Wolmach wins Marchenay governor's primary

MADAGEN, Mar. -- A divided Marchenay Nationalist Party has chosen its nominee for governor, and the front-runner did not get the win.

Initially billed as a long-shot, former federal Sen. Heidi Wolmach's (N) late entry into the governor's race ended up paying dividends for her, as elections officials officially certified her as the winner of the state NAT's nomination.

The outcome was close, with Wolmach pulling in 51% to Levenetti's 49%, respectively. Marchenay Secretary of State Ari Kavarnath reported voter turnout to be lower than usual, at 15 percent.

Wolmach jumped in the race early this year -- months after Lt. Gov. Kevin Levenetti (N) had already declared his candidacy.

After losing reelection to the Senate, Wolmach was reportedly depressed and frustrated, according to friends and close associates.

She quickly turned her eyes to the governor's race, where Levenetti was already well-established, had raised over $3 million, and had already lined up the support of hundreds of local and state NAT officials.

When Wolmach filed to run for governor, many fellow Nationalists expressed anger and annoyance, since Levenetti was already well-positioned to win the party's nomination.

Many political insiders dismissed the former senator's campaign as too little, too late.

Despite the criticism and the daunting odds against her, Wolmach soldiered on with her underdog campaign.

She caught criticism from Conservatives when she said, in a radio interview, that, as a woman, she brought a unique perspective to the governor's race.

She cast Levenetti as "nice enough," but also "too nice" to take on Conservative incumbent Gov. Mike Shannon, who is running for reelection in the fall.

"The Marchenay NAT needs a fighter, a warrior. Someone who will get in the trenches and fight these Conservative ideologues with everything they have. And that's me! That's what I've already done in the Senate and what I will do if I get the chance to go up against Mike Shannon," said Wolmach at a campaign appearance in her home county of Snowden, just west of Madagen.

Levenetti initially downplayed Wolmach's candidacy.

"I was the first person to enter this race. I have a strong record as lieutenant governor, as a state representative. I'm focused on the fall election," said a confident Levenetti at a press conference in Rowe County, northeast of Madagen, back in April.

The race between the two candidates stayed mostly civil. Both refrained from personal attacks on their opponent.

But in the final weeks of the campaign, Wolmach began drawing in more money through fundraising, with much of her campaign donations coming from out of state.

Levenetti, too, received large donations from out of state sources, as the race became somewhat nationalized as a referendum on the NAT's path forward: either a hard-left path, which Wolmach championed, or a moderate, pragmatic path, which Levenetti embodied.

The race also came down to age, gender and rural versus urban.

Older voters, woman and urban voters favored Wolmach, while younger voters, which constitute a smaller portion of the primary electorate, men and rural voters broke strongly for Levenetti.

At his campaign celebration in west Madagen, a visibly disappointed Levenetti congratulated Wolmach on her win. He promised not to contest the results, despite the close results.

"I have to hand it to Heidi. She got into this race very late, she didn't have any money. But she campaigned on her ideas, on her strengths, on her commitment to the people of Marchenay, and she pulled off what a lot of people thought was impossible: beating me," said a smiling Levenetti.

The lieutenant governor pledged to support Wolmach in the general election, as she faces an uphill battle to unseat the popular Shannon.

Just across town in downtown Madagen, Wolmach basked in the glow of the cameras, as her supporters gave her a nearly five-minute long standing ovation when the results were announced.

"We did it, we did it, we did it!" exclaimed an exuberant Wolmach. "And I couldn't have done it without each and every one of you, who donated money, who gave your time, who knocked on doors, who talked with neighbors. I am forever indebted to you all," said an emotional Wolmach.

She quickly turned her attention -- and her fire -- on Shannon.

"Tonight, we celebrate," said Wolmach. "But tomorrow, we get right back to work, because we know there is so much to do. We are running against a radical Conservative campaign machine. They have already tried to take away a woman's right to choose, they have already rolled back protections for trans and LGBTQ Marchenayans. They have already rolled back environmental protections. They've already cut taxes for the wealthy while leaving working class and poor Marchenayans behind. They've done so much damage. But we are coming, Marchenay. We are coming to save the day. But I'll be honest, it's going to be tough, and we need to be prepared for battle, because this is going to be the fight of our lives."

