MEET THE CANDIDATES
SHAWNEE TRIBE ELECTIONS 2025
In the spirit of transparency and offering comprehensive election information to tribal citizens, the Shawnee Tribe Communications Department initiated the annual Meet the Candidates series in 2021.
For more information about the Election Committee, election guidelines, and voter information, visit shawnee-nsn.gov/elections.
About Melinda Kimball (Seat 6 Candidate)
Hometown: Lenapah, OK
Current City: Lenapah, OK
Occupation: Transportation Cherokee Nation WRHC
I am proud to be a citizen of the Shawnee Tribe and a member of the Raccoon Clan. I had the great honor of receiving my name from Victoria Dottery, and I carry forward the legacy of my great-grandmother, Martha A. Long Shufelt Story, on my father’s side. On my mother’s side, I am also Cherokee.
I am married and blessed with five children and three bonus children. I currently serve the Cherokee Nation as a van driver at the Nowata Will Rogers Health Center, ensuring our citizens get to their appointments safely and on time. My career background includes three years as a mobile security officer at a local refinery and 18 years at Walmart, where I served ten of those years as a department manager.
I never imagined running for council in our Shawnee Tribe—but here I am, ready to serve.
In 1-2 sentences, please explain your reason(s) for seeking election.
I am excited for our tribe, and I want to be part of the leadership to that make good decisions for all of us that keeps our tribe moving forward and being its best!
If elected, what personal qualities will you bring to the Business Council?
My greatest strength is listening with compassion and working hard for others. I want to be a strong, hands-on steward for our people and help shape the future of our tribe by identifying our needs through collaboration with fellow citizens.
If elected, what issues affecting Shawnee citizens do you intend to prioritize the most?
We have come a long way—from Indian tacos and bingo games—to building a more empowered future. I believe we are on the path to reclaiming what was once ours, and I am excited to be a part of that journey.
If elected, I commit to:
- Being accessible, dependable, and engaged in tribal events and decisions.
- Honoring our elders—ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met.
- Advocating for alcohol and narcotic prevention and recovery programs for all ages.
- Supporting children’s mental health initiatives—because they are our future, our next generation, our next council.
Please consider giving me your vote. It would be an honor to serve you and help carry our Shawnee Nation forward.
If a citizen has further questions for you, what is the best way for them to contact you?
About Malachi Sears (Seat 6 Candidate)
Hometown: Welch, OK
Current City: Miami, OK
Occupation: Self-Employed
Hato, caaki wiyeefa (Hello, everyone).
My name is Malachi Sears, and I am currently seeking election for seat 6 of the Shawnee Tribe Business Council. I am the son of Mike and Jeannie Sears, grandson of Lowell and Sue Sears, and great grandson of Eben and Elvina Brown. I am a 2010 graduate of Welch High School and received my associate’s degree from NEO A&M College in Miami, OK in 2012. For the last 8 years, I served as Operations Manager at a national broadline food distribution company stationed in Vinita, OK. I am a lifelong resident of Northeastern Oklahoma, and my family and I have been participating members of our Shawnee Tribe ceremonial grounds in White Oak, OK for generations. I enjoy attending our tribal functions and teaching our Shawnee language classes. I take great pride in serving our tribe and our community with gratitude and dedication.
In 1-2 sentences, please explain your reason(s) for seeking election.
I am seeking election to the Business Council because I am deeply committed to supporting the growth, sustainability, and prosperity of our tribe and all of its citizens.
If elected, what personal qualities will you bring to the Business Council?
If elected, I will continue to work diligently for the Shawnee Tribe and all of its citizens. As a candidate for the Business Council, I bring a track record of honesty, leadership, a strong work ethic, a commitment to service, and effective management skills. I lead by example, fostering collaboration and making informed decisions that drive progress. I am passionate about serving others, whether it’s supporting fellow tribal members or advancing the broader mission of the Shawnee Tribe as a whole. Preserving our language, culture, history, ceremonies, and serving our people to the best of my abilities is of the utmost importance to me. With more than a decade of business and management experience and being a lifelong member and advocate of our tribe, community, and ceremonial grounds, I hope to continue serving our people as a member of our Shawnee Tribe Business Council. My goal is to work collaboratively, ensure that every voice is heard, and advocate for policies that benefit our people both now and for generations to come.
If elected, what issues affecting Shawnee citizens do you intend to prioritize the most?
I am a strong advocate of supporting the citizens of our tribe and preserving our culture and traditions. We must take care of our elders as they have spent their lives taking care of us. We must also ensure that the basic needs of all Shawnee citizens are being heard and met. I intend to focus on creating opportunities for our elders, families, and children to all thrive both personally and professionally. I will advocate strongly for policies and programs emphasizing housing assistance, access to healthcare, quality education, and career opportunities for all tribal citizens and their families. I intend to make sound, informed decisions that ensure the prosperity and sustainability of our Tribe and improve the quality of life for all Shawnee tribal members. Secondly, I believe cultural preservation is a priority that must be taken seriously. Our language, culture, history and ceremonies are a vital part of who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. We must honor and respect our past as we look towards our bright future.
