Huge Tribal Senate upset: Quintasket beats Cladoosby

The impact of a landslide election victory has had the effect of an earthquake on Swinomish Reservation, the aftershocks from which are likely to be felt for quite some time.

First-time candidate Alana Quintasket, 27, defeated incumbent Tribal Senate Chairman Brian Cladoosby 220-103 during balloting held in conjunction with the annual Swinomish General Council session on Sunday.

Cladoosby, the longest serving Senate Chairman in Swinomish history and recognized as a key regional and national Native American spokesman, was seeking his eighth five-year term on the 11-member Tribal governing panel...