Wes Nofire

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Wes Nofire

|image =

|office = Oklahoma Native American Affairs Liaison

|governor = Kevin Stitt

|term_start = September 5, 2023

|term_end =

|predecessor = Chris Benge

|successor =

|office2 = Member of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council
from the 3rd district

|term_start2 = August 14, 2019

|term_end2 = August 14, 2023

|predecessor2 = David Walkingstick

|successor2 = Lisa Hall

|birth_name = John Wesley Nofire

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|4|30}}

|birth_place = Tahlequah, Oklahoma, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|nationality = Cherokee Nation
United States

|party = Republican

|nickname = "The Cherokee Warrior"{{cite web |last=Chavez |first=Will |title=Cherokee Boxer Adds Fight Promoter to Repertoire |url=https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/news/cherokee-boxer-adds-fight-promoter-to-repertoire/article_c1061695-271c-5a98-bf63-ff68a5e3212a.html |access-date=2022-08-09 |work=Cherokee Phoenix |date=10 June 2013 |language=en}}

}}

John Wesley "Wes" Nofire (born April 30, 1986) is a Cherokee Nation and American politician and a former heavyweight professional boxer who has served as the Oklahoma Native American Affairs Liaison since 2023. During his boxing career Nofire fought under the name "The Cherokee Warrior". Nofire served on the Cherokee Nation tribal council between 2019 and 2023. He was a Republican candidate in the 2022 primary election for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district and candidate in the 2023 Cherokee Nation principal chief election.

Early life

John Wesley Nofire was born on April 30, 1986, at W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on the Cherokee Nation Reservation to Sherman and Annette Nofire.{{Cite web |title=John Wesley Nofire Boxing Record |url=http://fightnights.com/boxer-3957 |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=fightnights.com}}{{Cite web |title=Nofire seeks District 3 seat on Tribal Council |url=https://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/news/local_news/nofire-seeks-district-3-seat-on-tribal-council/article_81d5f02a-6d06-5eb9-99a7-7c7d8fc566f7.html |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=Tahlequah Daily Press |date=8 December 2018 |language=en}}

Nofire grew up in the Welling area, and attended High school at Sequoyah High School in Tahlequah. Sequoyah High School is an all Native American High School operated by the Cherokee Nation and is funded by Bureau of Indian Education.{{Cite web |title=Cherokee Nation Education Services |url=https://www.cherokee.org/all-services/education-services/sequoyah-schools/sequoyah-high-school/ |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=Cherokee Nation Education Services |language=en-US}} Nofire was on the 2004 State Champion Basketball team for Sequoyah.{{Cite web |last=Carlson |first=Jenni |title=Pride of the People Thousands are united behind Sequoyah |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2004/03/10/pride-of-the-peoplebrthousands-are-united-behind-sequoyah/61999401007/ |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}}

Boxing career

Nofire, began boxing in 2007 as a way to stay physically fit. As an amateur, Nofire was named Oklahoma State Champion in the Super Heavyweight Division and went on to participate in the 2010 National Golden Gloves boxing tournament as the Kansas-Oklahoma regional representative.{{Cite web |title=2010 National Golden Gloves Results |url=https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Boxing/Features/2010/May/05/2010-National-Golden-Gloves-Results |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515171214/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Boxing/Features/2010/May/05/2010-National-Golden-Gloves-Results |archive-date=May 15, 2016 |url-status=dead |website=Team USA |date=5 May 2010}}{{Cite web |title=Iron Mike Productions Presents Live Boxing – Featuring Wes Nofire (Cherokee Nation)|url=http://www.ndnsports.com/iron-mike-productions-presents-live-boxing-featuring-wes-nofire-cherokee-nation/ |access-date=2022-04-24 |date= 16 October 2014|language=en-US}}

