Chad Smith (politician)
Chad Smith | |
|---|---|
| Ugista | |
Smith in 2007 | |
| Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation | |
| In office 1999–2011 | |
| Preceded by | Joe Byrd |
| Succeeded by | Joe Crittenden (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 17, 1950 Pontiac, Michigan, U.S. |
| Spouse | Bobbie Scott |
| Education | University of Georgia (BS) University of Wisconsin, Madison (MPA) University of Tulsa (JD) University of Nevada, Las Vegas (MBA) |
| Website | Official website |
Chadwick "Corntassel" Smith (Cherokee name Ugista:ᎤᎩᏍᏔ derived from Cherokee word for "Corntassel", Utsitsata:ᎤᏥᏣᏔ; born December 17, 1950) is a Cherokee Nation politician and attorney who served as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. He was first elected in 1999. Smith was re-elected to a second term as Chief in 2003 and a third term in June 2007 with 59% of the vote. He was defeated in his attempt to get elected to a fourth term in office by Bill John Baker 54% to 46% in the 2011 election and he lost again to Baker in 2015, receiving 28% of the vote. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, he worked as a lawyer for the tribe and in private practice.