Coriano gets another shot at Senate in hard-fought Carova primaries

VALLINGBURG, Car. -- She's been elected to the Senate, removed from the Senate via the Senate Reduction Lotter, voted back into the Senate, and voted out again.

Now the outspoken Karen Coriano (N) will have another chance to regain a seat in the upper house.

The former senator narrowly defeated liberal political activist Bob McGregor, himself a former appointed senator.

Both candidates are firmly liberal, but Coriano ran to McGregor's left.

Despite her embrace of progressive policy positions, while in the Senate, Coriano often compromised with Conservatives, and, on many occasions, voted with their party over her own.

McGregor pointed that out during the race, while also pointing to his strong advocacy for labor rights and the environment.

Ultimately, the race came down to turnout and money. Coriano raised far more money than McGregor, which was a key advantage, particularly at the end of the race, where she was able to blanket the state's airwaves with pro-Coriano ads.

She ended election night with 51.4% compared to 48.6% for McGregor, respectively.

McGregor quickly called to concede.

"I have no ill feelings toward Karen. This was a close race, but she won it fairly and decisively. I consider her a friend, and I look forward to working with her to win this seat in the fall," McGregor told reporters at his election night celebration in north Carlingford.

In Vallingburg, at her celebration, Coriano thanked supporters and thanked McGregor.

"Bob McGregor was our opponent in this race, but he is an ally as we move forward. He is a tried-and-true Nationalist. He believes in the same ideals and values we believe in. And he is battle-tested. We need him by our side, on our side. So Bob, thank you for your support and endorsement. Thank you for running a clean, respectable race that was about the issues and about the voters, as it should have been. And thank you for partnering with me to win this seat this December," Coriano told her supporters.

Coriano's Conservative opponent is unclear, as the CNS primary race is too close to call.

As of Sunday morning, former Lt. Gov. Dave Emser of Aldridge was narrowly leading Assemblywoman Donna Creilo by a margin of 30.4% to 29.4 percent, respectively.

Assemblyman Jim Calisto of Port Bay, and political newcomer and home school activist Anita Rowley of Oster County, were both eliminated in the race.

The candidates were all vying for the soon-to-be-vacated seat held by longtime Senator Ann Kocheni, who is retiring after 20 years in the upper chamber.

In the state's other Senate race, incumbent Conservative Sen. Sawyer Upton will face another political newcomer, financial analyst Kate Porter of Lanakin.

Porter defeated former Lt. Gov. Carson Latzo and current Lt. Gov. Dean Haley for a chance to take on Upton, who is seeking reelection.

Porter won that race by less than three percent, taking 35% to Latzo's 32.6% and Haley's 32.3 percent, respectively.

Upton has a strong money and name recognition advantage over Porter, but the NAT nominee is hopeful her party's Senate Campaign Committee will help her raise money.

"I look forward to challenging Senator Upton and to sharing our different views with the people of Carova," Porter told reporters on election night at her celebration in Carlingford.

In the state's still outstanding CNS Senate primary, Donna Creilo is seeking a recount against Emser.

If Emser wins, it will be a rematch. He previously lost to Coriano back in 2018.

He also lost against Dan Sallovich, the state's current governor who was previously a federal senator.

Coriano, though, is no stranger to losing. She was unsuccessful in her 2014 race against Sawyer Upton.

She then won a seat against Emser in 2018, but lost again in 2024 to Conservative Aaron Hallings.

In Carova's Conservative Senate primary, all three leading candidates have lost multiple races for Senate and for other positions.

Their combined losing record became a running joke, with frontrunner and two-time unsuccessful Senate nominee Dave Emser making a joke at the party's Senate debate.

"OK, here's the deal. We're all losers. All three of us. So let's just get that out there in the open and accept it. We've all ran before and lost," he said, to cheers and laughs from the audience. "But we can either point fingers at the other person and say, 'What a loser they are,' or we can say, you know what, we might have all lost in the past, but we're going to win this time. And this is how we're going to do it. We're going to do it by championing lower taxes. By supporting freedom of education and parent choice. By championing business and a strong economy. By championing a strong national defense and a strongly enforced immigration system. By encouraging new infrastructure in our state. That's how we're going to win."

