LEECH LAKE-Leech Lake's longtime secretary/treasurer Arthur "Archie" LaRose announced Friday that he is running for reelection.
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In a news release announcing his candidacy, LaRose wrote that he has made more than 1,000 home visits to Leech Lake band members, and that he has "many more" scheduled for March.
"I have always relied on face-to-face meetings with people in their homes to get my message across and hear their concerns," he said in the release. "I have enjoyed widespread support from our community throughout much of my political career."
LaRose has served on the Leech Lake Tribal Council in some capacity since 2002, including a stint as tribal chairman from 2008-2012 when he received more than half the vote in that year's primary election.
LaRose was certified to run for reelection Jan. 30, along with three opponents; Donald Finn, Steven Howard and Arlen Wakefield. Despite objections from two current council members and Finn, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe's Tribal Election Court of Appeals upheld the certification.
In his release, LaRose emphasized his intention to run a positive campaign.
"A responsibility of leadership is always to be a role model, so I always conduct myself in a professional and respectful manner," he wrote. "When the mudslinging starts, I remain respectful and continue on the positive path just as my elders have taught me to do."
LaRose, who declined to comment beyond the release, wrote that he wants to build community, take care of people in need and strengthen ties within the community.
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"I know we all want better lives for our people and better lives for our children and families," he wrote, adding that having children makes a person want to fight against poverty and injustice. "I took on the goal of fighting and improving the lives of our people and conditions on the reservation to heart early in life," the release said.
The primary election is scheduled for April 3.
