Mike Lembcke trailing NAT opponents in S. Ceona

FAIRFIELD, S.C. -- The "governors curse" in South Ceona may strike again in the 2026 election.

South Ceona has never reelected a governor since statehood. It's had a series of one-term governors, alternating between both political parties.

Incumbent Gov. Mike Lembcke (C) appears to be headed for a similar fate as his predecessors, according to new polling from Opinion Research.

In hypothetical match-ups with his two NAT opponents, Lembcke is trailing.

He trails badly against former NAT Gov. Scott Bannich, 44 to 54 percent, respectively.

Lembcke fares somewhat better against former Attorney General Patty Volston (N). She leads him 51 to 48 percent, respectively.

It's bad news for Conservatives, who were hoping to break the state's "governors curse" this year.

Lembcke, a former federal senator and prosecutor, was first elected back in 2022, when he beat then-Governor Brett Ratenzy (N) 51 to 48 percent.

But a lackluster job market, an increasingly strained housing market due to large population growth, and  poor communication from the governor's office have made Lembcke vulnerable.

Critics -- even fellow Conservatives -- say Lembcke is not visible enough in the state. He makes far less public appearances than previous governors or governors from neighboring states. And his gruff, brusk personality is off-putting, some say.

"I think Mike Lembcke's greatest weakness is Mike Lembcke," said state Sen. Neal Dorion (C-Averon). "If he would get out and see the people more, do more press conferences, more ribbon cuttings, get his face out there more...and if he would joke around a little more and show a relaxed side, I think people could identify with him more."

Lembcke has been criticized for being uptight and dour.

"He rarely smiles, only when he screws the NAT over. He rarely interacts with the public. He's not a governor of the people," NAT state Rep. Anna Olshean (Fairfield Inner) told the GBC.

The governor's office has pushed back.

"Governor Lembcke is not a happy-go-lucky guy. He is a serious leader, he is a tough leader. He doesn't joke around a lot because that's not his personality. He's not a golden retriever, he's a lion," said the governor's press secretary Alaina Kempson. "If people want a flowery governor who just cuts ribbons and does photo ops but doesn't actually do anything important, then they should elect a 'feel good' Nationalist who will give everyone what they want and raise everyone's taxes."

Bannich, who served as the state's inaugural governor from 2013 to 2015, was similarly criticized at the time for being too stiff and unapproachable.

But since he left office, Bannich has repaired his public image. A dentist by trade, the former governor returned to his dental practice in east Fairfield, working with low-income patients who can't afford dental care.

He's spoken out on labor issues, on affordability, and has championed populist policies that have resonated with the working class and with average South Ceonans.

Lembcke, on the other hand, has been a staunch Conservative champion of right-wing policies. He's adopted a tough-on-crime approach, as well as a hardline pro-business stance, rolling back many of the pro-worker policies previous NAT governors enacted.

"This governor is anti-worker, anti-environment, and anti-human rights," said Leo Nolan, director of the South Ceona Human Rights Coalition.

"Mike Lembcke has expanded logging in our forests, he's expanded the use of carbon-producing energy, he's cracked down on protesters who are lawfully exercising their rights, and he has empowered big business at the expense of average South Ceonans," added Nolan.

While Lembcke's recent poll numbers are lackluster, the CNS is rushing to defend his record.

"Mike Lembcke may not be the most smiley, photogenic governor out there. He's maybe not warm and fuzzy. But he is right on policy. He supports law enforcement. He supports business. He supports our rural communities. He's focused on the issues South Ceonans care about," said Rich Negley, a spokesman for the Conservative Governors Association (CGA).

While Nationalists may have the edge in the polls right now, they face a difficult primary between two former popular statewide officials, Bannich and Volston.

National and state party leaders spent months trying to talk Volston out of running for governor, hoping to avoid a nasty intra-party battle. But the former attorney general pushed ahead.

"I love Scott. I think he's a great guy and he's done a lot of great things for our state. But I still believe I'm the best person to take on Mike Lembcke. So I'm not leaving the race," said Volston in a recent press conference at her home in rural Englehardt County.

She continued: "My whole life I've been pushed around and told what to do because I'm a woman in a man's world (politics). But I have never backed down and I'm not going to back down this time either. I will let the good voters of South Ceona, specifically the NAT voters, decide who they want to represent our party heading into the 2026 election."

Bannich responded, telling a Fairfield radio host that he "respects" Volston, and he wouldn't ask her to step out of the race.

"I know some people pressured her to drop out. I never did and I never would do that. I'm not afraid of some healthy competition, and I think both Patty and I have good records to run on. We've both championed pragmatic policies during our careers. If she wins, I think she'll do a good job and I think she'll beat Mike Lembcke. If I win, I know I'll beat Mike Lembcke and I know I'll do a good job. So, either way, I'm not worried about the outcome of this primary election," said Bannich.

If Bannich wins the primary and beats Lembcke, the former will become the first governor in state history to be reelected, albeit to a non-consecutive term.

If Volston wins the NAT's backing and defeats Lembcke, she will become the state's first female governor.

Right now, Dr. Kerry Rudgley from Dulkalow University ranks the South Ceona governor's race as a "toss-up." However, the new poll results may push the race into the "Leans NAT" column.

Lial Gov. Junes Charmagne: 'I think I have one more term in me'

MONVAILLE -- After a record-breaking seven years in office, popular Lial Gov. Junes Charmagne says he will seek a historic third term in 2026.

Lial does not have term limits on its governors, so they are free to run for reelection as many times as they want.

However, in recent history, all former governors have only sought two terms.

But with an approval rating of 70% and a booming economy, Charmagne is well-positioned to seek a third term next year.

He first won the governorship back in 2018 in an upset, when he unexpectedly defeated Lial Attorney General Susan Pittman in a close race.

In 2022, he easily won reelection against NAT businessman Bill Kintelli by 10 points.

Now, Charmagne's popularity has scared off top NAT candidates.

Pittman has declined to run against him again, saying she will continue to work for the federal government in Mavocke, where she has served as the federal Attorney General.

Former Senate Majority Leader John Morandi has been toying with running for governor, but sources close to him say he really wants to go back to the Federal Senate.

Morandi has said he will make a decision a run for governor by the end of January.

NAT Sens. Jaime Scousenovy and Henry Mickeravi have both declined to run for governor in 2026.

That leaves lesser-known and less-popular candidates to challenge Charmagne.

Current Lt. Gov. DeMerius Jenkins is exploring a run, as is Attorney General Alice Mobley.

So far the only candidate officially running against Charmagne is state Sen. Bill Passaneas from south Monvaille.

A champion of the working class and labor, Passaneas, 73, is considered an "old school" candidate. He is known to cross the aisle and work with Conservatives, and he has many friends in the state legislature from the Conservative party.

Still, the state senator says Lial needs a governor who is more focused on preserving the social safety net and the working class.

"I think Junes Charmagne has done an 'okay' job as governor," Passaneas recently told Lial Public Radio in an interview. "But the emphasis during his governorship has been on making money for big business. On improving the economy for big business and big companies. Where is the focus on helping working class folks? Where is the focus on helping the single moms and single dads or seniors or low-income families or even middle class families who are struggling to make ends meet? I think the focus and the priorities have been wrong," said Passaneas.

While Charmagne is popular, Lial remains a left-leaning state. Nationalists inherently enjoy an advantage in the state, with almost twice as many registered voters as Conservatives.

Even so, ousting the popular incumbent will be difficult for Nationalists, especially if they nominate a little-known candidate such as Passaneas, who has little name recognition outside his south Monvaille district.

Charmagne made his reelection campaign official this week, holding a kick-off party, complete with the governor spraying champagne on the crowd.

"I think I have one more term in me," he told the audience with a smile, as applause filled the Lions Center in Clothen.

In a short speech, Charmagne said a third term, should the voters grant him one, would be focused on bringing greater economic revival to Monvaille, the state's largest city and the third largest metro area in the nation.

"Over the past seven years, we've seen huge economic gains in places like Clothen, Cedrickson, Sauvienne, Brisanten, Castleton, Kappasanna, and the suburbs of Monvaille," the governor said. "But unfortunately, because of hardcore, deeply ingrained Nationalists who lead the City of Monvaille, we haven't seen those economic benefits in our state's largest city. Failed Nationalist politicians in Monvaille have refused to work with me or my administration on reform. They have shut Conservatives out of the process and clung to their failed policies. As a result, the economic revolution that is sweeping our state has largely passed over our state's largest city. And the people of Monvaille deserve better."

"I am pledging now, that if I win a third term next fall, I will be focusing on the whole state like I always do, but I will be forming a special task force, an economic development task force, specifically for the City of Monvaille. We're going to bring economic relief to Monvaille, whether the Nationalist politicians who run that city want us to or not. Whether they work with us or not. We're going to do what we have to do to make Monvaille great again," he said, echoing US President Donald Trump's famous "Make America Great Again" slogan.