***Unofficial Election Results -- Carova Senate Race -- Conservative Primary***

658,282	Turnout:	29.40%	22.13%	30.42%	18.05%	193,503	145,703	200,251	118,825
658,282	15.42%	29.40%	22.13%	30.42%	18.05%
100.00%		Creilo	Calisto	Emser	Rowley

***Unofficial Election Results -- Carova Senate Race -- Nationalist Primary***

618,270	Turnout:	48.52%	51.48%			299,971	318,299
618,270	14.49%	48.52%	51.48%
100.00%		McGregor	Coriano

***Unofficial Election Results -- Carova Senate Race 2 -- Nationalist Primary***

628,629	Turnout:	32.60%	35.08%	32.32%		204,921	220,552	203,156
628,629	14.73%	32.60%	35.08%	32.32%
100.00%		Latzo	Porter	Haley

Dan Wainwright Jr. loses AG primary

CAROVA CITY, Car. -- There will be no Wainwright political family dynasty in Carova, at least not this year.

Dan Wainwright Jr., the son of former Gov. Dan Wainwright Sr. (C), lost his primary race for the state's attorney generalship, Saturday.

The younger Wainwright had been favored to win, having declared his candidacy a year ago and raised far more money than the other three candidates.

However, dark horse candidate Mark Hargreaves, a tax attorney from the northeastern suburbs of Carlingford, ended up taking the party's nomination.

Hargreaves narrowly edged out Wainwright Jr., taking almost 35% of the vote compared to just over 32% for Wainwright.

Former Interim Attorney General Jeff Littleton, who was appointed to the position back in 2011 by then-Gov. Sam Byelle (C), finished third with 24 percent, while little-known political newcomer Matt Handle, an attorney from rural Scotco County in the state's far northeast, came in last with just under nine percent.

All four candidates were strong in their Conservative credentials, and they largely agreed on policy.

Still, Hargreaves ran as a Conservative stalwart, casting Wainwright and Littleton as "moderates."

Wainwright disputed the moderate label, and leaned into his family name and his youth. He's 43 while Hargreaves is 62.

In the end, though, it didn't work. In a primary election, where older and more conservative voters typically participate at higher rates than younger and more moderate voters, Hargreaves was able to capitalize on his right-wing identity, and held back the rising star Wainwright Jr.

Hargreaves' win means Nationalists will likely have an easier time of winning the attorney generalship, with former AG Dan McGregor (N) running unopposed for his party's nomination.

Analysts expected McGregor to go up against Wainwright Jr. in what would have been a marquee race. 

Now, the race tilts in McGregor's favor. The former AG has more money and more name recognition than Hargreaves. McGregor is also hoping to ride the coattails of popular Gov. Dan Sallovich, who is also running for reelection.

Like Littleton, McGregor only served for less than two years. He won a special election in 2012 and served until 2014, when he was defeated by Conservative Sean Travern.

Travern toyed with running for governor this year, but decided to leave politics and return to the private sector.

If McGregor wins in the fall election, he will be the first Nationalist to win a full term as AG in Carova.

If Hargreaves wins the race, he will become the oldest attorney general in state history.

***Unofficial Election Results -- Carova Attorney General -- Conservative Primary***

672,152	Turnout:	24.05%	32.39%	34.89%	8.67%	161,622	217,723	234,500	58,306
672,152	15.75%	24.05%	32.39%	34.89%	8.67%
100.00%		Littleton	Wainwright	Hargreaves	Handle

Drake holds off Eskin in Carova

EAST HOLLOW, Car. -- A blue collar construction company owner has won Carova's CNS gubernatorial primary, holding off an Ivy League-educated stock broker.

Michael Drake comfortably defeated Andrew Eskin in Saturday's primary, with Drake taking 56% and Eskin 44 percent, respectively.

Drake entered the race first, and went viral on social media for his advocacy for trades and his encouragement of young people to not go to college.

Eskin declared his candidacy months after Drake, and was hoping his Ivy League ties and his prominent family name would push him over the top. 

Despite an early start and strong fundraising from small donors, Drake struggled to compete with Eskin's deep pockets.

As of last week, Drake had $4.2 million raised with about $1.29 million in cash-on-hand.