Shannon congratulated Wolmach on her win. The governor told reporters gathered around him that he was "surprised she pulled it off," but he is "looking forward to a spirited but respectful race."

He dismissed Wolmach's "hyperbolic" victory speech.

"If you listen to her when she's campaigning and speaking to her people," said Shannon, "she uses terms like 'battle,' 'war,' 'fight.' I mean, she acts like this election is a literal war. I think it's a little much."

"Look, we have differences, of course. She and I disagree strongly on policy. But this is not a war. It's a contest. It's a campaign. We each get the chance to put our records and our ideas up against the other's, and we let the voters of Marchenay decide who has the best record and the best vision for our state. I'm confident they'll choose me," said Shannon.

Both national parties have already raised millions of dollars for what is expected to be a hard-fought election. 

Wolmach, a darling of the Nationalist Party, is a prolific fundraiser, though she frequently lands herself and her party in hot water through her often controversial comments.

Shannon is less outspoken and less charismatic. An average fundraiser, he has still managed to pull in an impressive $8.1 million, with about half of that total coming from large corporations and corporate donors, and the other half coming from small, individual contributors.

But the governor is popular, according to polls. Marchenay's economy is one of the best in the nation, with job increases in auto manufacturing, software and AI, and aerospace. 

While a social conservative, Shannon has focused largely on economic issues and kitchen table matters during his term.

He did sign a bill putting some mild restrictions on abortion in the state, including extending the waiting period for women to obtain an abortion after consultation with a doctor. And requiring minors to obtain permission from a parent or guardian before having an abortion procedure.

And he did issue an executive order that mandates that people should use the bathroom of their gender assigned at birth, with mild penalties for violators.

Overall, the governor has focused on business recruitment, lowering taxes, and lowering government spending. He's also relaxed environmental laws, promoting logging, mining and oil exploration, particularly in the northern third of the state, where he hails from.

Polls show Shannon will be difficult to beat. However, Marchenay is fairly evenly matched between Conservative and Nationalist voters. So any contest can be close.

Experts and insiders say the outcome of the race will largely come down to voter turnout, as well as personalities.

"Heidi Wolmach has a strong personality. Some people love her, a lot of people hate her. So, the question is, will people choose someone really divisive over someone who is generally a pretty easy-to-get-along with guy," said Mark Jacobs, a Conservative campaign consultant, who is not involved in the race.

On the NAT side, James Comer, an NAT strategist, says Mike Shannon's "boring" personality and Heidi Wolmach's "energy" may be the ultimate determiner.

"The voters want someone who will get things done. Heidi Wolmach might be a bitch, but she gets shit done," said Comer. "Mike Shannon is a nice guy and he's quiet and reserved. But is he going to fight hard for the people of Marchenay? Those are the questions that Marchenayans are going to have to ask themselves this election."

***Unofficial Election Results -- Marchenay Primary Election -- Governor***

15% Turnout	1,613,329 total votes	49.02%	50.98%				#	790,847	822,482
		Levenetti	Wolmach					Levenetti	Wolmach
		49.02%	50.98%				# Total Votes:	1,613,329
								100%

Kelly attracting large crowds in Biereland

BAR GREEN, Bie. -- Though he's been massively outspent and lacks the name recognition and support of state leaders, Conservative candidate for Biereland governor Chris Kelly is garnering a lot of attention in his uphill effort to secure his party's nomination for governor.

Kelly, a 43-year-old political newcomer and little known sports executive from southeastern Farnham County, is running for the CNS nomination against a Goliath opponent -- former Gov. Ben Jordan.

Jordan has raised $4.3 million, Kelly has raised just $1.9 million. 

Many national and state Conservative leaders have rallied behind Jordan, while Kelly has received a few endorsements from a handful of prominent Conservatives.

And yet, the younger Kelly is attracting attention, not just in Biereland but nationally.

He's said that he respects Jordan, but the time for a new, younger Conservative leader is now. Jordan, 73, is running for a third term. He previously served as governor from 2015 to 2023. Before that, he served two terms as the state's attorney general.