NAT critics, including Passaneas, say the governor should have already brought economic relief to Monvaille.

"The City of Monvaille is the economic and cultural capitol of our state," said Passaneas. "Why has the governor been ignoring our state's largest city? I think the answer is that he hasn't gotten very many votes from the City of Monvaille. So therefore, it's not a priority for him. He only seems to care about the communities and the counties that voted for him and gave him their support. And that kind of thinking is really just wrong."

Charmagne's press secretary later clarified the governor's comments, telling reporters in a lengthy and wandering text message that Charmagne has worked for years to bring economic revitalization to Monvaille but has encountered stiff opposition from Monvaille's mayor and city council.

"This governor has held meetings in Monvaille with the mayor and city council. He has sent envoys and emissaries to meetings. He has called them regularly, at least once a week. He has held campaign events and press events in the city. And every time, he has been rebuffed by the angry, bitter NAT politicians who run Monvaille. They often, though not always, have refused to meet with him. Or they only want to meet with him with cameras rolling, so they can publicly air their grievances and berate the governor on camera. They have held rival rallies during his events to distract the press from covering his events. They have resisted any reforms this governor has put forward. They have refused to even consider some of the reforms he's asked them to look at. This is a very hostile local government, and the real solution is that the people of Monvaille, the voters, need to vote out their crappy mayor and horrible city council. That's the real solution. But no matter who the voters elect, Governor Charmagne will work with whoever to get the City of Monvaille back to the greatness it once had," wrote Kelly Ann Stevens, press secretary for the governor, in a text message to the NPF.

Nationalist leaders in Monvaille are "jealous" of Charmagne's popularity, Stevens added. "They just can't stand that he's a Conservative and he is immensely popular with the people of Lial. That just pisses them off so much, because Lial is supposed to be a liberal state and the NAT is supposed to have such an advantage here. And they do [have an advantage]. But Junes Charmagne has totally turned the politics in this state upside down. He has brought back a popular Conservative brand, he has built a strong economy for the 21st century, and he has trounced Nationalists at the polls on several occasions. And the Nationalists politicians in Monvaille do not like that. And therefore, they're trying to undermine the governor."

Monvaille Nationalists, of course, dispute that characterization. They blame the governor for the city's urban decay. 

"We have met with the governor on many occasions," Monvaille City Council President Court Van Cleef told the NPF in response to the governor's assertion of a lack of cooperation. "I can tell you, he has zero interest in the City of Monvaille. His focus is on rural and suburban only."

Monvaille's Mayor, Roderick Bronwyn, a Nationalist, also took issue with Charmagne's characterization of his city. 

"I'm not sure what he's talking about when he talks about how Monvaille is 'failing.' Our city is alive and well. Our economy is booming. We are far and away the economic lifeblood of this state," said Bronwyn. "Have we lost some population to the suburbs, yes we have. But that's something all major cities in this country have dealt with, it's not unique to Monvaille. We still have challenges, like traffic congestion, expanding public transport, pollution, and reviving industry. But again, these are challenges that are happening all over the country, not just here in Monvaille. It's not a reflection of failed policy, it's just a reflection of changing demographics and changing working conditions, such as remote work, smaller families, the migration of families to suburban areas, etc."

Charmagne said in a sit-down TV interview with the GBC that "failed Nationalist politicians can say whatever they want."

"They can defend it until the cows come home, but the reality is the Nationalist party has controlled the local government in Monvaille since the 1950s, and the city is worse off today, economically, with urban decay, homelessness, garbage and pollution, and failed schools...it's worse off today than ever before, and that's because they're doing something wrong. Something is not working. If there ever was a city that should open its doors and its arms to the help of Conservative, common-sense business leaders like me, it's the City of Monvaille."

As the war of words over one of the nation's largest metros continues, both parties will be looking to the 2026 gubernatorial election.

But one thing is clear: while Junes Charmagne and top Nationalists feud back-and-forth over the fate and condition of the City of Monvaille, the governor still enjoys a 70% approval rating, as of the last check a week ago.

"The Nationalists can attack him, and they can attack him for focusing exclusively on rural and suburban communities at the expense of urban Monvaille. But say what you will, the governor still is very popular. The voters love him. He is one of the most popular governors in the country and most certainly a presidential contender in 2028," Chris Alexander, a political commentator from the GBC said in an interview with local media last week.

If he does win a third term in 2026, Charmagne will become the first Conservative governor in modern history to win a third term.

Nationalist Gov. Jenna Duvan won a third term in Damoign last year, becoming the first governor in more than 30 years to win a third mandate from voters.

Wolmach says 'Marchenay needs a woman governor'

MADAGEN, March. -- After months of wandering in the political wilderness, former Federal Sen. Heidi Wolmach says she will seek Marchenay's governorship in 2026.

Her decision sets up a potentially acrimonious primary battle with current Lt. Gov. Kevin Levenetti (N), who already announced his candidacy for governor back in April 2025.

Wolmach, who narrowly lost reelection last year to Conservative Assemblywoman Marsha Dawes, had been mulling her political future for months.

Friends of the former senator say she slipped into a deep depression following her 2024 defeat, and she was anxious to jump back into the political arena.

She considered running for the Senate again in 2026 or 2028, but concluded it would be difficult to defeat Conservative incumbents Sidney Leeland and Megan Sellious, who are both popular and well-financed.

An easier path back to political relevance, Wolmach decided (according to friends), would be challenging first-term Conservative Gov. Mike Shannon, who is seeking reelection next year.

And in an interview with a Madagen radio station last week, Wolmach made a controversial statement, telling the hosts of the radio show that she decided to run for governor because "Marchenay needs a woman governor."

She acknowledged Levenetti had declared his candidacy months earlier, and the lieutenant governor has raised $3.1 million so far. He has also amassed a sizable amount of endorsements from state leaders, mayors, county commissioners, and members of Assembly.

Wolmach admitted running against Levenetti, who is already firmly established in the race, would be difficult.

"This won't be easy, Karen," Wolmach told Karen Leising, host of Madagen's 1910 AM Wake-Up program. "But I decided it's the right race for me and the right race for the people of Marchenay."

Wolmach said Levenetti has done "a fine job" as lieutenant governor, but she said it will take "a firm executive with strong leadership skills" to oust the unassuming and affable Shannon in 2026.

"Marchenayans want a strong governor. They don't want just a nice person. They want someone who is tough, someone who will fight for them, someone who will stand up to the Conservatives when they propose cutting social safety nets and cutting funding to health care and education. Marchenayans want someone who will push back when they're pushed, or punch back, in my case," said a chuckling Wolmach.

"Kevin Levenetti is a nice man, but I question whether he has that fire, that energy and that passion to defend Marchenayans against all the attacks we're suffering from Conservatives," added Wolmach.

In a response on his "X" account, (formerly Twitter), Levenetti disputed Wolmach's characterization of him as "a weakling or a doormat."

"I am not a weakling or a doormat," he wrote. "I am the lieutenant governor of Marchenay, a position that is a heartbeat away from the governorship. I am an experienced business professional who worked in the private sector before becoming lieutenant governor. I know how to run a company, I know how to be a CEO and how to bring business to our state, and I know how to manage our state."

In a follow-up post, he wrote that he is "not afraid of Conservatives" and not afraid to "punch back if I have to."

"I'm not a naturally combative person," he told Madagen's 3C TV news station. "But if somebody walks into my state and disrespects our process, or attacks our state, I will fight back."

The lieutenant governor and his allies, including top state and national NAT party elders, spent months trying to dissuade Wolmach from entering the governor's race. The party desperately wants to avoid a contentious primary battle, especially when their chosen candidate had already enjoyed widespread support.

"Heidi Wolmach is pissing off a lot of her fellow Nationalists by running for governor when the party already has a strong candidate who is well established," said John Nickerling, an NAT strategist who has worked on past statewide NAT campaigns, though has never worked for Wolmach directly.

"She might be running for governor, but she isn't going to get any support from the state or national parties," said Nickerling. He added that her run for governor is "doomed before it even begins."

Conservatives quickly seized on Wolmach's comments about her gender.

"Heidi Wolmach says she's running for governor because 'Marchenay needs a woman governor,'" conservative radio host Chris Kilgore told his listeners. "Can you imagine anything more asinine than that? She thinks she'd be a superior governor because she's a woman. It can't get any more absurd than that," he said.

Wolmach said being a woman is an asset when it comes to formulating policy that is pro-women and pro-family.

"We've had several male governors, and there's nothing wrong with that. But let's face it, men don't understand women. They don't understand what women need. They don't understand what mothers need. They don't understand pro-family policy. It would help, in a lot of ways, to have a woman governor who understands these things. Who understands the needs of children, the needs of babies and infants, the needs of working mothers and single moms. I think that's a big part of why I'm running, because no one else in the race offers that perspective."