Eskin had $5.6 million raised with about $2.24 million in cash-on-hand.

The money advantage didn't help Eskin, who struggled to win over disaffected Conservative voters.

Drake and his allies, including the Grassadellian Conservative Union (GCU), National Rifle Club (NRC), and the Conservative Labor Council (CLC), cast Eskin as an out-of-touch, wealthy elite.

Eskin acknowledged his blue blood background, but said his knowledge of financial markets and the economy were just what Carova needed in its next governor.

Both men were vying for a chance to take on NAT Gov. Dan Sallovich, who is seeking reelection this fall.

Drake went viral when he first announced his candidacy, especially after he openly talked about his purposeful lack of higher education.

"I purposely didn't go to college right out of high school," said Drake back in January. "I hated school. I didn't want to be stuck in a classroom. I knew I wanted to work with my hands. So I went to work for a contractor and he taught me how to build things. And now I own a multi-million dollar construction and concrete business."

Allies of Eskin pointed to Drake's lack of higher education as a drawback, not an asset.

"You know, there's nothing wrong with someone not going to college. There are a lot of great Carovans and Grassadellians who didn't go to college," said Buzz Freeman, chair of the Carova Business Council. "But when we're talking about running the state's economy, when we're talking about billions of dollars being allocated in a state budget...would you rather have someone with knowledge of all the stuff, or would you rather have someone who is not remotely familiar with it?"

Drake pushed back, saying he runs his business himself and makes all financial decisions pertaining to his company.

Additionally, he owns a rental property company, which he also runs, although he contracts the property management out to a third party.

"I resent this notion that just because I didn't go to college, I can't manage money, I can't run a business," said Drake at a June campaign event in Beren County. "I may not have a degree framed on my wall, but you know what, I know how to make money, I know how to manage payroll, I know how to grow a business. And there are a lot of Ivy League eggheads who might have the piece of paper, but they don't have the real world experience."

Endorsements in the race largely fell along establishment versus grassroots lines, with many establishment and moderate figures backing Eskin, and more grassroots and right-wing groups backing Drake.

Though he enjoyed support from the party's right-wing, Drake disputes that he's a hardcore Conservative. 

"I don't think of myself as a right-winger, I think of myself as a businessman. I'm not ideological at all. I'm about making money and balancing a budget," he told reporters at an event in Bruce Junction last week.

After months of dueling campaign ads attacking the other, Eskin and Drake finally talked for the first time in months when Eskin called Saturday night to concede.

"I wished Michael Drake well, and I pledged to support him this fall," said Eskin, as he addressed his supporters at a ritzy eatery in Beren County, north of Carlingford.

Drake, gathered in the eastern suburbs of Carlingford where he's from, thanked his supporters and said the real battle begins now.

"I appreciate Andrew Eskin calling me and conceding. I appreciate the competitive race we ran against each other. But the reality is, the hard work really begins now. Because now we're going up against an entrenched NAT governor who has a lot of money and support behind him, especially support from people in Mavocke. So we need to focus and gear up and get ready. This is going to be a hard fight but it's a fight we can and will win."

When reached on Sunday morning, Sallovich's office said the governor called Drake and congratulated him on winning the Conservative party's nomination.

"The governor looks forward to a respectful campaign that addresses the issues and the differences between the candidates," the governor's press secretary Stephanie Hanna wrote in an official statement.

Defeating Sallovich won't be easy. The incumbent governor remains relatively popular, though his approval rating has dipped in recent months as the state's economy has struggled.

New data shows the state has lost population over the last decade, during both Sallovich's administration and that of his Conservative predecessors.

The governor's allies say the state's economy always fluctuates, due, in part, to its reliance on oil and energy.

"Overall, I think Dan Sallovich has done a great job, and I'm confident the voters of Carova will return him for another four years," said State Senate President Charles Billidge (N-Port Bay).

***Unofficial Election Results -- Carova Governor's Race -- Conservative Primary***

675,461	Turnout:	56.08%	43.92%			378,811	296,650
675,461	15.83%	56.08%	43.92%
100.00%		Drake	Eskin

Kirkpatrick coasts to victory in Remmington CNS primary

ANNINGTON, Rem. -- Remmington's Attorney General Andy Kirkpatrick easily won his party's nomination for governor Saturday.

