page_title: Chad Smith (politician)
section_title: Controversy
hierarchical_section_title: Chad Smith (politician) / Controversy
caption_attribution_description: English: Photo of Cherokee Nation Principle Chief Chad "Corntassel" Smith.
context_page_description: Chadwick "Corntassel" Smith is a former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. He was first elected in 1999. Smith was re-elected to a second term as Chief in 2003 and a third term in June 2007 with 59% of the vote. He was defeated in his attempt to get elected to a fourth term in office by Bill John Baker 54% to 46% in the 2011 election and he lost again to Baker in 2015, receiving 28% of the vote. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, he worked as a lawyer for the tribe and in private practice.
context_section_description: Smith's administration is not without controversy. The Cherokee Nation admitted to hiring the lobbyist Jack Abramoff after the Smith administration vehemently denied it. Lewin, Sam. "Cherokee Nation denies working with Abramoff".
caption: Chad Smith, 2007
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