No polling has been done on the 2026 Marchenay governor's race yet, but Shannon is a popular incumbent. Under his three-year tenure so far, the state's economy has added jobs, despite a difficult national economy. His administration has touted the arrival and commitment of several auto companies to build car factories in Marchenay, and the governor has made welfare reform and work-for-benefits a signature part of his first term policy.

"Under Mike Shannon, Marchenay is booming again," Conservative strategist Mike Adkins told the NPF. "Our economy is buzzing again, we have more kids graduating from high school and going to work in the trades and becoming plumbers, electricians, welders, etc. We are having a mini-revolution in this state, and it's in large part thanks to Mike Shannon and his team."

Marchenay remains a liberal-leaning state, however, Conservatives like Shannon, Dawes, Leeland, Sellious, Attorney General Mary Beth Halter and Secretary of State Ari Kavarnath have enjoyed success in recent years.

Some political prognosticators have said Marchenay has moved to the right, along with Ansleigha and Trinton...three formerly liberal bastions that have in recent years moved rightward in their election results.

Nationalists say while Conservatives have enjoyed recent success, their party still has strength, particularly in the cities and working-class communities.

The party's failure in recent elections has largely come down to weak candidates, says Nickerling.

"Dan Rattner, our former governor, was not a strong candidate back in 2022, and I say that with all due respect, because I like Dan. But he was very weak. And some of our senate candidates and our statewide candidates have also been weak. I think if we get the right candidate at the top of the ballot, you'll see the NAT shine again in Marchenay."

Wolmach has verbally said she is running for governor, but she has not officially filed any paperwork yet. She is expected to file the papers sometime over the holiday break.

Two former governors headed for a clash in Kalnier primary

LAMBERTH, Kln. -- As Conservative Gov. Tony Ritonio becomes a "lame duck" and heads into the political sunset next year, Kalnier's political circles are churning with speculation about who will replace the term limited Ritonio.

And on the NAT side, it appears two former governors are poised to clash head-on in a divisive NAT primary race.

Former Govs. Karen DeSalle and Nick Hall are reportedly both planning to seek the governorship next year.

The two have been plotting their respective political comebacks for months, and while neither has officially launched their campaigns yet, sources close to both former leaders say they are both very close to formally entering the race to succeed Ritonio.

Over the past eight months, DeSalle and Hall have met twice and have communicated regularly, according to sources who know both parties. The sources asked The Mavocke Capitol newspaper to remain anonymous, because they were asked by both DeSalle and Hall not to speak to the media.

The Capitol's sources say both DeSalle and Hall have tried to avoid a political confrontation, but neither one has backed down and decided to step aside.

DeSalle, who was governor from 2011-2015, believes she should be the NAT's nominee next year because she has political seniority over Hall, who served more recently from 2019-2023.

Hall, who lost to Ritonio back in 2022, believes he should be the party's standard-bearer in 2026 because he was most recently in office.

Both former governors are planning to formally enter the 2026 race over the Christmas holiday, and negotiations between the two have failed, sources say.

DeSalle attempted to talk Hall into running as her lieutenant governor running mate, but Hall rejected that offer.

"He was governor himself. It would be very hard for him to serve as a Number Two after he served as a Number One," said one source.

Hall proposed that DeSalle serve as his running mate, but the more senior former governor, 57, declined, saying she couldn't accept a subordinate position to the much younger Hall, age 43.

Then there's another factor: moderate NAT businessman Chris Kinlock, who is a first-time candidate and running as a private sector "outsider."

Kinlock is the CEO of InLine Running Shoes, a Lamberth-based company. Despite pressure from top Nationalists in the state and even national NAT leaders, the relatively unknown Kinlock has declined to drop out of the race.

"He really has little chance of winning because he has zero support from the establishment," said one source.

However, Kinlock told Lamberth Public Radio he is hoping to be the alternative third choice.

"My two opponents in the NAT race are both former governors. They're both feuding over which one of them should be our party's nominee in 2026. They both think they somehow deserve to be the nominee. I say, let's let the NAT voters decide. I'm hoping to be that third choice that is above all the drama and infighting. And maybe I can squeeze past them with 35% of the vote," said Kinlock.

He hasn't released any financial disclosures yet, but those who know Kinlock say he is a low-level millionaire capable of dropping at least a few million dollars of his own personal fortune into his campaign.

DeSalle and Hall are less affluent, but both enjoy high name recognition and popularity in the Kalnier NAT party. And they share something in common: both lost to Ritonio in separate races.

But in 2026, Ritonio won't be on the ballot. Kalnier limits its governors to just two terms for life. Ritonio, who first served as governor from 2015-2019 and more recently has served since 2023, will be forced to leave office in 2027 and will be barred from running again.

That means there's uncertainty in the governor's race on the Conservative side, too.

Current Lt. Gov. Marie Dehignen has hinted she is considering running, while former Drogen County Sheriff and repeat candidate for office Mark Radowski has also expressed interest.

Businessman Steve Mikelson, who nearly defeated Federal Sen. Paul LeBouse back in 2018, is also said to be considering a run. MoneyLock CEO Bill Broadbent, an Ivy League-educated business mogul from north Lamberth, is also mulling a bid.

Both parties are slated to have contentious primaries next year, but a head-to-head battle between two former governors and darlings of the state NAT party will be a marquee race.

Allies of both DeSalle and Hall are proposing that whichever candidate is unsuccessful could serve as a running mate to the successful nominee, meaning either a DeSalle-Hall or Hall-DeSalle ticket. This option has been offered as a compromise between the two.

However, that proposal assumes that Chris Kinlock does not win the primary. If Kinlock, the political newcomer, wins the race as a "dark horse" candidate, both DeSalle and Hall would likely be left out in the cold.

Kinlock has implied he would choose someone else as his running mate, should he win the NAT's backing in the primary election.

No matter how the chips fall, it will be a tough race for the NAT. While Kalnier remains a liberal-leaning state, Kalnier elects its governors in off-presidential election years, making it easier for insurgent Conservatives to win the governorship.

Adding to that factor, Conservatives enjoyed unexpected success in the 2022 elections in Kalnier, with construction company owner Scott Revard winning narrowly in a surprise upset against NAT incumbent Paul LeBouse.

"Kalnier is still a liberal state, so the NAT has a natural advantage," said Dr. Chris Timmons, a political science professor at Northern Kalnier University in Lockport. "But, you can't discount Conservatives. They had a great year last year in Kalnier. They ousted a well-known and popular NAT incumbent senator with a virtually unknown Conservative challenger. And the national mood is still somewhat favorable to the Conservative party. I would not be assuming this race favors the NAT at this point, I think it's still really up in the air."

Ritonio was asked by reporters during a press conference last week who he would like to see succeed him. The governor said it's too early to tell, but he did express strong confidence in Dehignen.

"I don't even know who's running yet and who will throw their hat into the ring," said Ritonio. "But I can tell you, we have an excellent lieutenant governor, Marie Dehignen. And should she decide to run, I think she would be difficult to beat."

Dehignen has said she will decide on a potential run for governor over the Christmas holiday.

If she runs, she will be the first Conservative woman to run for governor in Kalnier history. She currently is the second female lieutenant governor in state history. The first was Jennifer Knowles, who served under Conservative Gov. Joe Gramma.

Hennemott polls best against Ellsworth

CHRISTEN--KERR, E. Deschire -- Former Gov. Val Hennemott is the leading NAT candidate to run against Conservative incumbent Gov. Mark Ellsworth in 2026, according to recently released poll results.

The polls, conducted by Justicia, a left-wing polling firm, found the former governor from Christen-Kerr to be the best-matched against Ellsworth, who is seeking reelection next year.

The two faced off back in 2022, when Hennemott was in office and she was seeking reelection amid the political fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. In that race, Ellsworth defeated Hennemott 51.6 to 47.4 percent, respectively.

This past summer, Hennemott announced her intention to seek a rematch with Ellsworth. She has three opponents in the NAT primary race, however, including state Sen. Frank Capriatti of Poole, multi-millionaire tech CEO Chris Bymers of Freelan, and Shansho Mayor Patsmith "Pat" Dudragovsky.

Justicia's polling found Hennemott comes closest to beating Ellsworth in a potential election, with 48% of respondents choosing her and 50% choosing Ellsworth.

Dudragovsky had almost identical polling numbers against Ellsworth, though Ellsworth received 51% support in a hypothetical race between the two men.

Bymers, a political newcomer who moved to East Deschire back in 2021 from Wilkonshire, receives 47% support against 52% for Ellsworth.

Capriatti, the most outspoken, liberal and controversial of the four NAT candidates, was far behind Ellsworth in a hypothetical match-up, earning just 42% to Ellsworth's 57 percent, respectively.

The poll results are good news for Hennemott, who has struggled to clear the NAT field in the primary race.

When she initially declared her candidacy for the 2026 governor's race, Hennemott and her campaign staff had hoped the former governor would scare other NAT candidates out of the race. A few potential candidates did rule out a run when Hennemott entered the race, but Capriatti, Bymers and Dudragovsky all decided to stay in the race.