And crowds are responding to Kelly. Speaking at the Young Conservatives Conference at the Climate Zone Arena in downtown Brookings last week, Kelly was front-and-center before more than 4,000 young CNS activists gathered from across the country. They applauded as Kelly spoke about the importance of the free market, low taxes and smaller government.

"Ben Jordan has done a good job, but we are entering a new era of radical Nationalist politicians who want to steer our country to socialism, to radical transgender theory, to radical social policies. We don't need an elderly candidate leading the fight against all that. We need a younger candidate from the next generation who can rise to the occasion and lead today's Gen Z and Millennials in the fight," said Kelly. 

He received a standing ovation at the end of his speech.

Of course, the youthful audience at the YCC was stacked in Kelly's favor.

At various stops around the state, though, Kelly's crowds have been smaller than the YC Conference, but still impressive.

He pulled in over 60 people in the small town of Wisen, population 300, in north-central Biereland.

And in Berringer, he pulled in more than 300 people at a community forum that usually only attracts a few dozen attendees.

In Kensington, hundreds of people came out to hear him as he walked and spoke with the public in downtown.

And on social media, the candidate, a Millennial himself, is getting thousands of views on popular social media apps.

Kelly's presence on social media, where he often posts selfies and produces his own content, is unmatched by Jordan, who has staff that manage his socials.

"There's a clear age gap between these two candidates," says Peter Green, a political sociologist who is studying the race. "And you're seeing that in the energy and the media savviness of Chris Kelly."

The Jordan campaign dismisses Kelly as "an also-ran," as Jordan called him last week in a press conference.

"Chris Kelly is a nice kid," Jordan said. "But he doesn't have the experience, he doesn't have the network and connections, he doesn't have the money, and he really doesn't have any accomplishments to speak of."

Kelly acknowledges that beating Jordan would "be like David beating Goliath," as he told a reporter last week in a sit-down interview in between campaign appearances.

As he ate a brown-bag lunch at a picnic table at a food truck lot in Sanderson, a small town in north-central Biereland, Kelly admitted he is out-gunned by Jordan's money and campaign infrastructure.

"He definitely has the upper hand in this contest, no doubt about that," he said. "But what was I supposed to do? Just defer to Ben Jordan and let him run again? That's what everyone else has done. That's what all the other Conservatives in this state have done. We have a lot of people who make great Conservative governors, but nobody wanted to run against Ben Jordan. Everyone just deferred to him.

"Well, the problem with that is the polling shows Ben Jordan can't beat [incumbent Gov.] Joel Gruenwalder. So, we can defer to Ben Jordan. But then we lose to Joel Gruenwalder. Would you rather defer to a veteran candidate who is revered in this party and Conservatives in Biereland love Ben Jordan. But would you rather defer to him or beat Joel Gruenwalder? I'd rather win in December, personally," said Kelly.

Polls have shown a close hypothetical contest between Jordan and Gruenwalder (N), with Gruenwalder narrowly leading Jordan.

Kelly also trails Gruenwalder in the polls, although many voters polled say they've never heard of him before.

"There is a name recognition issue that we have to overcome. But I think if we have the party behind us and all the money that comes with that, we can get our name out there and give voters a real option. A lot of people would vote for me without even knowing me because they're just so sick of the NAT and these liberal policies coming out of Brookings," said Kelly.

The Gruenwalder campaign has not commented on the CNS primary, although political action committees (PACs) associated with Gruenwalder and the Nationalist Governors Association (NATGA) have reportedly been quietly supporting Jordan in the CNS primary race.

NATGA has dropped two TV commercials praising Jordan's conservative credentials. And a pro-NAT PAC has even donated to Jordan's campaign.

Jordan has said he will return the money from the NAT-affiliated PAC, although his campaign has not done so yet.

Regardless of who wins on the CNS side, it will be a difficult race for Conservatives.

Biereland is a center-right state, but Gruenwalder, a moderate, has deftly avoided contentious social issues. Polls show many Conservative voters approve of many of his policies.

"I don't see Joel Gruenwalder as someone who is really hated by Conservatives," said Green, who has analyzed many governors race in the past and present. "Joel Gruenwalder is a pretty middle-of-the-road guy. He may be a Nationalist and he may lean to the left, but he's not a Ramon Ramos or a Jenna Duvan," said Green, referring to two of the more liberal governors in other states, POG and Damoign, respectively.