If a citizen has further questions for you, what is the best way for them to contact you?
The best way to reach me is via email at malachisears@gmail.com
Niyaawe! (Thank you!)
About Marty Coombes (Seat 6 Candidate)
Hometown: Vinita, OK
Current City: Vinita, OK
Occupation: Retired from Public Schools
I’m 66 years old. I retired from the public school system. My fiancee Shawna and I have been together for 10 years. I help take care of my mother Roberta Coombes. My past time is BBQ and smoking meat. I have 3 smokers and hope to enter a few Smoking competitions next season. I also enjoy fishing, playing golf and growing vegetables in my garden.
In 1-2 sentences, please explain your reason(s) for seeking election.
I’m seeking election to be involved more in the tribe. Looking to help with issues involving our children and elders. Also to help with issues affecting the tribe.
If elected, what personal qualities will you bring to the Business Council?
I understand how to understand budgets and cost control from a business aspect. I ran my own landscape business and help control cost and maintenance on athletic fields and building expense.
If elected, what issues affecting Shawnee citizens do you intend to prioritize the most?
Issues affecting the elders and children of the tribe. Also issues that affect all members of the tribe as a whole.
If a citizen has further questions for you, what is the best way for them to contact you?
About Sonya Baldridge Spires (Seat 6 Candidate)
Hometown: Vinita, OK
Current City: Tulsa, OK
Occupation: Legal Assistant
I was born and raised in Vinita, OK. I graduated from Vinita High School in 1985. I attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO. I moved to Houston, TX in 1989 and resided there until last year. I am currently working remotely for a law firm out of Refugio, Texas. I have been employed with my current employer since 1996 and have been his Legal Assistant since 2006. My duties also include Office Manager/HR. I am the mother of one and grandmother to two beautiful grandchildren.
In 1-2 sentences, please explain your reason(s) for seeking election.
To contribute in any way that I can to help our tribal business council succeed in their mission for the Shawnee people.
To help uphold the continuation and growth of the Shawnee people along with our traditional values.
If elected, what personal qualities will you bring to the Business Council?
I have the distinct ability to bring people together. I am compassionate and always willing to lend a helping hand. I am a problem solver and a believer in transparency and collaboration.
If elected, what issues affecting Shawnee citizens do you intend to prioritize the most?
To help ensure the growth of all tribal citizens so that they will have the opportunity to thrive.
Which in turn will help secure a better future for generations to come.
Ex. Continuing to build on the programs that are already in place.
If a citizen has further questions for you, what is the best way for them to contact you?
About Jana Edwards-Johnson (Seat 6 Candidate)
Hometown: Miami, OK
Current City: Miami, OK
Occupation: Director of Health & Social Services
Hato (Hello),
As a child, my mother, sister, and I would go with my grandparents, Gilbert and Cornelia Sparkman, to White Oak for various functions.
Whether for a social gathering or a business council meeting. Any time we were there, the buzz of conversations, laughter, and delicious food made it feel like a family reunion.
Grandpa gave us a love for gardening and fishing on Hudson Creek. My grandmother taught us to hunt for wild onions and morel mushrooms. Having the privilege of growing up on their farm, as we lovingly called it, taught me to respect our land and the food it provided.
Those experiences have enabled me, as the Director of Health and Social Services, Vital Statistics, and Tribal Tags for the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, to provide vital services that support the well-being of the tribal community with compassion and respect.
In 1-2 sentences, please explain your reason(s) for seeking election.
To ensure that all citizens are well-informed and receive clear, accurate, and transparent information.
If elected, what personal qualities will you bring to the Business Council?
My experiences in special education have helped me foster an understanding of the diverse needs of people. Committed to being a voice of integrity for all Shawnee citizens. I will utilize my skills and current professional experiences in policy development, advocacy, leadership, and mediation to support the tribe’s continued success.
If elected, what issues affecting Shawnee citizens do you intend to prioritize the most?
Enhance tribal program development, with a focus on health, education, welfare, and food security. Develop new businesses, support citizen-owned companies, foster innovative enterprises, and continue to develop our historical tribal database by collecting oral and written histories from the Elders and their families.
If a citizen has further questions for you, what is the best way for them to contact you?
I look forward to visiting with you.
You can reach me at 918-605-9711 or johnsonje226@gmail.com.
Niyaawe (Thank you),
Jana, Holly-Ma-Peashe
UNOPPOSED CANDIDATE
BALDRIDGE
INCUMBENT SECOND CHIEF
Unopposed candidates have been deemed elected and will not appear on the ballot.
COOMBES
INCUMBENT BUSINESS COUNCIL SEAT 5
Unopposed candidates have been deemed elected and will not appear on the ballot.