Gary Batton
Gary Batton | |
|---|---|
Batton in 2015 | |
| Chief of the Choctaw Nation | |
| Assumed office April 28, 2014 | |
| Deputy | Jack Austin |
| Preceded by | Gregory E. Pyle |
| Assistant Chief of the Choctaw Nation | |
| In office May 31, 2007 – April 28, 2014 | |
| Leader | Gregory E. Pyle |
| Preceded by | Mike Bailey |
| Succeeded by | Jack Austin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 15, 1966 Wichita, Kansas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American Choctaw Nation |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Angela Batton |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Southeastern Oklahoma State University (BA) |
Gary Dale Batton (born December 15, 1966) is a tribal administrator and politician, the current and 47th Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. It is the third-largest federally recognized tribe and second-largest reservation in total area.
Batton was appointed as Chief on April 28, 2014, upon Chief Gregory E. Pyle's retirement. He was elected as Chief in his own right in a general election on July 11, 2015, with 86.5% of the vote. In 2019, Batton was unopposed in seeking a second full term. He was subsequently unopposed in seeking a third full term in 2023.