The economy also seems to be doing fairly well in Biereland, after a post-pandemic burst of growth. And Gruenwalder has eschewed raising taxes, except a small increase on large corporations.

"Joel Gruenwalder is keeping Biereland's economy running and strong," said campaign spokesperson Cary Gilders. "Joel is focused on bringing new industry to Biereland, diversifying our economy, bringing living-wage jobs to our state, and strengthening our economic development package that will attract new businesses."

The governor focuses on the economy every week in his frequent social media posts.

For Kelly, the current governor is "okay."

"But we could do better," said Kelly. "I want to give not only the Conservative voters of Biereland another choice, but the people of Biereland a choice too. I believe in freedom, liberty, the free market, freedom of ideas and school choice and freedom of health. I think a lot of Bierelanders support those ideas, and I'd love to stack my policies up against Joel Gruenwalder's and let the people decide."

The Biereland primary election is scheduled for August 4.

Duvan didn't want Zeme as running mate, leaked emails show

GRASS. CITY -- Damoign Gov. Jenna Duvan (N) wanted to pick a more exciting running mate in her 2024 reelection campaign, a trove of leaked emails revealed.

The emails, between Duvan and her top campaign staff and advisors, reportedly show Duvan complaining about her running mate Jeff Zeme (N).

Duvan wanted a more outgoing and popular running mate, but ultimately chose Zeme because he was "boring" and "practical," according to the emails.

"He [Zeme] is boring and has no flair. I'd much rather have someone more exciting running next to me, but he's a safe pick politically, and his boringness counters my big personality," wrote the governor in an email to campaign chair Rick Kulley back in August 2024.

Other emails reveal Duvan calling Zeme "unexciting," "stiff," and "nerdy."

"But that's a good thing, because I have a reputation as being sexy and showy, and having a boring nerd next to me looks more down to earth," the governor said to chief campaign communications director Sarah Marshall Stevens.

Not all her comments were negative, however. 

Duvan praised Zeme for sticking by her and being loyal.

"Jeff is a nice guy who is always loyal and always has my back. In the end, that's what you need most in a running mate," said Duvan in an email to her campaign attorney, Vickie Floyd.

The emails were leaked by an anonymous source at the progressive Graffiti Upwork.

Asked about the emails Friday, Duvan apologized and said she had already spoken to Zeme.

"You know, Jeff and I had a conversation about this a long time ago before we even became running mates. I was honest with him and frank with him about our appearances and the public's perceptions of us. And I did say some rude things about him. I didn't say them in a purposely rude way, but they came across rude and hurtful. And for that, I apologize to my good friend Jeff Zeme. I've apologized to him in private earlier this week, because I'm just so embarrassed with how it came across and how people perceived those comments," said the governor.

"The truth is, Jeff Zeme may not be the most exciting and exuberant politician out there. He's maybe not the most engaging or inspiring or a captivating speaker. But you know what? He's a great guy. He's a loyal guy. He knows policy like no one else I know. He is intelligent, he is committed, he is a team player, and he gives me the best advice. And really, I would not be where I am today without his loyal friendship and partnership," she said.

Zeme was asked about the emails in a radio interview with 4LocalLive on Tuesday.

"She's called me a 'nerd' and 'boring' to my face before," said Zeme, laughing. "It's really not news. Everyone knows I'm sort of nerdy and not the most charismatic. And I think you have to remember when you're running for office and choosing a running mate, like Jenna has done, you have to consider how the other person appears and looks and acts and how their public perception is. Politics is all about appearance and perception. If you have somebody too flashy or too showy who seems superficial and materialistic, that can really hurt you with voters. Sometimes the boring guy is the better choice," said Zeme.

He added that he has forgiven Duvan and the two share a close relationship.

"She comes over and has dinner at my house with my wife and kids. I meet with her multiple times a week. She asks for my advice, I give her my advice. And ultimately, she does whatever she wants because she's the governor and she has the final say," said Zeme.

It's unclear who, exactly, Duvan would have preferred over Zeme, as her running mate.