Kirkpatrick took nearly two-thirds of the vote, while former Lt. Gov. Raquel Marquez received only a quarter of votes cast.

The attorney general was heavily favored to win. He enjoyed strong support from the party's base and from moderates, while Marquez's support came mostly from the party's far-right fringes.

Marquez entered the race late, and she began her campaign with scandal.

The former lieutenant governor has been sued by former employees of her office who accuse her of harassment and creating a hostile workplace.

The allegations stem back to Marquez's tenure in office, almost a decade ago.

Though she admitted she's a tough boss and doesn't "take any crap," Marquez has denied creating a hostile work environment.

The Kirkpatrick campaign largely ignored Marquez, initially. But her repeated attacks on Kirkpatrick's conservative credentials, and even his masculinity, precipitated a response from the Kirkpatrick campaign.

"Andy Kirkpatrick wears suits and ties. He doesn't know what it's like to be a real man and work on a ranch," says the narrator in one pro-Marquez ad. The commercial featured a sweaty Marquez loading hay bales from a field onto a trailer.

"You can't trust someone who doesn't understand what hard work is all about," the narrator says.

Kirkpatrick fired back, defending his conservative record, in which he sued the McCaren administration more than 70 times.

"And not all men wear overalls and boots," he says in an ad for his campaign. The videos shows him walking into his house and wrestling with his young children in a dress shirt and tie.

Kirkpatrick later posted a commercial featuring him outside doing yard work. The commercial largely got panned by Marquez supporters as contrived.

In an interview with The Grassadellia City Times, Kirkpatrick admitted his white collar job, but he said he spends as much time outside as possible.

"I'm always outside with my kids, working in the yard, barbecuing, driving my tractor around my property, or I'm out at the lake or driving dirt bikes and ATVs with my boys," he said.

State party leaders largely stayed silent on the personal attacks during the CNS governor's primary race. But former governor-turned-senator Jen Stevens Taylor lamented that voters had to hear about personalities and masculinity instead of the issues.

"At the end of the day, I don't think the voters of Remmington really care much about how many hours Andy Kirkpatrick works outside. I think they care about the issues," said Stevens-Taylor.

In the end, the attacks did little to hurt Kirkpatrick. He won a majority in 28 out of 30 counties, and tallied over 90% of the votes in some counties.

The attorney general racked up huge wins in the state's most-populated counties, including over 91% in Ferrier County, the third most-populous county in the state, and almost 74% in Benham, the state's most-populous.

It was more than enough for Marquez to quickly concede. She called Kirkpatrick just 45 minutes into the vote counting.

"I congratulate Andy Kirkpatrick on his win in this race, and I hope he can beat Matt Hoffbourn in the fall," said Marquez at her election night party in Alexandria, southwest of Remmington City.

At his celebration up north in Annington, Kirkpatrick thanked his supporters and pledged to run a clean campaign against Hoffbourn, the incumbent Nationalist governor.

"Matt Hoffbourn and I disagree on just about every issue, and I look forward to showing Remmingtonians my vision for our state and how my ideas differ with his," said Kirkpatrick.

Hoffbourn, who is also from Annington in the state's northeast, congratulated Kirkpatrick on his X account (formerly Twitter).

"I look forward to debating the issues with you, Andy," wrote Hoffbourn.

The Remmington governor's race is rated as "Leans Conservative" by most political prognosticators. 

***Remmington Governor's Race -- Conservative Primary -- Unofficial Results***

25.37%	74.63%	0.00%	0.00%	142,837	420,193	0	0
				Marquez	Kirkpatrick
25.37%	74.63%	0.00%	0.00%	563,030

Mainstream Conservatives hold off far-right candidate in Armana Senate primary

LACKING HILLS, Ara. -- Conservatives avoided an embarrassing upset in the Armana Senate primary election Thursday night.

Conservative businesswoman Mary Shelley, from the northern suburbs of Marchande, won the party's nomination for Senate.

Her opponent was a far-right member of "The Proud Boys," an extremist right-wing group.

