Martin trailing rival

The Clarion-Ledger, 7/4/7

An absentee ballot count today could determine if Phillip Martin’s nearly three-decade reign as chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians continues or comes to an end.

With all eight Choctaw communities reporting Tuesday night, Martin trailed challenger Beasley Denson, a former Tribal Council member, in the runoff to the June 12 election, based on unofficial returns.