In 2011, Nofire moved to Miami, Florida, where he met John David Jackson, a former two-time world champion. Jackson liked the natural speed and ability that Nofire brought to e encourage him to get in the ring.{{Cite news |title=Cherokee boxer punching his way up |url=https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/news/cherokee-boxer-punching-his-way-up/article_663ec164-9430-5e3b-b985-9211c592aa63.html |access-date=2022-04-23 |language=en |work=Cherokee Phoenix |date=2 April 2013}} Nofire made his heavyweight debut on August 26, 2011, at The Joint's Xtreme Fight Night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.{{Cite news |first=Mark |last=Dreadfulwater |title=Cherokee citizen wins professional boxing debut |url=https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/sports/cherokee-citizen-wins-professional-boxing-debut/video_6c31ff67-8354-5730-988f-cbd1eba7b275.html |access-date=2022-04-23 |work=Cherokee Phoenix |language=en |date=12 September 2011}} Nofire challenged MMA Fighter Marc Webb. Nofire knocked out Webb with an uppercut to the chin 1 minute and 22 seconds into the first round of the match.{{Cite news |first=Mark |last=Dreadfulwater |title=Cherokee citizen wins professional boxing debut |url=https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/sports/cherokee-citizen-wins-professional-boxing-debut/article_8a80b3e6-20a5-5608-99e9-d7d6de884822.html |access-date=2022-04-23 |language=en |work=Cherokee Phoenix |date=12 September 2011}} In his second career match up Nofire would defeat David Fuller in under 41 seconds {{Cite news |first=Mark |last=Dreadfulwater Digital Media |title=CN citizen wins 2nd pro boxing bout |url=https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/sports/cn-citizen-wins-2nd-pro-boxing-bout/article_ca946df9-c72d-5795-a44b-50a95719068f.html |access-date=2022-04-23 |language=en |work=Cherokee Phoenix |date=28 November 2011}}

= Nofire Entertainment =

In 2013, Nofire began Nofire Entertainment Corporation, a fight promoting entertainment company.{{Cite web |title=corpInformation |url=https://www.sos.ok.gov/(S(hfi1b155qdirny45spxepd45))/corp/corpInformation.aspx?id=1912401304 |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=www.sos.ok.gov}}{{Cite news |last=Chavez |first=Will |title=Cherokee boxer adds fight promoter to repertoire |url=https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/news/cherokee-boxer-adds-fight-promoter-to-repertoire/article_c1061695-271c-5a98-bf63-ff68a5e3212a.html |access-date=2022-04-24 |work=Cherokee Phoenix|language=en |date= 10 June 2013}} Nofire Entertainment's first event was the "Cherokee Fight Club" in 2013, a ten fight event hosted at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.{{Cite news |last=BAILEY |first=ERIC |title=Cherokee boxer Wes Nofire aims to remain undefeated at Hard Rock event |url=https://tulsaworld.com/archive/cherokee-boxer-wes-nofire-aims-to-remain-undefeated-at-hard-rock-event/article_b1fbd8bc-475f-51ce-bf1d-dd996e1f6459.html |access-date=2022-04-24 |work=Tulsa World |language=en |date=19 July 2013}}

= Retirement from boxing =

Nofire's last career fight was against Gerald Washington. Their match was on a Sunday edition of PBC on Fox Sports 1 on June 10, 2018. 32 year old Nofire (20–1, 16 KOs) entered the matching with his only loss came to veteran journeyman Joey Abell in 2016.{{Cite web |last=Random Hits |title=Kauffman-Alexander Tops PBC Tripleheader, No Antonio Tarver |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/kauffman-alexander-tops-pbc-tripleheader-no-antonio-tarver--128653 |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=BoxingScene.com |date=31 May 2018 |language=en-us}} The fight took place at the Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, California. The 10-round bout was mostly back and forth. Washington started off fast, landing big shots and applying pressure on Nofire. In round 3, Nofire landed some hard shots on Washington, however he recovered and took over, landing his own big shots. Nofire slowed down after landing his big shots. Washington remained in control for most of the fight. The three judges scored the bout 98–91, 97–92, and 97–92 in favor of Washington, giving him the much needed win and snapping Washington's 2-fight losing streak.{{Cite web |author= |title=Gerald Washington Decisions Wes Nofire: Spencer, Hunter Win |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/gerald-washington-decisions-wes-nofire-spencer-hunter-win--128992 |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=BoxingScene.com |date=10 June 2018 |language=en-us}}

Political career

= Cherokee Nation Tribal Council =

==Campaign==

In December 2018, Nofire announced his intention for run for Cherokee Nation Tribal Council in District 3 seat, being vacated by David Walkingstick, who was running for Principal Chief.{{Cite web |title=Nofire seeks District 3 seat on Tribal Council |url=https://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/news/local_news/nofire-seeks-district-3-seat-on-tribal-council/article_81d5f02a-6d06-5eb9-99a7-7c7d8fc566f7.html |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=Tahlequah Daily Press |date=8 December 2018 |language=en}} The Cheorkee Nation Tribal Council is a seventeen-member unicameral legislature of the tribal government.{{Cite web |title=Legislative Branch |url=https://legislative.cherokee.org/ |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=Cherokee Nation Website |language=en-US}} Nofire topped a field of seven candidates in the general election that occurred on June 1, 2019, advancing himself to the July Runoff.{{cite web| url=https://election.cherokee.org/media/3i4jfefa/official-vote-count-6_1_19.pdf | access-date=2023-10-29 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731183540/https://election.cherokee.org/media/3i4jfefa/official-vote-count-6_1_19.pdf | archive-date=2022-07-31 |title=Cumulative Report - Official - Cherokee Nation - General Election | date=2019-06-01}} Nofire winning 29.47% of the votes, advanced to face off Cherokee County Democratic Party Chair, Debra Proctor (29.09% of the Vote) in a July 27 run off.