She considered former Grassadellia City Mayor Kellan Kastol, but Duvan and Kastol previously dated a decade ago, raising a personal relationship issue.

Duvan considered Assemblyman Bill Blair, who has previously ran for governor too. But he was ruled out by Duvan's campaign team for the same reason as Zeme, being too boring.

"You have to strike the right balance with your lieutenant governor running mate selection," says Kevin Mullins, an NAT political operative based out of Eastholm. "If you get someone too boring, the voters will be bored and turned off. If you get someone with too much personality who is flashy and loud, that turns voters off too. If you get someone too old, the voters consider that person to be geriatric. If you get someone too young, they may seem unexperienced and uncapable. So, you really have to find that right balance. Sometimes the more boring person is a better choice," said Mullins.

Duvan and Zeme ran together on the same ticket for the first time in 2024, the first election in which Damoign's governor and lieutenant governor were elected on a joint ticket.

Previously, the lieutenant governor was elected separately from the governor, frequently resulting in the positions being split by the two political parties.

The Duvan-Zeme duo easily held off Conservatives George Velmar and Dianne Roselli in the 2024 general election, 52.1 to 46.6 percent, respectively.

Duvan is the first Damoign governor in modern history to be elected to a third term. Previous governors were limited to just two terms.

The state legislature passed a law in 2022 that allows a governor to seek an unlimited number of terms in the governorship.

However, the voters of Damoign had perviously voted for term limits. The legislature's 2022 law made previous voter-passed laws void.

The Conservative Party is still filing lawsuits and motions to get term limits back in place.

For now, Duvan could seek reelection again in 2028 if she wants. If she chooses to step down, Zeme could be a leading candidate to replace her, though there are a host of other NAT candidates who would likely enter the race too.

Conservatives' top choice in Carova declines to run for governor

CAROVA, CITY, Car. -- Attorney General Sean Travern is not running for governor, no matter how many Conservative politicians and party leaders try to convince him.

Finishing up his second term as AG, Travern was widely seen as a 2026 gubernatorial candidate, and he's expressed interest in the state's top job in the past.

But for months, Travern has declined overtures from party leaders to seek the governorship.

Sources close to Travern say he is reluctant to challenge popular incumbent Gov. Dan Sallovich (N), who is seeking reelection.

Travern has not said much publicly about his decision to forego the governor's race, only telling the media last month that he is "ready to be back in the private sector."

"I've been in state government for going on eight years now," he said at a press conference announcing his intent to not seek election in 2026. "I'm ready for a vacation and ready to get back to work in the private sector, where profit and performance matter much more."

Aides and allies of the attorney general say Travern is confident he could beat Sallovich in a head-to-head match up in November. However, defeating Sallovich would be difficult, expensive, and likely a nasty political fight, something Travern would prefer to avoid, sources say.

"It's not that he doesn't think he can beat Dan Sallovich. He thinks he could win, he thinks his chances would be pretty good. But in order to win, it would be a nasty, brutal fight. And he just doesn't want to deal with that right now," said one source, who asked to remain anonymous, since they were not permitted by Travern to speak to the media.

"I think he just wants to go on vacation and get a good job and just go back to having a normal life for a little while," said another anonymous source who works with Travern, though both sources told GNN they expect Travern to run for higher office in the future.

"I don't see this as retirement. He's not retiring, he's just taking a break. [He's] gearing up for a future run for governor or senator," said the second source.

Travern's declination leaves Conservatives with only two lesser-known candidates for governor. Construction company owner Michael Drake of Carova City and businessman Andrew Eskin of Beren.

Drake, who has never sought public office before, was the first to enter the race, and he has collected the most endorsements from party officials and prominent figures.

His campaign has centered on blue collar workers and the trades. He often emphasizes that he doesn't have a college degree, although he has gone to trade schools and received certifications for plumbing, electrician work and contracting.

"I'm proof that you don't have to go to college and graduate school and get an MBA or a law degree to be successful," Drake told a reporter from The Grassadellia City Times. "I'm a multi-millionaire business owner, and I did it through hard work, good business practices, and leadership."

Eskin, a lawyer and stock trader, is a former state senator from Beren. He splits his time between Carova and Grassadellia City. He's focused on his economic background as an asset in the race for governor.

