BUFFALO, N.Y. — In this election year for the White House, members of the Seneca Nation will also elect their next president in November.
A well known business leader is seeking the job and a new way to negotiate the nation's casino agreement with New York state leaders.
J.C. Seneca describes himself this way: "One thing I've always been called is a closer. You start something, and you close the deal."
While he did bring up his concern for substance abuse and the illegal drug trade in and around the Seneca territory, J.C. Seneca launched his bid for tribal nation president with his priority one for the Senecas' financial stability is addressing stalled negotiations for the casino gaming compact with the state which technically expired last year. It is now operating under another extension agreement for the three Seneca casinos in Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Salamanca.
J.C. Seneca says he wants to see a more forceful, energetic approach in those discussions.
"Our side is comprised of some councilors and legal and they have all lawyers on their side," he said. "And so I think the players have to change to be able to get things done. I think the leadership, the president, and the governor need to come together, and at that point I think things can move along a lot quicker."
A prominent business owner, Seneca, who says he has dealt with Albany and Washington leaders before, threw down new bargaining chips. For example, just as some claim the governor and the state are dragging out negotiations to keep the current 25 percent slot machine revenue shared with the state and host communities, Seneca instead declared, "Revenue sharing for me is zero. I think we will do far better off without revenue sharing with the state."
But otherwise J.C. Seneca is open to competition and reversing past concerns about commercial, non-Seneca casinos. As he puts it, "Exclusivity of gaming has hurt us over the years, because it's kind of like a security blanket. It's protected us, which is good, and that's fine. It's got us to where we are now 20 years later. But I think it's time to take that blanket away and let's go out there, let's compete in the world."
Seneca even noted the success of the Seminole Tribe of Florida in taking over the legendary Mirage Resort Casino on the Las Vegas.
The Governor's Office replied with a response that does not really reference J.C. Seneca's proposal of zero slot revenue for the state and the host communities.
"Late last year, Governor Hochul successfully secured a short-term extension of the current gaming compact with President Armstrong, signifying significant good faith towards negotiating a long-term resolution. Our administration is working with the Seneca Nation of Indians to make sure we have an agreement that is fair, serves the interests of all parties, and addresses the needs of key stakeholders and we look forward to continuing to work toward an agreement," the statement read.
So far there are no other declared candidates for Seneca Nation president, but there is a filing deadline of Sept. 6.
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