Gila River, San Carlos Tribes Hold Council Elections
Voters in two central Arizona tribal nations choose leaders in the November 3 general elections.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Native American
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The Gila River Indian Community and San Carlos Apache Tribe hold tribal council elections on November 3, 2026. In Gila River, incumbent Governor Stephen Roe Lewis faces former Lieutenant Governor Monica Antone.
Why it matters
The contests determine who leads the Gila River Indian Community, which has 21,300 members, and the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Leadership outcomes shape tribal governance for Arizona residents in both communities.
Gila River Indian Community has 21,300 members and Stephen Roe Lewis has served as governor since January 2015. The lieutenant governor post is open, with James de la Rosa and Amanda Mitchell among the contenders, and the outcome remains unknown until the general election.
The players
Stephen Roe Lewis
Lewis is the incumbent governor of the Gila River Indian Community, serving since January 2015 and seeking reelection.
Monica Antone
Antone is a former Gila River lieutenant governor challenging Lewis in the general election.
Terry Rambler
Rambler is the current chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe and a top vote-getter in the October primary.
The details
In the Gila River primary, Lewis defeated Regina Antone, leaving the lieutenant governor post open. In San Carlos, Terry Rambler and Ina Salter were the top vote-getters in the October 6 primary, and under tribal law, if three or fewer candidates qualify, they all compete in the general election.
Timeline
January 2015: Stephen Roe Lewis began serving as Gila River governor.
October 6, 2026: San Carlos tribal primary election held.
November 3, 2026: Gila River and San Carlos tribal council elections held.
Culture Shift
Under San Carlos tribal election law, when three or fewer candidates qualify, all of them advance to the general election, which narrows the field in the Tribe's governance contests. The November 3 elections apply that rule to both Gila River and San Carlos leadership races in central Arizona.
Arizona residents in the Gila River and San Carlos communities will see new tribal council leadership after the November 3 results are certified. Voters who live on these reservations directly determine who governs their community services and programs.
The takeaway
Tribal elections in Arizona can turn on narrow fields and specific election rules, so following each step from primary to general election helps explain the final outcome. Readers interested in these communities can track certified results through official tribal sources.
Further reading
For more on tribal governance and culture, explore our Native American coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZ Central.
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