"Carova is at a crossroads. We can keep misspending our money and growing our social safety net, which disincentives people to work and bloats government, or we can trim our spending, spend responsibly, and empower Carovan workers," said Eskin.

Travern's deferral means either Drake or Eskin will be the CNS' nominee.

While he's not in the race, Travern still looms large over it, with many suspecting he'll seek the governorship in 2030.

His endorsement would also carry a great deal of weight among CNS primary voters, who highly regard the attorney general.

Former Gov. Dan Wainwright (C), who lost to Sallovich back in 2022, was considering running for a rematch or for the state's open senate seat, which is up for grabs this year. However, Wainwright's family and advisors convinced him to stay out of the 2026 races.

Instead, the former governor, senator and attorney general will help campaign for his son Dan Wainwright Jr., who is running for attorney general.

The younger Wainwright is likely to face Nationalist Dan McGregor in the AG race.

The former governor, Wainwright Sr., has not made an endorsement in the CNS race yet. Sources close to him say he favors Eskin, but is open to Drake too.

Sallovich remains popular with NAT voters and independent voters. His approval among Conservative voters has dwindled in recent years, as the governor has expanded the social safety net and has moderately raised taxes.

If he wins reelection later this year, Sallovich will become Carova's first governor to win reelection.

Carova has two senate seats up for election this year. Conservative incumbent Sawyer Upton is up for reelection, while longtime Nationalist Ann Kocheni is retiring after more than 30 years in the Senate.

Former Sen. Karen Coriano is likely to seek Kocheni's seat, while Conservatives Donna Creilo and Jim Calisto run for the position on the CNS side.

No major NAT candidates have filed to challenge Upton, although former appointed Sen. Bob McGregor is mulling a bid. Former Lt. Gov. Carson Latzo is also considering running.

Ugorachin to challenge Traetori in Roddenshire

COLCICHUTT, Rodd. -- After losing her Senate seat in 2024 by a sliver, former Sen. Anita Ugorachin (N) is seeking a comeback, and this time she'll be running against her former Conservative colleague Sen. Frank Traetori.

Ugorachin, who was known as one of the most progressive senators in the chamber, formally entered the Roddenshire senate race yesterday, filing papers to seek Traetori's seat.

Ugorachin starts her race with a few advantages. She's well-known in the small state, after serving for two terms. She's a prolific fundraiser, especially among women's and minority rights groups. And Roddenshire is a blue state, which tips the race in her favor.

Traetori, a staunch law-and-order conservative, is seeking a third term. Though deeply unpopular with left-wing voters, Traetori has a strong following among conservative voters, and in recent years has appealed more to independent and and moderate voters.

Both candidates have high name recognition and strong support from their national and state parties.

The fate of the race may well come down to voter turnout. If Conservative voters show up in large numbers to back Traetori, he may win. If Conservative voters stay home and NAT voters flood the polls, Ugorachin may be swept back into office.

Ugorachin beat Traetori once back in 2012. Traetori made a comeback in 2014 by beating then Sen. Vince Montimado (N). He beat Montimado again in 2020. Ugorachin won a second term in 2018 against a little-known Conservative opponent.

But her run for a third term in 2024 ran into a roadblock when Hong Kong-born Chinese Grassadellian and political newcomer Victoria Kejung (C) challenged her. Riding a nationwide Conservative tide, Kejung narrowly topped Ugorachin by a 51-48% margin.

But now Ugorachin, the first Vietnamese-Grassadellian senator, will face another tough race against Traetori, who already has $4.3 million in the bank.

Ugorachin has $1.1 million left over from her 2024 campaign, so she won't start from scratch. But both candidates and parties will have to raise a hefty amount of cash for the race, as Roddenshire has three media markets, including the Grassadellia City and Mavocke markets, which are two fo the most expensive for advertisements.

In her campaign announcement, Ugorachin said she is running "to finish the work we started." She railed against Traetori and his "ultra-right-wing billionaire friends" whom "he constantly votes to protect."

