PORT ANGELES — The Lower Elwha Klallam tribe has a new leader — Frances G. Charles.
Charles was elected by eligible tribal members Wednesday to the one-year position, beating — by 11 votes — Dennis R. “Sully” Sullivan, who has served as the tribe’s chairman for the past three years.
She will chair the five-member tribal council starting June 7.
“I am overwhelmed and honored,” Charles said.
This is not the first time Charles, 44, has served as chairwoman. She held the post from 1994 to 1996.
Sullivan, 64, will continue to serve on the council.
Charles was also re-elected to a general three-year term on the council last week.
The tribal council, officially called the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Business Committee, is the tribe’s governing body and makes decisions on the tribal budget, land use policies and other issues.
All members of the council, which includes Charles, Sullivan, Rosi Francis, Verna Henderson and Phil Charles Jr., were eligible to become chair.
Frances Charles received 76 votes, Sullivan, 65; Phil Charles, 28; Francis, 9; and Henderson, 4.
The tribe has about 850 enrolled members. About 450 were eligible to vote.