Cesar Canelo-Candide, 44, from the beach town of East Hampton on the north end of Cape Newton, had, at times, espoused violence, calling for a "conservative revolution."

His association with notorious members of The Proud Boys and other right-wing groups had earned him scorn from Nationalists and even from many fellow Conservatives.

There was some concern in Armana that Canelo-Candide might beat Shelley, who was hand-picked by the party establishment.

Polls had shown Shelley neck-and-neck with Canelo-Candide, and her lackluster fundraising numbers didn't reassure panicked supporters.

But ultimately, the little-known Shelley held off the bombastic Canelo-Candide by a wide margin, 60.6 - 39.4 percent, according to unofficial election results released by Armana Secretary of State Elaine Madaganan.

Voter turnout was just over 14 percent, Madaganan reported.

Support for the candidates didn't fall neatly into urban-versus-rural, with many rural counties backing Shelley, and some urban counties swinging in Canelo-Candide's favor.

Shelley won big in the Greater Marchande metro area, which put her so far ahead, there was no hope of Canelo-Candide overcoming the deficit. The race was called at about 10:00 pm, just two hours after the polls closed.

Despite having denied election results in previous elections, and casting suspicion on elections, particularly mail-in voting, Canelo-Candided did not contest the election results.

He issued a concession to Shelley around 10:30 pm, and the two reportedly spoke on the phone before Shelley gave an acceptance speech from her home in the northern suburbs of Marchande.

"Tonight, we have proven that you don't have to be the loudest, the most outspoken, the most hardcore candidate to win. We need to return the Senate to civility, and that begins with building relationships with other senators from other parties and by giving people the benefit of the doubt," said Shelley.

Canelo-Candide told his supporters gathered in his hometown on the cape that while he didn't win this race, "this is not the last of me."

"I'm not going nowhere," said Canelo-Candide, for whom English is a second language.

The 44-year-old was born in Venezuela, and had used his campaign to denounce communism.

He accused Shelley of being too soft on Nationalists, and not being conservative enough.

"When Nationalists are literally talking about socialism and buying property and taking over companies, we have to have a Conservative senator who will stand up to these lunatics and say 'hell no. Over my dead body.'"

Shelley also spoke out against communism, and disputed that her conservative credentials were in doubt.

"I'm a life-long Conservative. I'm from the party and movement of Edinough and Reagan. Everyone who knows me knows I don't support or tolerate communism or socialism, full stop," she said at a campaign event last week in Westernmyer.

Communism and socialism have become more prominent in international headlines, as left-wing politicians in multiple western countries have espoused the virtues of both socialism and, in lesser cases, communism. 

And incumbent Sen. Serap Figaori (N), who is up for reelection and whom Shelley is challenging in December, has been accused of supporting socialism in the past.

Back in 2020, Figaori, then a freshman senator, supported the federal government nationalizing utility conglomerates.

"If we want to drive down the cost of electricity for Grassadellians, we can't keep letting the rotten, nasty electric companies continue to rob our citizens blind," he said in an interview back in 2020.

The senator also appeared alongside striking iron workers in northern Armana, demanding higher pay and better benefits from employers.

His staunch pro-labor and pro-social democratic policies have given Conservatives much fodder, as they seek to defeat him in his quest for a third term in the Senate.

However, most polling has shown Figaori -- despite his left-wing views -- comfortably ahead in his bid for reelection.

With Shelley, a first-time candidate, having little name recognition, Conservatives will have to pour in millions of dollars just to raise awareness of Shelley. Polls have shown most voters don't know anything about her.

As of last week, Shelley's campaign reported it had raised $6.47 million, and had about $3.9 million in cash-on-hand.

Figaori's campaign reported the senator had raised $6.69 million, and had $4.2 million on hand.

In his previous campaigns, Figaori has been an adept fundraiser, with more than half of his campaign donations coming from outside the state.

***Conservative Senate Primary Election -- Armana -- Unofficial Results***

828,953	538,681
60.61%	39.39%
Shelley	Canelo-Candide

DeMerius Jenkins pulls off upset in Lial NAT gubernatorial primary

HOLQUIN, Lial -- He was the last candidate to enter the race, but Lial Lt. Gov. DeMerius Jenkins (N) has won his party's nomination for governor, upsetting a seasoned state senator who was favored to win.