"Frank Traetori has no idea what it's like to be a normal person who has a normal life and normal bills. He doesn't know what it's like to struggle to pay rent. He doesn't know what it's like to struggle to pay a surprise medical bill or to pay for kids sport equipment or summer camp. Or how hard it is for a single mother or father trying to pay the bills and raise a kid at the same time. All Frank Traetori knows is how to get bigger returns on corporate stocks and how to expand one's stock portfolio," she said.

Traetori shot back on X, formerly Twitter, saying "Ugorachin is in bed with the national NAT party. She's raised millions from these left-wing groups. For someone who rails against rich people, she sure has raised a lot of money and hob-knobbed with a lot of these same rich people she claims to fight against."

A iVote poll released Thursday found Traetori leading Ugorachin by nearly six points, 52.8% to 46.2 percent, respectively, with a little over one percent choosing other candidates or write-ins.

Liffrey jumps into POG governor's race, Trau to seek Senate seat again

KINGHAM, P.O.G. -- After weeks of lobbying and trying to persuade POG Sen. John Paul Liffrey (N) to seek reelection to the Senate, Nationalists senators have failed.

The freshman senator announced he will not seek reelection to the Senate and will instead seek the state's governorship, which is up for grabs this year.

Liffrey joins the governor's race late, and other NAT candidates, such as state Sen. Jean Kane, Lt. Gov. Phil Wantanab, former Lansdale Mayor Pat Gaynor, and Assemblywoman Elaine Najiscoto, are already established. 

However, Liffrey brings high name recognition to the race and a strong fundraising prowess. On the first official day of his campaign, he raised $1.7 million, with many donations coming from out of state donors.

His candidacy for governor is a blow to Federal Senate Nationalists, as they seek to rebuild their ranks following a massive loss in the 2024 elections that saw the NAT lose its majority for the first time in 20 years.

Senate Minority Leader Debbie Madronas (N-Damoign) had personally lobbied Liffrey on multiple occasions, staff for both senators confirmed. 

In a closed door meeting with the entire NAT caucus, Madronas admonished senators up for reelection this year to seek reelection, since the NAT is in the minority and most of the Senate races this year are NAT-held seats, and incumbents usually have an edge in elections.

But sources close to Liffrey say the senator has long had his eye on the governorship, and he feels the current candidates running on the NAT side are weak.

"John Paul jumped in this race because he looked at who the NAT had and he just didn't feel any of them can beat Austin Mendajara," said one source close to Liffrey, who asked for anonymity to discuss their private conversations.

Mendajara, the state's Attorney General, is the leading CNS candidate for governor, though he'll have to work his way through a contentious CNS primary race that includes former gubernatorial nominee Mike Indano, businessman Dick Johnson, Assemblywoman Nancy Garblake, professional baseball manager Tommy Maddox, and realtor Terry Silvi.

Mendajara, a 44-year-old Hispanic politician from south Lansdale, is the most popular of the Conservative bunch, but also the most moderate, which may hurt him with CNS primary voters, who skew more to the right.

In his campaign announcement, Liffrey, 52, said he is focusing his campaign on affordability and kitchen table issues.

"The Conservative candidates in this race don't understand the affordability challenges POGers face. They don't know what it's like to go to the grocery store and have to check your bank account first. They don't know what it's like to choose between your utility bill and putting food in your refrigerator. POG needs a governor who understands the costs and strains people in this state face," said Liffrey in a video announcement, surrounded by his wife and teenage kids.

Liffrey's entry into the governor's race means the NAT will have yet another open seat to defend in the Senate this year. And it's unclear which NAT candidates will jump into the race.

Former Sen. Max Kiesling (N) has expressed interest, as have Assemblywomen Maria Adebos and Jill Yateri, and former Sen. Charlie Quince (N).

On the Conservative side, former senator Dick Trau announced his intention to seek the seat. College regent Mike Holloway, who has previously ran for the senate unsuccessfully, also announced his candidacy.

Holloway is the more right-wing of the two. Trau lost reelection in 2022 to Nationalist Jim Mahenas. Trau sought Diane Coke's seat in 2024 but lost in the primary race to Conservative professional baseball coach and businessman Tommy Maddox, who in turn lost to Coke.

Rather than seek the senate seat again this year, Maddox opted to run for governor.

Polls have shown a close race for governor, with several candidates from both parties struggling for name recognition with voters.

