In a special election Friday in Towaoc, Ute Mountain Ute voters elected Lyndreth Wall to serve on the Tribal Council.

According to unofficial results, Wall garnered 76 votes, the highest out of the four candidates. Final results are pending a three-day challenge period.

Wall’s nearest opponent was Mark Wing, who had 73 votes. Kathryn Cuthair brought in 54 votes and Colleen Cuthair-Root, 37 votes. Two ballots were invalid.

Wall will serve the remaining nine months of former Tribal Council member DeAnne House’s term. The seat will be up for election again in October. House gave up her seat in an unsuccessful bid for tribal chairman in 2019.

Manuel Heart won the election for tribal chairman.

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council includes Chairman Heart, Selwyn Whiteskunk, Alston Turtle, Archie House Jr., Darwin Whiteman Jr., Malcom Lehi representing White Mesa, and Wall.

To help inform tribal members and the wider community about the tribe, Heart hosts the “Monday Announcements” video broadcast on the Weenuche Smoke Signals Facebook page every week. Other Tribal Council members and tribe officials also deliver video updates.

“I’m glad to do these so people on and off the reservation are aware of things going on in the tribe, and to have a communication process in place,” Heart said.

The announcements provide updates on tribal government decisions and plans, meetings, programs, events, services, elections, education, economic development, employment, recreation, cultural events, and more.

jmimiaga@the-journal.com