Hennemott and her surrogates have leaned heavily on her three remaining NAT rivals, pressuring them to drop out of the race.

The Capriatti, Bymers and Dudragovsky campaigns all confirmed that either Hennemott herself or her allies have reached out to their campaigns and have urged all three men to withdraw from the race.

Capriatti, especially, has faced strong pressure to bow out, given his less-than-impressive polling numbers and his confrontational personality, which makes him prone to gaffes. But for now, the state senator, who comes from a highly political family, says he will stay in the race.

"I'm running for governor because I believe I am the best person to take down Mark Ellsworth," Capriatti told reporters last week at the state capitol in Derosa. "I like Val Hennemott, and I agree with her on a lot of policies, but let's face it, she can't beat Mark Ellsworth. She already lost to him once. What are the chances she can beat him this time?"

For his part, Bymers, who has few political connections and roots in East Deschire, said he is running for governor and staying in the race because he provides "a private sector perspective."

"One thing that makes me unique in this race is I'm not a politician. I'm the only candidate who is not a politician. The rest of them are life-long politicians. I have never ran for office before. I run a business. I know how to run a company and how to make money. And I think that's a valuable asset that all the other candidates, whether they're NAT or Mark Ellsworth...none of them have ever ran a business before. So I think that sets me apart," said Bymers in a sit-down interview at his home in rural Lynchman County.

Dudragovsky, who has previously endorsed Hennemott and campaigned for her back in 2022 and 2018, said he considers Hennemott to be "a very good friend," but he also doubts Hennemott can beat Ellsworth in a rematch.

"Look, I love Val. She is a very good friend of mine. I've known her for years, I've supported her in the past when she ran for governor first in 2018 and then again in 2022. I campaigned for her, I enthusiastically tried to rally votes for her. But at the end of the day, we all want the NAT to win. We're Nationalists, and we want our party to win. And, to be frank, while I love Val and I think she's great, I am not convinced she can win against Ellsworth in 2026. I think I can beat him. I know I can beat him. And we need someone who can win," said Dudragovsky during a press conference in Shansho last week.

He added that his intention to stay in the race "is not personal, it's just business."

Hennemott responded this week in an interview with Tableau Magazine, telling reporter Stephanie Arrens that she "appreciates" her NAT challengers "passion," but she is best-positioned to take on Ellsworth in 2026.

"I think they're all good guys, they're good men. But all the data shows I'm the best person to run against Mark Ellsworth next year. The polling supports that, I have the most name recognition, I have the most money out of the four of us, I have the most political support, both statewide and nationally, and I know Mark Ellsworth. I've already ran against him once. I know how he operates and what annoys him and sends him over the edge. I know what makes him tick and what makes him make mistakes. I know how to run against him. And I know this state like the back of my hand," said Hennemott.

Asked why NAT voters should give her another chance even though she lost to Ellsworth in 2022, Hennemott dismissed her defeat, citing the "extremely close nature" of the 2022 race, and saying Ellsworth simply won because of a national anti-incumbent wave.

"2022 was a fluke. It was a strong year for anti-incumbent challengers. We were just coming out of the pandemic, and there was a lot of litigation surrounding the pandemic and how government, both nationally and at the state level, handled the shutdowns and the social distancing requirements and all of that. Mark Ellsworth rode that wave all the way into shore. He won't have that wave this time. This time, he's the incumbent, and he is the status quo. We are the challengers offering a better way forward, a better path ahead. And I think the voters are going to grab onto our vision for this state and they're going to demand a change."

Ellsworth was asked about his potential 2026 NAT opponents, and declined to get into the specifics of each candidate.

In a written statement, his deputy press secretary, Allison Reach, said "Governor Ellsworth is prepared to run against any left-wing lunatic the Nationalist Party decides to run against him."

Reach projected confidence heading into 2026, citing a "resurging economy" [sic] and a crackdown on homeless people and illegal immigrants.

"The people of East Deschire are more prosperous today and safer today because of Governor Mark Ellsworth," said Reach. "We are confident that the people of East Deschire will overwhelmingly vote to reelect Mark Ellsworth next year when he runs for reelection."

The four NAT candidates are slated to have their first debate in Derosa on January 26.

Conservatives mock Agatha Houndsler for vegan Thanksgiving dinner

DANAECKE, Asl. -- Normally, conservative politicians and activists complain about Ansleigha Gov. Agatha Houndsler's progressive policies.

But on Thanksgiving, Houndsler came under fire on social media and in Conservative media for a reason completely unrelated to her official policies: her vegan Thanksgiving dinner.

The governor posted on her official social media channels pictures of her vegan Thanksgiving dinner, including dishes like sweet potato pie with a vegan crust, a tofu-based turkey, and mashed potatoes made with rice milk.

Almost instantly, conservatives began trolling Houndsler, making crude jokes about her diet, her appearance, and her general policies.

"Looks like a pile of sh-t," wrote one unoriginal poster.

"A plant-based turkey? No thanks," wrote another.

"That dinner looks about as good as your hair," wrote still another.

"Guess the tofu identifies as a turkey," added someone else.

Houndsler laughed off the criticism in a Friday morning post, saying she got humor out of reading the comments.

"I just browsed the comments for 30 seconds or so, but there were some amusing ones and some creative ones. And some that were really nasty and very unimaginative," said the governor.

Houndsler posted that she had Thanksgiving dinner at the home of a good friend in Danaecke, and that her meal would be vegan because she doesn't like animal cruelty and wants to reduce her carbon footprint.

"These birds (turkeys) are treated so cruelly in factor farms," said Houndsler. "And even if they're not from a factory farm, even if they're sustainably raised and free range and organic, they're still killed for their meat, which is morally wrong in my personal opinion. But I don't judge others. If you eat turkey for Thanksgiving, God bless you. Eat away. Enjoy your holiday and your dinner," she said in a short video.

"Eating meat, particularly beef but also poultry, contributes significantly to increased emissions and greenhouse gases that damage the ozone layer," Houndsler added. "So I choose to eat a plant-based diet. But everyone is free to eat however they want and to enjoy all the yummy Thanksgiving favorites they want. It's a personal choice and I invite you to make your personal choice based on your beliefs and values and dietary needs."

Conservative politicians didn't miss a chance to harpoon the governor, either.

"I would rather stab my eyes out with a turkey fork than eat that dinner," said Conservative state Sen. Andy Harron from Martindale. "But like the governor said, it's a personal choice. She chooses to eat plant-based, I choose to eat meat. That's the beauty of this country and freedom of expression."

Former Gov. Sam Baskingwood, who narrowly lost to Houndsler in a close three-way race with businesswoman Rosamond Burkes in 2024, did not weigh in on Houndsler's diet.

Baskingwood simply posted an image of himself enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with his family and friends in Elmhurst, and wished Ansleighans a Happy Thanksgiving.

Houndsler's vegan diet is just one more aspect of the new governor that has irked conservatives, particularly hard-line, right-wing conservatives.

The new governor -- Ansleigha's first NAT and first woman governor -- has already rankled Conservatives by issuing an executive order that allows transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice in public schools and buildings.

She issued another executive order that mandated all state vehicles be electric, and she signed still another executive order that recognized Ansleigha as an official refuge for Palestinian refugees who were displaced during the Gaza War.

Houndsler has taken Ansleigha's state government in a decidedly left-wing direction, a stark change from the state's previous 13 years of moderate Conservative leadership.

The governor has also signed tougher penalties for police brutality and has asked for more funding for abortion services for Ansleigha women, though her office prefers the term "people with uteruses."

Though it's still years away, Conservatives believe the governor's leftward lurch will help them regain the governorship in 2028.

"Agatha Houndsler is the poster girl for lunatic left-wing policies," said Harron, the state senator from Martindale. "When 2028 arrives, Conservatives will have a heyday reminding Ansleighans of all the loony left-wing policies she has put into place."

Houndsler has so far ignored the criticism and instead wrote on social media on Black Friday that she is "immensely grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Ansleigha as governor."

Kit McHenry eyes 2028 governor's race: sources

FAIRNS, Ver. -- Even though she was ousted from the Federal Senate in a contentious primary election -- a rarity for sitting federal senators -- former Conservative Sen. Kit McHenry is reportedly setting her sights on Veroche's governor's mansion.

Veroche just had a gubernatorial election last year, so the office won't be up for grabs until 2028.

And there are multiple potential Conservative candidates that could throw their hats into the ring. 

So it's a bit premature to start handicapping the 2028 race.

Still, sources close to McHenry -- who was a popular incumbent who lost the primary race to a renegade right-wing challenger, another former senator, John Bosworth -- say McHenry is considering running for governor in 2028.

"Several people have reached out to her and have urged her to run for governor," said one source, who asked for anonymity because they did not want to damage their friendship with the former senator. "And she's considering it," added the source.

McHenry, 64, served in the Senate since 2007 and was largely viewed as a moderate who worked bipartisanly with her senate colleagues.