Whoever wins both parties' primaries will likely face a hard-fought general election race, as both parties are expected to pour millions of dollars into the high-stakes race in the nation's second-most-populous state.

Another uncertainty is outgoing Gov. Ramon Ramos (N), who may run for president in 2028, or could also seek Liffrey's vacant senate seat.

In a statement on his social media channels, Ramos praised Liffrey for "his pragmatic approach to legislating" and for "charting a middle-of-the-road path through the Senate, a path that works for all POGeans."

Liffrey's late entry into the race may hinder his candidacy, but he announced an aggressive fundraising tour in order to qualify for the first televised debate in the race, scheduled for May 17. Candidates must have raised $5 million or be polling at more than 10 percent with NAT primary voters.

NAT senators try to persuade O'Larra, Liffrey to seek reelection instead of governorships

MAVOCKE -- With the NAT being in the minority in the Federal Senate, it's more tempting than ever for ambitious NAT senators to leave the chamber and seek governorships in their home states.

Senate Minority Leader Debbie Madronas (N-DMG), Asst. Minority Leader Nadan Saralo (N-WEL) and many in the NAT caucus are hoping to persuade their colleagues who are toying with the notion to seek reelection to the Senate anyway, despite the allure of state governorships.

The latest senators to be courted by their colleagues are Onakiah's Ernie O'Larra and POG's John Paul Liffrey, who are both up for reelection this year.

Liffrey had long been eyeing POG's open governor's seat, which is up for grabs this year.

The young senator from Kingham is known for his moderate policies and for his photogenic temperament. He'd be the most high-profile Nationalist candidate in the race, should he decided to run.

O'Larra has more recently entertained the idea of seeking his state's governorship.

Popular Conservative incumbent Bobby Hafen is up for reelection this year, and it'd be tough to dethrone him.

O'Larra is popular, too, though. And his moderate voting record would lend him real credibility in a conservative state.

Spokespeople for both Liffrey and O'Larra have confirmed that both senators have received visits from Madronas, Saralo and other NAT senators, with the intention being to dissuade the two from seeking governorships.

Madronas also reportedly spoke candidly with all NAT senators at a caucus meeting. 

Cameras are not allowed in caucus meetings, but sources who attended, including senators and their staff members, all confirmed to GNN that Madronas urged NAT members who are up for reelection to seek reelection to the Senate instead of seeking governorships.

"Simply put, the NAT cannot afford to have all our incumbent senators leave and go seek office elsewhere," said one NAT senator, who asked not to be identified because the meeting was supposed to be confidential.

For now, both Liffrey and O'Larra have not announced plans to run for governor in their respective states. And both are relatively young (48 and 52, respectively), so they could easily run for governor in four years.

But the fact they're considering abandoning their Senate seats and possibly running for other positions has to be concerning to Madronas, as she seeks to rebuild the party's ranks after 2024's Conservative wave election, which saw the NAT lose eight seats and the Conservatives retake the majority for the first time in 20 years.

Others in the business say it's nearly too late for Liffrey and O'Larra to jump into their states' governors races anyway. Other candidates are already established and have taken front-runner status.

"It would be a tall order for these two senators to suddenly enter the race and leap into the lead. Not impossible, but tough," said Matt Hawkins, a political analyst with the Midway Group.

Neither Liffrey nor O'Larra have commented on running for governor. But both have expressed interest in the idea in the past.

For the time being, they remain in the Senate and have officially filed paperwork to seek reelection.

Neither have a prominent Conservative opponent yet, and both have healthy war chests to fund their campaigns.

The main question at this point is if the Conservatives will hold their majority and maintain a lead in the upper chamber, or if the Nationalists will be able to swing the Senate back into their hands; a doubtful outcome but technically possible.

Most experts agree it will likely take several elections before the NAT can claw its way back to power in the Senate, although recent elections have seen up to nine incumbent senators lose reelection, so it's not beyond the realm of possibilities.

Staying in the Senate, though, would be a big help to Madronas, and could curry favor with the minority leader after the election, which could see both Liffrey and O'Larra elevated to higher-profile committee positions and leadership titles.

Presently, the POG governor's race is rated as a toss-up. The Onakiah governor's race is rated as "Conservative Favored."

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."