The runoff election was largely seen a proxy fight between the Hoskin/Warner faction and the Walkingstick/Frailey faction from 2019 Cherokee Nation principal chief election. Proctor was largely being supported by the Hoskin/Warner faction and Nofire being supported by the Walkingstick/Frailey faction.{{Cite web |first=D. Sean |last=Rowley |title=Updated: Nofire, Proctor headed for Dist. 3 runoff |url=https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/news/updated-nofire-proctor-headed-for-dist-3-runoff/article_bff3ece2-9048-539b-963e-b925d4c50a33.html |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=cherokeephoenix.org |date=2 June 2019 |language=en}} Nofire received endorsement from Incumbent David Walkingstick and former Cherokee Nation Principal Chad Smith .{{Cite news |last=Tahlequah |first=Chad Smith |title=Letter to the Editor: Former Cherokee Nation principal chief provides his endorsements |url=https://tulsaworld.com/opinion/letters/letter-to-the-editor-former-cherokee-nation-principal-chief-provides-his-endorsements/article_3a9dec8e-e1e1-58a3-bb02-20829788b49c.html |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=Tulsa World |language=en}} On Election Day, Nofire overcame Proctor winning 63.75% of the vote.{{Cite web |publisher=Cherokee Nation Election Commission |title=2019 Runoff Election Results |url=https://election.cherokee.org/media/xeya2lf4/official-vote-count-7-27-19-run-off.pdf |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=Elections.Cherokee.org}}

==Tenure==

During his tenure on the tribal council, Nofire frequently questioned the tribal sovereignty of the Cherokee Nation. He has claimed the Cherokee Nation "never legally established a jurisdictional court over the citizens of the Cherokee Nation,” cast doubt on the Cherokee Nation's criminal jurisdiction during council meetings, and accused principal chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. of using the Cherokee Marshall service for child trafficking. Hoskin described the allegations as "unhinged conspiracy theory.”

=2022 congressional campaign=

{{Main|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Oklahoma#District 2}}

Nofire ran for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district in 2022.{{cite news |title=Tribal councilor, Tahlequah native Nofire to make D2 bid for Congress |url=https://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/news/tribal-councilor-tahlequah-native-nofire-to-make-d2-bid-for-congress/article_d27c8625-fbac-53cd-8aa0-edc7d45c1cae.html |access-date=5 December 2022 |work=Tahlequah Daily Press |date=25 April 2022}} He was one of sixteen candidates for the seat in the Republican primary.{{cite news |last1=Gore |first1=Hogan |title=16 candidates comprise the field in dash for eastern Oklahoma congressional seat |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2022/04/22/oklahoma-election-congressional-district-2-candidates/7281820001/ |access-date=5 December 2022 |work=The Oklahoman |date=22 April 2022}} During the campaign, Nofire was criticized by fellow Tribal Councilor Candessa Tehee for calling the McGirt v. Oklahoma decision "the biggest threat to Oklahomans” at a Bartlesville campaign stop. She described his statements as "border[ing] on being treasonous and traitorous to Cherokee Nation.”{{cite news |last1=Hunter |first1=Chad |title=Nofire's McGirt statements called 'clearly treasonous' |url=https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/news/nofire-s-mcgirt-statements-called-clearly-treasonous/article_6992f466-e106-11ec-b7c4-1fa3bf3b3776.html |access-date=5 December 2022 |work=Cherokee Phoenix |date=31 May 2022}} He placed seventh and failed to qualify for the runoff. Nofire endorsed Governor Kevin Stitt in his re-election campaign.