That willingness to work with the other side, however, cost McHenry her Senate seat.

Bosworth, a more right-wing challenger, campaigned against McHenry aggressively, calling her a "faux conservative" who sided more with Nationalists than with her own party.

It was enough to push Bosworth past McHenry in the CNS primary, where he took 52% to McHenry's 48 percent, respectively.

In the general election, though, Bosworth fell short against NAT first-time candidate, engineer and stay-at-home mom Alex Tupperman of Collettasville. She defeated Bosworth 51.6% to 47.5 percent, respectively.

Many political commentators attributed Bosworth's loss, in part, to his caustic campaign against McHenry.

"A lot of moderate, middle-of-the-road Conservative voters just sat out that election," said Mark Apernell, a Conservative campaign consultant who has worked on multiple Veroche campaigns but was not involved in the 2024 senate race. "A lot of Conservatives were pissed off that John Bosworth railroaded Kit."

McHenry publicly acknowledged she was still upset over the matter, telling reporters she would not vote for Bosworth in the 2024 race, though McHenry said she would not vote for Tupperman either.

The political fallout from that contentious intra-party race continues.

But sources close to McHenry say the former senator is not ready to be done with politics yet.

"Kit is a servant. She is a leader. She was one of the best senators in the chamber. Senators from both parties looked to her to get deals made and to negotiate legislation," said fellow Veroche Conservative Sen. Niles Gilcrest. "I would be surprised if she just retires and quietly fades into the sunset. She has so much more to offer the people of Veroche."

Another anonymous source told GNN that McHenry is "seriously considering" the idea of running for governor in 2028, at the prompting of several friends and colleagues.

"She is definitely considering it. And a lot of people think she would be a great candidate."

Monomi Sen. Kerry Paul (C), a close friend of McHenry, said she is hopeful McHenry will run for either governor or for senate again.

"I know Kit McHenry. She is an amazing senator and an amazing leader. I really hope she'll run again for the Senate or for governor or something. She is an extraordinary person," said Paul.

If she does run for governor in 2028, McHenry will not have a clear path to the CNS nomination.

Former Gov. MacDonald "Mac" Griffin (C), who narrowly lost reelection in 2024 to Nationalist Nic Marcellinos, has ruled out another run.

But other Conservatives, like Gilcrest, Tiaguen Mayor Georgia Waldo Basson, businessman Al Paccioli, outspoken billionaire Bill Enos, former Lanakis Mayor Richard Scholinger, state Senate Minority Leader Mark Holworth, former Lt. Gov. Andy Hackett and Assemblyman Mike Dallenhall are all considered possible gubernatorial candidates.

Then, even if she makes it out of a crowded and tough CNS primary, McHenry will face an uphill battle ousting Marcellinos.

Veroche is a liberal state, and Conservative candidates must win over NAT and independent voters in addition to sweeping Conservative voters, no easy feat.

Still, McHenry has won in the past. She brings a lot of name recognition to the table. She's a proven fundraiser. She has a moderate record, which would help her win over moderate NAT voters and independents, and sources across the Veroche Conservative spectrum say McHenry would be suitable enough to bring hardline Conservatives and moderates together.

"If she does run, I think she has a fair chance," Conservative analyst Greg Stutzman told GNN.

In fact, Stutzman argued, getting through the primary election would probably be more difficult than defeating Marcellinos. 

"Assuming Marcellinos under-performs, which is a likely possibility, it probably won't be that difficult to convince voters to choose the Conservative nominee, so long as the nominee is someone who is palatable to Veroche voters," said Stutzman.

McHenry has not commented on the matter.

Her last public appearance was on Veterans Day, where she attended a memorial ceremony in her hometown of Fairns in northwest Veroche.

While she remains active on social media, the former senator has not posted about her political future. But she has congratulated the slate of new CNS senators from other states who have helped the CNS re-take the majority in the Senate.

"Sad I can't be apart of the new Conservative Senate Majority," McHenry wrote on X, formerly Twitter, last month. "But I'm so impressed by all the new Conservative senators and their passion to serve. I hope they move on their agenda quickly and with thoughtfulness."

Ted Silvan floundering in Monomi governor's race against popular Scott King

TRIETON, Mon. -- It's still a year away, but Monomi's governor's race is already receiving attention from pollsters, as popular Gov. Scott King (N) seeks reelection.

Though controversial due to his past personal life and allegations of sexual assault and harassment against women, King has overcome his previous scandals to become one of Grassadellia's most popular governors.

Top Conservatives have passed on a chance to challenge King in next year's gubernatorial election.

That leaves the state's CNS party with few viable choices.

The best-known candidate to have expressed interest in the race is Heydworth businessman Ted Silvan, who previously ran for Federal Senate in 2024 as a write-in candidate.

Silvan, a multi-millionaire retired tech entrepreneur, has criticized fellow Conservatives in the past for being to moderate.

He would be a stark contrast to King, a moderate Nationalist who has incorporated populist and even traditionally conservative policies into his platform.

A new poll from the University of Monomi shows King walloping Silvan in a potential match up, with King receiving 58% to Silvan's 38 percent, respectively.

The poll found that while Silvan retains strong support in rural, hard-right counties, he is struggling in moderate and urban counties.

In the state's largest county, Kingfisher -- which is home to one out of three Monomians -- Silvan gets just 35.7% compared to 60.6% for King.

Kingfisher County is usually a battleground between both parties, with the city of Trieton trending strongly liberal and suburbs trending in the CNS' favor.

Silvan has not announced an official campaign for governor, however, sources close to him say he is poised to enter the race.

His far-right politics, and his uncompromising personality, though, may hinder his success against a younger, more energetic, charismatic, and pragmatic King.

There are other Conservatives who may also seek the governor's seat. They include Sharon Osmorda, a MA from Devanough, state Sen. Mike Randall from northeast Trieton, and retired Navy Captain Lee Glennis of north central Trieton.

Former Govs. John Densy and Will Huxton have ruled out comeback bids, as have former Lt. Govs. Doug Aker and Nick Garringer.

Conservative Party leaders tried for months to persuade popular Federal Sen. Brooke Burnstein to join the governor's race, but Burnstein chose to seek reelection to the Senate last year instead.

Fellow Federal Sens. Riley "Rill" Stevens and Kerry Paul have also declined to run.

That leaves Silvan as the frontrunner, although the race is early and there is still plenty of time for another candidate to take the lead on the Conservative side.

On the NAT side, King, who previously fractured his party with his scandalous past, is not guaranteed a free ride to the general election.

Many Nationalists remain upset at King for dividing their party and for defeating NAT nominee Nathan Lister back in 2022 in a run-off election.

A Nationalist who also has the official backing of the Monomi Working Families Party, King lost the NAT's nomination in 2022 to Lister. However, King changed his affiliation to "Independent" and ran as a third-party candidate. 

Lister won the initial three-way race against King and Huxton, who was seeking reelection that year. Huxton was eliminated, leaving King and Lister to advance to the run-off, where King narrowly defeated Lister 52-48 percent, respectively.

That intra-party battle in 2022 has left many Nationalists angry at King, with many refusing to support him in 2026.

But while King has lost some supporters from his own party, he has gained many supporters from the Conservative side; voters who agree with King's pledge for no taxes on working-class workers, his commitment to crack down on illegal border crossings, and his "Monomi First" agenda.

Hardline Conservatives, like Silvan, say the governor has incorporated some conservative policies into his agenda, but he still is much more liberal than a Conservative governor would be.

"People say, 'Well, Scott King is securing the border. And he's against new taxes. And he supports a lot of Conservative policies.' My answer to that would be, 'OK, maybe that's all true. But he's still liberal on many other policy areas,' said Silvan in a recent radio interview in Heydworth.

"If we want a truly Conservative governor, then we should elect a true Conservative. Scott King is not a Conservative. He's a middle-of-the-road Nationalist. But he's still far more liberal than you or I are," said Silvan to right-wing radio host Michael George.

King supporters dispute that the governor is liberal, with his staff openly avoiding the term.

"Scott King is a proud Nationalist," said Deputy Chief of Staff Katy Peters. "Scott is proud of his NAT heritage and his working-class roots. He is proud to be a servant of the people who understands and fights for working-class Monomians. Governor King does not care about 'liberal' or 'conservative' labels. He just cares about getting things done for the hard-working people of Monomi."

While he is much more moderate than other Nationalists, King has, so far, retained widespread support from within his party, despite differing views and his previous scandals.

Sources from within Monomi's NAT circles say the reason is because King is popular with voters, and NAT leaders are reluctant to challenge a popular incumbent.

"For now, the state NAT party is sticking with him and backing him," said one source, who asked for anonymity so as to speak freely. "But they're not really sticking with him because they love Scott King. Many of our state's top Nationalists hate Scott King. But they know he's popular, and no one wants to go after a popular governor. So they're reluctantly sticking with him because they really have no real chance of dethroning him."

King's office declined to comment on a potential challenge from within his own party, only saying the governor "remains focused on delivering for the people of Monomi."

