4 candidates for chief of the Cherokee Nation

(Tahlequah-AP) -- Three people have filed to run against Cherokee Principal Chief Chad Smith, including the former chief Smith defeated. <br><br>Three candidates filing yesterday are Joe Byrd, L-S Fields

Thursday, February 13th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tahlequah-AP) -- Three people have filed to run against Cherokee Principal Chief Chad Smith, including the former chief Smith defeated.

Three candidates filing yesterday are Joe Byrd, L-S Fields and Robin Carter Mayes.

Smith defeated Byrd in a 1999 election for chief.

Fields works for the Cherokee Nation Housing Authority.

Mayes once started a group called The Cherokee Nation 1839 and sold unsanctioned tribal car tags. The federal government refused to recognize his organization as a tribe and a judge ordered the group to stop selling the car tags.

A primary election is May 24th.