=2023 Cherokee Nation principal chief campaign=

Nofire announced his intent to run for Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation with Ryan Dirteater on his ticket as deputy chief. Dirteater later announced that he would not be submitting his paperwork to the election board. On February 9 Nofire filed for election with the Cherokee Nation Election Board without Dirteater on his ticket.{{Cite web |last=Serrano |first=Sara |date=2023-02-09 |title=Cherokee Nation filing period closes with 41 candidates running |url=https://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/news/cherokee-nation-filing-period-closes-with-41-candidates-running/article_f137ba76-ec7b-5d6f-9837-520b637c482f.html |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=Tahlequah Daily Press |language=en}} He lost the election to incumbent principal chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.{{cite news |last1=Hunter |first1=Chad |title=Unofficial vote points to landslide Hoskin re-election |url=https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/cn_election_2023/unofficial-vote-points-to-landslide-hoskin-re-election/article_ecd408f2-02ab-11ee-8ca5-431d636ba536.html |access-date=4 June 2023 |work=Cherokee Phoenix |date=June 4, 2023}}

=Oklahoma Native American Affairs Liaison=

On September 5, 2023, Nofire was appointed the Native American Affairs Liaison of Oklahoma by Governor Kevin Stitt.{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Molly |title=Oklahoma governor taps new Native affairs liaison as criticism from tribal leaders grows |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2023/09/05/gov-kevin-stitt-appoints-native-affairs-liaison-as-criticism-grows-cherokee-nation-wes-nofire/70764848007/ |access-date=6 September 2023 |work=The Oklahoman |date=September 5, 2023}} His appointment was criticized by Cherokee Nation officials with Chuck Hoskin Jr. calling it "disappointing" and Speaker of the Tribal Council Mike Shambaugh describing the appointment as "very disturbing."{{cite news |last1=Rowley |first1=D. Sean |title=Nofire appointed Native American liaison by Stitt |url=https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/news/nofire-appointed-native-american-liaison-by-stitt/article_301590f0-4cd9-11ee-8793-572354d6496c.html |access-date=6 September 2023 |work=Cherokee Phoenix |date=September 6, 2023}} Shambaugh later published an op-ed in the Cherokee Phoenix comparing Nofire to General George Armstrong Custer's Native American scouts and criticizing his appointment because of his "peddl[ing] in fact-free unhinged and ideologically extreme conspiracy theories that pose a danger of political violence" such as the Jewish Indian theory, implying principal chief Hoskins is "the biblical 'beast'" otherwise known as Satan, and accusing the Cherokee Nation of child trafficking.{{cite news |last1=Mike |first1=Shambaugh |title=OPINION: Custer had his scouts. Governor Stitt has Wes Nofire. |url=https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/opinion/opinion-custer-had-his-scouts-governor-stitt-has-wes-nofire/article_c9c53162-4e67-11ee-ad41-ff1881de0c61.html |access-date=9 September 2023 |work=Cherokee Phoenix |date=September 8, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Krehbiel |first1=Randy |title=Political notebook: State tax revenue continues lower |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/political-notebook-state-tax-revenue-continues-lower/article_a009a030-4e83-11ee-ab0d-8f427e3f11db.html |access-date=10 September 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=September 8, 2023}} The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes unanimously voted to approve a resolution expressing no confidence in Nofire and describing the Native American Affairs Liaison position as ineffective under Governor Stitt.{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Molly |title=Five Tribes vote no confidence in Governor Stitt's new liaison for Native affairs |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2023/09/21/cherokee-chickasaw-choctaw-muscogee-seminole-five-tribes-no-confidence-wes-nofire/70924800007/ |access-date=22 September 2023 |work=The Oklahoman |date=September 21, 2023}}

Electoral history

class="wikitable"

|+2019 Cherokee Nation Tribal Council - District 3 General Election Results 6/1/2019

!Candidate

!Early Votes

!Absentee Votes

!Election Day Votes

!Total Votes

!Total Percentage

RJ Robbins

|17

|20

|76

|113

|10.74%

Debra Proctor

|101

|83

|122

|306

|29.09%

Jim Cosby

|29

|10

|64

|103

|9.79%

Brandon Girty

|17

|1.62%

Billy Flint

|29

|66

|124

|11.79%

Larry Dean Pritchett

|22

|12

|45

|79

|7.51%

Wes Nofire

|77

|63

|170

|310

|29.47%

class="wikitable"

!Candidate

!Early Votes

!Absentee Votes

!Election Day Votes

!Total Votes

!Total Percentage

Wes Nofire

|199

|99

|242

|540

|63.75%

Debra Proctor

|128

|85

|94

|307

|36.25%

{{Election box begin no change |title=Republican primary results for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district in 2022{{cite web |title=June 28 2022 |url=https://results.okelections.us/OKER/?elecDate=20220628 |website=okelections.us |publisher=Oklahoma State Election Board |access-date=29 June 2022}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change