Indeed, King is one of the nation's most popular governors, with an October poll finding him with a 68% approval rating.

With high approval ratings, he's often mentioned as a possible future presidential candidate. For now, though, King remains committed to seeking reelection in his home state.

Unless another scandal opens up, or the economy tanks, Conservatives are left with few good options in their quest to unseat King.

"He's a popular leader, a great communicator, and people like him. Which is good for him and his party. It's bad news for Conservatives. But you know what, sometimes that happens. Sometimes a politician is very popular and difficult to beat and you just have to accept that and move on to other races where you actually have a chance of winning," said Kevin Glasner, a Conservative strategist from eastern Monomi.

King is the first NAT governor of Monomi since popular elections began back in the early 2000's. He's also the first unmarried governor, though his sordid personal life and his habit of dating attractive women and models has been openly discussed in the media. The bachelor governor has no children and is currently single, sources say, though "he is always dating," a close friend told GNN.

Conservatives announce special Senate Housing Committee, Nationalists form shadow committee

MAVOCKE -- Senate Majority Leader Jon Ralston (C-Asl.) is making housing his party's main focus as they take power in the Senate for the first time in more than a decade.

The chamber's top senator held a special press conference Friday morning with his Conservative colleagues to discuss the party's first steps in tackling the nationwide shortage of housing.

Declaring it "an emergency," Ralston said the party is looking to provide billions of dollars in funding to the states to build housing.

But rather than just allocating money, Conservatives also want to couple funding with incentives for builders, reducing fees and permitting, streamlining the application and approval process, and making environmental studies quicker and easier to pass.

"We got in this mess because of many reasons, but one of the main reasons is we have overly burdensome and redundant environmental laws, zoning laws, requirements for parking and greenspaces, and so on. That's why it takes builders five years or more sometimes to build an apartment complex or urban lofts. We have so many hoops for developer to jump through, and so many requirements, it just is insane," he told reporters.

Ralston announced a group of six Conservative senators to lead the party's housing push. They include: Jhana Schueler (Bie.), Scott Revard (Kln.), Frank Traetori (Rodd.), John Brandenhaus (POG), Andrew Stykes (Onk.) and Niles Gilcrest (Ver.).

Nationalists announced their own shadow group of six, with Minority Leader Debbie Madronas hand-picking Kallie Murray (Kln.), Tim Blakewell (Tri.), Serap Figaori (Ara.), John Paul Liffrey (POG), Aaron Tobias Griffith (Ver.) and Kay Hadid (Kens.) to work with their Conservative counterparts.

Ralston told reporters he never requested that Nationalists form a shadow housing group; Madronas did so on her own. However, the majority leader said the more senators working closely together, the better.

The bipartisan group of 12 will hold special hearings, conduct research into housing hindrances, and meet with housing and construction experts across the country over the coming months.

"Affordable housing is critical not just to our nation's economy, but also to basic human rights," said Madronas in a press conference last week.

Scott Revard, the newly-elected senator from Kalnier who owns a residential construction company, is expected to play a leading role in the efforts, along with fellow freshman senator John Brandenhaus, a realtor from POG.

"There are many reasons our housing situation is so upside down right now," said Brandenhaus in an interview with a local reporter. "But the point of this group isn't to just point the finger at people and blame them for the quagmire we're in. The point is to find solutions and make real progress and headway toward broadening our nation's housing supply and bringing down prices."

While the Senate's new focus on housing is welcomed by business and real estate groups, environmental groups have voiced caution.

"We all want more housing, particularly affordable housing for working-class Grassadellians and pensioners," said Emily DuFrant of the Grassadellian Environmental Council. "However, the answer isn't just to haphazardly build new houses and apartments. The answer isn't just to go on a building spree. Any construction of new housing needs to be environmentally safe and complement existing zoning and urban planning."

Meanwhile, right-wing politicians have been capitalizing on the nation's shortage of housing, with Remmington Sens. Mark Eisinger and Shaylene McCullough holding a "Build Baby Build" rally Saturday in their home state.

"For over a decade, the Nationalist Party controlled all branches of government and they allowed the housing situation to deteriorate to what it is today, where everyday, hard-working Grassadellians can't afford to buy a decent home," said McCullough. "That is changing now, because Conservatives are going to build new housing, we're going to make sure every Grassadellian family has the opportunity to own a home in a good neighborhood."

Wolmach considering gubernatorial run after stinging senate loss certified

SNOWDEN, March. -- After her legal disputes challenging the results of her 2024 senate re-election bid ended this week, outgoing federal Sen. Heidi Wolmach (N) is now reportedly turning her eyes to the 2026 governor's race, sources close to the senator told the GBC.

The sources, who did not want to be named because they were not permitted to speak to the media, said Wolmach is considering running for governor next year in what her close supporters have said would be "a political comeback" potentially.

Wolmach has not confirmed the rumors, but she hasn't denied them either. Multiple sources spoke with the GBC and all told the same story.

Conservative Gov. Mike Shannon is up for re-election next year in Marchenay, which is a perennial battleground state.

Shannon, an Evangelical Christian, enjoys strong support in the Conservative Party, but Nationalists are deeply opposed to his policies.

If Wolmach decides to challenge Shannon, it will be a difficult task.

She'd first have to make it through the NAT's primary election process.

Lt. Gov. Kevin Levenetti has already been quietly planning a run for governor. Levenetti has already secured support from many local and state NAT leaders and elected officials, and while he has not officially announced a campaign for governor, he has been a prolific fundraiser in the past.

He was widely seen as the favored candidate, with no viable challengers.

If Wolmach runs, she would be a formidable opponent, but she'd start far behind Levenetti, both with money and with building political support for her bid.

Earlier this week, state NAT activist and party elder Tom Hartwell also announced his candidacy for governor.

Hartwell almost won the NAT's nomination back in 2018, narrowly losing to then-Attorney General Dan Rattner, who went on to win the governorship.

Hartwell is more left-wing than Levenetti, and the is considerably older (73) than the current front-runner (Levenetti is 46). The differences between the two men are policy-related as much as generationally.

Another potential NAT candidate who could enter the fray is Mavocke businessman Tom Fortney. He, too, ran for governor back in 2018, finishing in third place behind Rattner and Hartwell.

Fortney is a wealthy tech CEO who has a vast personal fortune. He could self-fund a serious campaign if he wanted to. He has not expressed any interest in running for governor again, however.

Wolmach has been supportive of Levenetti in the past, calling him a friend. She has also campaigned for him and helped him raise money in past races.

But friends close to Wolmach say her stinging loss to Conservative Assemblywoman Marsha Dawes in the 2024 senate election has left Wolmach upset and eager to jump back into the political fight.

"She is not one to just sit by idly. She is a fighter. And if she thinks she can fight Conservatives best by running for governor, I think she'll do that. Or maybe she'll run for the Senate again in. I'm not sure. But I fully expect her to run again," said one source, again speaking anonymously.

Wolmach has refused to concede to Dawes, although she acknowledged her campaign had no legal options.

Dawes was crowned the winner after three recounts, taking just over 50% to Wolmach's almost 49 percent, respectively.

With each recount, Dawes gained ground over Wolmach.

Wolmach said she would end her legal challenges to the election, but she declined to concede to Dawes or to congratulate her.

"I refuse to acknowledge an election-counting process that I believe is corrupt and inaccurate," she said immediately following the Marchenay State Supreme Court's decision to reject her appeal.

Dawes declared victory and said it was time to move on.

"The first count found me to be the winner. And the next three recounts found the same thing. This election is settled. The people of Marchenay have spoken. It's time to move on and get to work governing our nation," said Dawes on Friday.

With Dawes' win certified, Conservatives officially now hold 50 seats to Nationalists' 45. One Democratic-Reformist, New Portsmouth Sen. Ayden Benning, caucuses with the NAT, putting the divide in power at 50-46.

It's a slim majority, but a huge turn-around from before last year's elections, when Conservatives held just 42 seats to the NAT's 54.

Ansleigha Sen. Jon Ralston has taken the title of Senate Majority Leader, while Damoign Nationalist Debbie Madronas was challenged for her party's leadership but ultimately prevailed. She will stay on as the Minority Leader.

********************

Election Results -- Official -- Marchenay Federal Senate

Marsha Dawes (CNS)	50.13%	4,451,945
Heidi Wolmach* (NAT)	48.95%	4,346,953
Other	0.92%	82,014

*=incumbent

Madronas survives leadership challenge

MAVOCKE -- After months of debate and introspection, Nationalist senators have voted to retain their leader, Damoign Sen. Debbie Madronas.

Three of Madronas' colleagues put their names forward to challenge her for the party's top position. Madronas has led the Senate NAT since 2017.

Many NAT members were unhappy with the drubbing the party took in the 2024 elections, and senators from across the political spectrum felt it was time for new leadership after Conservatives retook control of the senate.

