Baker.

For voters within the Cherokee Nation, located in Northeastern Oklahoma, looking for a change in leadership, Baker, 59, could be the stand out candidate.

Baker has been an advocate of the Cherokee people for years on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council. He initially introduced the bill that would raise the minimum wage within the Cherokee Nation. Baker also proposed to increase scholarship dollars for the tribe’s college students from $1,000 to $2,000. However, those amounts were eventually revised and scholarship amounts are based on a student’s Pell Grant award.

Overall, Baker proposes the tribe examine how it handles its gaming revenue. Specifically, the tribe should look at the 70 percent of revenue that the gaming enterprise keeps.

“Maybe we need to look at having a minimal amount of services to our people,” Baker said. “And if the casinos don’t generate that much money maybe we need to change the percentage.”

Meanwhile, Smith, who is completing his third four-year term as chief, is focused on three main issues: economic development and job creation for the Cherokee people, revitalization of the Cherokee culture and development of stronger Cherokee communities.

Baker and Smith, 60, have butted heads numerous times in recent years. In fact, Baker said he decided to run for chief following a disagreement two years ago over the way Smith’s administration was practicing government. Baker said the chief was not practicing good government by surrounding himself with councilors that would do what he asked.

Baker has collected support from a group of his fellow councilors.

“What [the Cherokee Nation] needs is leadership that has good business sense and good people sense,” said councilor Chuck Hoskin.

Councilor Tina Glory Jordan also agreed.

“[Baker] is the only candidate that has the compassion coupled with the business mind to take over the [Cherokee Nation],” Glory Jordan said.