NEW TOWN Campaign plans for the chairman's seat and three representatives' seats on the Three Affiliated Tribes business council are getting under way on the Fort Berthold Reservation. The four-year terms of the four people holding those offices will expire this year.

On Thursday, Marcus Levings, tribal chairman for the past four years, made his formal announcement in a news release issued from tribal headquarters west of New Town, that he is seeking a second four-year term. He also told The Associated Press the day before that he planned to seek re-election.

Levings was elected to the office in 2006 when he defeated two-term chairman Tex Hall. Before becoming chairman, Levings served for eight years as Four Bears Segment representative to the council.

Both Mervin Packineau, council representative for the Parshall-Lucky Mound Segment of the Fort Berthold Reservartion, and V. Judy Brugh, council representative for the Four Bears Segment west of New Town, told The Minot Daily News Thursday that they will run for their segment seats on the council.

Packineau will be seeking his third term and Brugh will be seeking her second term.

The other council seat expiring this year is for the Twin Buttes Segment now held by Barry Benson. He is in his first four-year term. Information was not available yet from Benson whether he plans to seek re-election.

Camilla Thorton-Gosnell said she also announced Thursday that she is running for the Four Bears Segment seat.

The tribes' primary election will be held in September and the general election in November. There are about 12,000 enrolled members and about 60 percent of them live off the reservation, said Vonnie Alberts, congressional/legislative officer for the Three Affiliated Tribes.