But after the fourth round of voting, Madronas prevailed, winning the votes of 28 senators compared to 18 votes for her closest opponent, North Ceona's Anthony Campanelli.

Marcheny Sen. Heidi Wolmach, whose senate re-election race is still being recounted, did not participate in the party voting process, although she voiced her vociferous support for Madronas on social media and in TV interviews.

Onakiah Sen. Jon Yannes, who has led the NAT's fundraising efforts in recent years, was the first candidate to be eliminated in the first round. He was followed by South Ceona's pro-labor Mick O'Toole.

Yannes and O'Toole spoke to their fellow senators before the anonymous voting began. Yannes pointed to his fundraising credentials and his refusal to negotiate with Conservatives as a winning formula. 

O'Toole, who is outspoken about his pro-labor policies, pledged to return to a more old-school style, saying he would negotiate with Conservatives while also pushing a pro-worker agenda.

Campanelli said yesterday in a TV interview that it was time for the party to have a newer, younger leader. 

"We just lost seven seats and the Conservatives retook the chamber. We can't keep doing what we're doing. The Grassadellian people have spoken, and they spoke loudly and clearly. They are not happy with our party. It's time for our party to chart a new path forward and pick a new leader. It's time for a fresh start," he told the GBC.

Madronas acknowledged the party took a hit in the last elections, and said she would stand down if her fellow NAT senators voted her out. But she said only she can go toe-to-toe with Conservative Senate Majority Leader Jon Ralston.

"Did we have a difficult election? Yes, we did. And we lost some great senators from our side, which is deeply disappointing. But we can't stop the fight. And the voters did not reject the Nationalist Party, they voted their pocketbook. The economy was struggling, Conservatives had the momentum, and people went along with that. I disagree with the notion that the voters rejected the Nationalist Party and all our policies," said Madronas at a press conference in Mavocke on Thursday.

In the end, the loyalty that Madronas has built over the last eight years helped her overcome concerns about the party's post-election image.

"Debbie Madronas is a fearless, strong, bold leader. She has served the people of Damoign and the people of this country well. She has a passion for government and social welfare, and she is the strong leader we need to push back against a radical Conservative agenda," said Wolmach, one of Madronas' most ardent supporters.

At his own press conference, Ralston both criticized and praised Madronas.

Voters swung against the NAT in favor of Conservatives because Madronas "failed to deliver" on promises she made when she was majority leader.

"The Nationalists promised to pass climate change legislation, they never did. They promised healthcare reform, they never passed it. They promised a labor bill, they never got around to it. The voters were tired of empty promises. The voters realized the Conservative Party has an agenda and will pursue that agenda, while the NAT is just about opposing the other side," said Ralston. "Grassadellians want their government to get things done, and we will get things done."

Despite their "severe" political differences, Ralston complimented Madronas and said he anticipates a collegial relationship with his counterpart.

"We've worked together for several years now. Debbie and I disagree on just about every single issue. And we have some serious disagreements. And she irks me often, and I irk her often. So there is a level of discord between us, but I also know she's a strong legislator and she leads her team well. That's why she won re-election as the NAT leader. Her party views her as a leader and she commands the ship. So, while I may disagree with her strongly, I do respect her position and her authority in her own party. She commands strong party loyalty and that's because she runs her internal operations pretty well."

After the vote, Madronas said she was "honored and humbled" to be re-elected NAT leader by her colleagues.

"I understand that we had a tough election last time around, and I know things need to change. We've had discussions about that among the NAT caucus, and I have listened. We will be changing some things. We will evolve and better ourselves and be responsive to the Grassadellian people. We are a party that is on the move, and even though we are now in the minority, we are not a weak party, we are a strong party. And I am happy to stand strongly and firmly against what I consider to be a harmful Conservative agenda."

Hannah Meade survives close call in Wilkonshire re-election race

NEWBERRY, Wilk. -- Wilkonshire Secretary of State Hannah Meade (N) has resurrected her political life after an extremely close call in her race for re-election.

Meade ran for re-election last year, and was widely presumed to win re-election easily. 

In a shock twist on election night, Conservative Gina Kertousin actually led Meade in the vote counting, something pundits and experts from both political parties did not see coming.

Even the Kertousin campaign was stunned. "We really were blown away," said Carol Carnes, campaign manager for Kertousin, told reporters a week after election night.

But after weeks of recounts, and litigation, Meade was finally declared the winner on Friday.

Additional ballots from overseas and military voters, and ballots that were cast at the last second before the voting deadline, all buoyed Meade back into the lead.

She ended up winning re-election by a sliver: her eventual lead was just around 26,000 votes out of more than 6.4 million cast.

In response to the latest tally, the Kertousin campaign said it is still weighing its legal options, and may continue litigation.

But state Conservative Party leaders are inclined to let the latest count stand.

"It's highly unlikely we'd win, and it would not be good PR for the party or for Gina," said Wilkonshire state party Vice Chairwoman Galena Kidman.

Kertousin herself has not publicly since the latest election results were released Friday, but sources close to her say she is slated to make a statement tomorrow.

"Even if she does end up losing this race, by a thimble-full, it's still quite impressive, because the polls had her way down," said Kidman. "[Kertousin] has a reason to be proud of herself and her campaign."

Still, a loss is a loss. Coming close doesn't matter in elections. If Meade's win stands, it means Meade will continue in the position she has held since 2015, when she was appointed by then-Governor Caroline Jepsey to replace Secretary of State Jan Van Ness, who won election to the Federal Senate.

Meade has remained popular since her appointment. She previously beat Kertousin 65%-35% in 2016, and  56%-42% in 2020.

It's unclear what a third loss will mean for Kertousin, who raised far more money this time around than her two other previous tries for the office.

She seems to have inherited Wilkonshire's "Conservative woman curse," a phenomenon that was identified and labeled after former Christon Mayor Tara Hadley lost two close races for governor, and then lost a third attempt in 2024 in the CNS primary.

"For whatever reason, Conservative women have not fared well in Wilkonshire," said outgoing federal Sen. Bob Mellon. "I don't know why. I think all the female candidates we've put forth have been strong candidates with impressive resumes and great ideas. I think it's more that they have run against strong candidates."

Nationalist women have had success in Wilkonshire. Former Gov. Caroline Jepsey was elected to two terms. Sen. Jan Van Ness continues to serve the state. Former Sens. Sylvea Stone and Terry Branlin were elected but then lost re-election. However, both are still involved in state politics and considering future runs for office.

After three consecutive losses, it will be difficult for Kertousin to move forward politically. Investors and donors are harder to come by after multiple losses. And state party leaders will be looking for a fresh face in 2028 when the secretary of state position is up for grabs next.

Kertousin could do what many unsuccessful statewide candidates have done. She could run for a lesser office, such as a mayoralty, a National Assembly seat, or a county commissioner position.

The Conservative former county clerk from Merrill County is only 56 years old, so she still has time to cement her political legacy and move on from her three disappointing losses.

Regardless, Kertousin's unexpectedly strong performance is something for Conservatives in the state to celebrate. 

The party has never held the secretary of state position in Wilkonshire, and will be itching to claim it in 2028.

All this is assuming there is no further litigation, which is still a possibility. However, most Conservative political operatives and politicians GNN spoke with believe that is unlikely.

For her part, Meade wrote on her "X" account (formerly Twitter) that she is "beyond honored" to be re-elected to her post.

She acknowledged "the unusually close nature of this election," but said she will "continue to work for all Wilkonshireans, regardless of political party or affiliation."

Meade's fortunes are better than her fellow Nationalists, who lost the governorship, lieutenant governorship and attorney generalship.

If her win holds, she will be the sole Nationalist in Wilkonshire's state executive positions.

***Wilkonshire Secretary of State Election*** -- Updated Results:

Hannah Meade (N)	49.98%	3,221,994
Gina Kertousin (C)	49.57%	3,195,238
Other	0.45%	29,008
	TOTAL:	6,446,240

Halver wins Trinton AG race easily, defeating liberal incumbent

PORT ALICE, Tri. -- Former Trinton Attorney General Troy Halver will be heading back to his old office.

Trinton Secretary of State Adrianne Rodgers confirmed Halver won back his old position, and he did so easily.

Halver defeated liberal incumbent Damon Garcia-Pererra (N) by a margin of 54.66% to Garcia-Pererra's 44.85 percent, respectively.

Halver, a Nationalist who switched his party affiliation to Independent, ran with the support of Trinton's Conservative Party, which agreed not to run a Conservative candidate against Halver and Garcia-Perrera.

The tough-on-crime Nationalist, who has appealed to Conservative and moderate, blue collar voters who value public safety, ran the table in Trinton's most populous counties.

Halver pulled off an impressive 61%-38% win in conservative Port Alice County, his adopted home county, where he now resides.

He also won big in right-leaning Southshore County, where he won 58%-41%, respectively.

He achieved smaller victories in Oceanview, Grandley and Merceda Counties, but all three counties typically trend liberal, so a win for a right-leaning candidate such as Halver is significant.

