A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the town of Aquinnah and a group of town residents have a stake in a lawsuit over whether the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has the right to open a casino on the Vineyard.

The town of Aquinnah and a group of residents have petitioned to intervene in a federal lawsuit over whether the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has the right to open a casino on the Vineyard. The court filings last week came shortly after a judge ruled that the case would be tried in federal court.

Incumbent selectman Beverly Wright stressed her experience over the past three years while challenger Julianne Vanderhoop emphasized helping the younger generation during a candidates forum in the old town hall Wednesday night. The town election is May 14.

A federal judge ruled early this month that the state of Alabama cannot interfere with casinos on tribal lands. The case has caught the attention of both sides in the dispute between the Vineyard Wampanoag tribe and the commonwealth over casino rights on the Island.

After a referendum to quash the plan to put high-stakes bingo in the Wampanoag community center failed by two votes, tribal chairman Tobias Vanderhoop said the project will go forward. But many hurdles remain.

The ruling by a U.S. District Court judge clears the way for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to continue its casino plans in Taunton.

This week Mr. Vanderhoop officially took over as the new tribal chairman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). He was elected in November on a campaign of inclusivity.

Faced with a lawsuit challenging its right to build a casino in Aquinnah, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) is seeking to have the case decided in federal, not state court.

The 16-page complaint filed in the state Supreme Judicial Court claims the tribe breached a 1983 land claims settlement agreement by taking steps to allow gaming in Aquinnah.

Prospect of a Vineyard casino was thrust back into the spotlight this week with the announcement the tribe was moving to build a gaming facility in Aquinnah.