By CHRISTINA GOOD VOICE
Multimedia Editor

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Three donors to Bill John Baker’s campaign for principal chief are now employed by the Cherokee Nation, according to a list of new employees hired since Oct. 20 and campaign contributions reports. 

Some employees were hired as new employees, while others were hired with signed employment agreements. 

In an emailed statement, Baker said he chose the employees based on their experience, not which campaign they donated to.

“When selecting my staff and nominees, I didn’t go through donor lists for ideas. I want the best people serving the Cherokee Nation, regardless of whose campaign they financially supported,” he wrote.

Billy B. Dougherty was hired as a special projects officer in the executive branch. Records show he donated $500 to Baker’s campaign on May 26. Chuck Hoskin Sr. was hired as Baker’s chief of staff and has a group leader employment agreement. He donated $97 on June 16 and $500 on May 1.

Marsha Lamb was hired as the group leader of Human Services via a group leader employment agreement. She donated $500 on June 10, $30 on Aug. 5 and $100 on Sept. 1. 

Although those four people donated to Baker’s campaign, 25 other people who were on the new hires list did not donate to his campaign. Those hires included group leaders in Human Resources and Government Relations, people for medical jobs, teachers and people for Communications and Community Relations.

Along with the three hires who donated to his campaign, Baker nominated seven donors to tribal positions, boards and commissions.

The Tribal Council in December confirmed Baker’s nominee for treasurer, Lacey Horn, who donated $50 on June 11 and $500 in Aug. 16. Treasurer is a constitutionally mandated position.

Also, four of Baker’s 10 nominations to the Cherokee Nation Businesses board of directors donated to his campaign. 

Brent Taylor donated $2,500 on Dec. 30, 2010; Bob Berry donated $5,000 on July 27; Tommye Sue Wright donated $5,000 on Jan. 25, 2010; and Michael Watkins donated $200 on Sept. 1.

The Tribal Council approved 13 CN citizens to various boards and commissions at its Jan. 16 meeting, with only two of those donating to the Baker campaign. 

Angela Jones and her husband jointly donated $2,000 to Baker’s campaign on May 12. She was confirmed as a board member of the Administrative Appeals Board. John Garrett, who was confirmed as a member of the Gaming Commission, donated $1,000 on April 9.

christina-goodvoice@cherokee.org
918-207-3825