Beasley Denson

Beasley Denson served as Miko or Tribal Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians from 2007 to 2011. He is the third person to become Tribal Chief since the tribe adopted its modern constitution. Beasley Denson defeated 28-year incumbent Phillip Martin by 211 votes with Denson receiving 1,697 votes to Martin's 1,486. The votes were disputed, and Sunday was the last day to challenge the results. But Martin issued a written statement saying the campaign is over, offering his congratulations to Denson and urging tribal members to move on from the election. Now, with Martin's words, "Let us unite as a tribe."

Denson defeated Martin on a campaign predicated on putting the interests of tribal members ahead of non-tribal members. Ultimately, the slogan and chant "Chahta First" emerged as the theme of Denson's successful campaign.