Jenkins swept the Greater Monvaille area, winning large margins that his two opponents could not overcome.

At the same time, he also won many rural counties.

State Sen. Bill Passaneas, who was the front-runner and who entered the race almost two years ago, conceded to Jenkins Monday night.

The two men held election night celebrations just across town in the suburbs south of Monvaille, where they both hail from.

"Congratulations to DeMerius. It's clear he has the passion, and he has captured the attention and the favor of Lial's NAT voters. I wish him a successful campaign this fall," said Passaneas.

Lial Attorney General Alice Mobley, who finished last in the three-way race, also conceded at her celebration further downstate in Bambois.

"I want to wish DeMerius the very best as he moves on to the fall election, and to the very tough challenge of taking on Junes Charmagne. I hope our party can come together and unite, because when we are united, we are unstoppable," she said to a group of her supporters, who gathered at a wine bar in the small city where she grew up.

Lial Gov. Junes Charmagne (C), who is seeking an unprecedented third term this fall, also congratulated Jenkins.

"Congrats to @DeMerius Jenkins on his big win. I look forward to debating the issues and sharing our very different visions for the state of Lial in the coming months," wrote Charmagne on his X account, formerly Twitter.

Initial returns from rural counties showed Passaneas firmly in the lead. But as more ballots came in from Monvaille and its suburbs, it was clear Jenkins had the momentum.

At just age 39, he is the youngest nominee for governor in Lial history, as well as the first person of color.

Then a little-known state representative from Monvaille's south side, Jenkins first made a name for himself in 2022, when he narrowly defeated Conservative Lieutenant Governor Jim Fallberry.

That race hinged greatly on race, crime and policing.

Jenkins has used his campaign for governor to highlight those same issues.

Conservatives have already pounced on comments he made about abolishing immigration enforcement, reducing police forces, and reducing funding for police.

"DeMerius Jenkins really is the dream candidate for Conservatives. He is a self-described socialist who wants less police and more government ownership of private property. He wants to take away people's money and 'spread the wealth' to the masses. All hard-working Lialans are going to see right through his crazy policies and vote for someone who understands economics, the free market, and letting people keep their money," said Curtis Scholer, a Conservative strategist who works in Lial politics, but who is not involved in the race.

Charmagne has enjoyed high popularity as Lial's economy has boomed, with increases in manufacturing jobs and investment from foreign companies.

The moderate CNS governor, who is socially liberal, has championed low taxes, a business-friendly agenda, and has personally made multiple trips around the world to recruit major companies to Lial.

Charmagne has also advocated for more police and a tougher stance on crime, though he has largely left local policing matters to local authorities.

In his third term, should he win one, Charmagne has expressed his desire to crack down harder on the city of Monvaille, whose liberal leaders have often thumbed their nose at the governor.

Charmagne says that while the state's economy has boomed as a whole, Monvaille's economy continues to "drift," as the "liberal politicians" who run the city have opposed his "growth-driven policies."

"Crime and homelessness continue to be out of control in Monvaille," said the governor at a press conference last week. "I've tried to work with the mayor, the city council, and all those folks. They have opposed me at every turn, simply because of politics. They are actually willing to sell their city down the river and let their city drown in crime and homelessness, just because they don't want to work with Conservatives. It's sad. It's wrong. It's unconscionable. But these are the radical left lunatics we're dealing with," he said, using similar language to US President Donald Trump.

Jenkins disputed that characterization of his home city, telling his supporters on primary election night that "Monvaille is thriving, despite what Junes Charmagne and the Conservative fear-mongers say."

"When I see Monvaille, I see a city that is alive, with culture, with diversity, with art and love. Don't believe what you hear on right-wing news channels and social media. Monvaille is doing great."

Still, the lieutenant governor said the state's largest city, which is also the nation's third-largest city, is too expensive, and many Monvailleans are struggling to afford urban life.

"We still have too many people who can't afford rent, who can't afford their medical bills, who can't afford groceries. We have work to do, and we're going to make life more affordable for Lialans," said Jenkins.