At a press conference on election night in Chesterhead, southern Port Alice County, Halver told reporters the election results prove voters want a new direction forward on crime.

"Tonight, voters resoundingly showed they want law and order in Trinton again," said Halver. "The woke policies of leftist politicians, free bail, catch and release, multiple strikes instead of just three strikes...the voters have rejected these policies that liberal Nationalist politicians put into place. And starting tomorrow, we are going to reverse all of those disastrous policies."

Halver's words were received with thundering applause by attendees to his election night party. In fact, the applause was so loud and strong, he had to pause for more than 30 seconds at one point while the audience let out their excitement.

Over at his election night gathering in northeast Williamstown, Damon Garcia-Perrera conceded the race, but he rejected the idea that Halver won in a landslide.

"He only won because the Conservatives backed him. And he pulled some traditional NAT voters. Had the Conservatives not backed him and agreed not to run a candidate of their own, Troy Halver would not have won. I just think that's worth mentioning. This idea that he won a massive mandate, it's just not true. He won, but he did so with unusual circumstances," said Garcia-Perrera.

Conservatives accused the outgoing attorney general of being a bad sport.

"Damon's just pissed he lost. It's classic sour grapes attitude. He lost and he can't admit he lost fair and square," said Kevin DeWight, a conservative political operative who has worked on multiple statewide Conservative campaigns, but did not work for Troy Halver this election.

The celebration at the Brasswood Golf and Country Club in Chesterhead, where Halver held his campaign party, went late into the early morning hours. Halver himself left the party around midnight and went "straight to bed," he told reporters the next morning.

"I need my rest because we have so much work to do, and I want to hit the ground running."

Halver's election makes him the first person to serve as attorney general, vacate the office, and then return to it.

Conservative Secretary of State Trip Kellet achieved the same status when he defeated, by a more modest margin, Nationalist Secretary of State Adrianne Rogers (N).

Trinton's state government will now be led by conservative men, although Halver continues to identify as a Nationalist, but "an independent Nationalist," he told reporters last week.

He has declined to say if he will switch parties and officially join the CNS Party.

Tom Jamber concedes Trinton governor's race: 'I may have lost this match, but I am still in the game'

CRISTO COLONADO, Tri. -- After weeks of recounting, Nationalist Assemblyman Tom Jamber has finally conceded the Trinton governor's race to Conservative businessman Jim Valoix.

The race has been close from the start, and the first count of ballots found Valoix ahead by about 40,000 votes out of more than 4.9 million votes cast.

Jamber and the Trinton Nationalist Party immediately called for a recount and a hand-canvassing of the votes.

Trinton Secretary of State Adrianne Rodgers (N) released the latest tally of votes, after weeks of counting and legal disputes. The latest numbers include all overseas and military votes, whereas the original count had not yet included all of those ballots.

The recounts did little to change the outcome. In fact, Valoix narrowly expanded his lead, receiving 50.05% to Jamber's 49.17 percent, respectively.

At a press conference Saturday morning in his home district in northeast Williamstown, Jamber said he was "disappointed to say the least," but that he recognized the hand recount of ballots, which is considered the most time-consuming but also most accurate way to tabulate election results, were not in his favor.

"I want to thank the people of Trinton for hanging in there for the past few weeks, as we have had a very close election that has required a hand recount. I know it's time-consuming. I know it's been frustrating to not know for weeks who our state's next governor was going to be. But I thank you all for hanging in there and being patient. And I thank Secretary Rodgers for ensuring an accurate count of the ballots," said Jamber.

Earlier Saturday morning, Jamber called Valoix and conceded the race, he told reporters. 

"As you know, this campaign has been very ugly and very bitter with a lot of personal attacks against me. So, it has been a tough campaign. But we had a pleasant and cordial conversation. I wished him well. I asked him to make good on his pledge to work bipartisanly. I asked him to include Nationalist legislators in his decisions and his policy-making. And I asked him to make sure the radical far-right of the Conservative Party is constrained and leashed during his tenure," said Jamber.

The concession was a painful one for Jamber, and not his first. He previously ran for governor back in 2020, narrowly losing to then-incumbent Marcus Edinough (DR).

"It does hurt to lose. I think it hurts to lose no matter who you are or what party you belong to," said Jamber, when asked about his feelings surrounding his loss. "But the people of Trinton have spoken, and they have chosen to go a different direction, and I have to respect that. The Nationalist Party has to respect that. And frankly, we failed. We should have done a better job of connecting with the voters. And that's really on me, as the leader and the torch-bearer of our party, I own that loss. So, we have work to do over the next few months as we dissect what happened and what went wrong in this race and how we can fix things for next time around," said Jamber.

For now, he will go back to representing his heavily liberal, central Trinton district in the National Assembly. He told reporters he is uncertain about his political future.

"I really don't know what I'll do in the future or if I'll run for statewide office again. I really can't tell you because I truly don't know. I haven't even thought about that yet," said Jamber. "But I'm going to keep serving in the Assembly, serving my neighbors in my district. And I can promise you one thing, I will not stop fighting for Trinton and for progressive values. Just because I lost this race doesn't mean I'm going to stick my tail between my legs and run away and cower. I will continue to fight. I will continue to work with and cultivate new liberal leaders who will be the future of our state. And I will continue to stand up to Conservatives here in Trinton and down in Mavocke when they trample on the rights and freedoms of the Grassadellian people."

The defiant Jamber continued: "I may have lost this match, but I am still in the game."

Further north in Port Alice, Governor-elect Jim Valoix held a press conference, too, at one of his luxury office buildings in the city's central business district.

Valoix thanked Jamber for conceding. "We had a nice chat, he was gracious, and I wish him the best of luck as he continues to serve the people of his district," said Valoix.

The governor-elect also laid out his agenda as he takes the reins of state government.

"We're going to focus on the economy, bringing jobs to our state, reducing and cutting regulations so businesses can thrive and expand. We're going to focus on cutting regulations for housing, so that developers can build new houses and we have more housing options for Trintonians. We're going to get rid of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) policies that have harmed our state government and have replaced top talent with affirmative action hires. We're going to fix our roads and expand our roads so Trintonians aren't stuck in traffic for hours at a time each day. And we're going to reduce taxes, so businesses can expand and families have more money in their bank accounts," said Valoix, though he gave few details on exactly how he intends to implement all those policies.

Valoix said he "will work with anyone who is on the right side of policy, including Nationalists."

"I've seen what one-party rule does to a state. For the last few decades, that's what we've had here in Trinton. Nationalists running the show and shutting out the minority. I don't plan to govern that way. I plan to listen to everybody who will talk to me, and then go from there."

When he takes office next Monday, Valoix will become the state's first Conservative governor in modern history since statewide elections began back in the early 2000's.

Valoix will also become the first governor from northern Trinton, and at age 76, he will become the oldest governor in Trinton's history.

Trinton is a historically heavily NAT state, although moderate Conservatives have had some success.

But the governor-elect's win was even more astonishing given his track record in elections. He previously, unsuccessfully ran for governor three times: first in 2012, when he lost 41% - 58% to Nationalist Mark De Auonne, then again in 2016, when he just barely finished third in a three-way race against Nationalist Troy Halver and Democratic-Reformist Marcus Edinough, and again in 2020, when Valoix ran for the CNS nomination for governor but lost out in the primary to former CNS Sen. Greg Baxter.

Despite his negative record running for office, Valoix clawed his way back to win the CNS party's nomination in 2024, beating out a score of other well-known Conservative candidates.

And even though Trinton leans heavily to the left, lower turnout among NAT voters helped Valoix clinch victory in the general election. He won most of the rural counties of central and southern Trinton that normally favor Conservatives, but he also won urban counties such as Twixlow, Hampton-Doven, Kelleyville, Port Alice and Southshore.

Two months before the election, a poll found Valoix leading in the liberal stronghold of Oceanview County, the state's most populous. In the end, Valoix lost Oceanview County, but only by a 51%-48% margin, respectively.

Jamber won the traditionally left-leaning counties of Grandley (Tornboro) and Merceda, home to the South Bay communities of Sloane, Kinslerville and Plymouth.

Valoix's win means Nationalists will likely be shut out of the governor's office for another four years, after eight years of Marcus Edinough (DR) leading the state.

It's unclear if Valoix's win is a sign of more permanently competitive elections in Trinton, or just anomalous downturn in NAT support among Trinton's voters.

Regardless, Valoix is poised to make Trinton a more business-friendly state, likely to follow in the footsteps of Trinton's neighboring Conservative-led states, Lial and Kalnier.

While turnout was lower in some NAT strongholds around the state, turnout statewide was still at 81 percent, which is high for Trinton. The state has consistently had one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country.

--------------------------------------------------------------

**Trinton Governor's Race -- Final Election Results**

Jim Valoix (C)	50.05%	2,777,134
Tom Jamber (N)	49.17%	2,728,336
Other	0.79%	43,685
	TOTAL:	5,549,155