He has supported popular democratic-socialist policies, such as allowing the City of Monvaille to purchase and run grocery stores to lower prices for citizens. And providing free public transportation for all Monvailleans.

Conservatives call those ideas "radical" and "bound to fail," and say Lialans will choose "common sense" this fall.

"These pie-in-the-sky socialist policies of DeMerius Jenkins and the Nationalists, they just don't work. We've tried socialism before. We've seen it in effect in other countries. And not once has it ever succeeded. It won't succeed here either, but I hope we don't even give them the chance to try it," said Conservative strategist Evan Modick.

Polls conducted on the Lial governor's race show Charmagne comfortably in the lead. However, Nationalists are hoping economically distressed voters in Monvaille's urban core will grow tired of the incumbent governor and be ready for change.

"DeMerius Jenkins represents change on so many levels. Not just a change in policy, but a change in generations, a change in viewpoints on how the economy should work for everyone, and a change in the lease of equity," said Sean Aston, a Monvaille-based Nationalist political operative who worked for the Mobley campaign.

Ultimately, the fate of the race may come down to the suburbs of Monvaille, which are notorious swing territories.

Smaller cities such as Castleton, Kappasanna, Cedrickson, Sauvienne, Naving, Bambois and Brisanten may also play a significant role in the race.

Dr. Kerry Rudgley, of Dulkalow University, currently rates the Lial governor's race as "Conservative Favored."

***Lial Governor Primary Election -- NAT -- Unofficial Results***

31.83%	30.82%	37.35%
Passaneas	Mobley	Jenkins

599,093

580,083

702,954

Volston edges Bannich in tight S. Ceona NAT gov primary

KEMPER, S. Ceona -- After a close primary race, former South Ceona Attorney General Patty Volston prevailed in Saturday's gubernatorial NAT primary election.

Volston narrowly edged out former Gov. Scott Bannich. Less than 17,000 votes separated the two of them, out of almost 580,000 votes cast statewide.

Secretary of State Vickie Mayfield reported Volston earning 51.45% to 48.55% for Bannich.

While the former governor took the state's two-largest counties in population, Hinterwin and Fairfield, albeit by modest margins, Volston won the state's third and fourth-largest counties, Addieburg and Malden.

She also won a majority of the state's mid-sized counties by wider margins. The two split rural counties relatively evenly.

Around 9:00 pm on Saturday night, Bannich called Volston to concede. At his election night gathering at an Irish pub in east Fairfield, where he was born and raised, Bannich congratulated Volston on her historic win.

"Never before has South Ceona had a female gubernatorial nominee. Patty, tonight you made history. And I congratulate you on your win. And I look forward to seeing you make history this fall when you become our state's first female governor," said a proud Bannich.

While Bannich supporters were noticeably disappointed, many in attendance at the Bannich election night party were supportive of Volston and pledged to vote for her.

At her party over in High Point, an eastern suburb of Fairfield, Volston beamed as the cameras zoomed in on her for her victory speech.

While her supporters sipped wine and celebrated to live music on the terrace outside an upscale wine bar, Volston went around and shook hands.

In her speech, she thanked Bannich for his years of service to the state.

"Scott, thank you for all you've done for our state. And all you continue to do. I especially admire the free dental care you provide to people in need in east Fairfield. You truly are an icon in this state, and I think that's clear by just how close this race was," said Volston.

Turning to the general election, Volston reminded her supporters of the uphill battle against incumbent CNS Gov. Mike Lembcke.

"We had a close primary election. This was a tough one. It was close, our party was divided somewhat. But as we head into the fall election, we aren't divided anymore. We're all on the same team. And we all agree that Mike Lembcke is wrong for South Ceona. His policies are hurting South Ceona's families. And we have to win this December, we simply have to. For the sake of our children, our seniors, our economy, for the vulnerable...we have to win."

Lembcke's office released a Facebook statement Sunday evening congratulating Volston on winning the NAT nomination, although the written statement was also an insult.

"Congratulations to 'Wacky Patty Volston' for winning her party's nomination. I look forward to debating her lunatic left policies and showing the people of South Ceona what her socialist policies would do to our economy and our beloved state," wrote Lembcke.

While Volston was the more left-leaning candidate in the NAT primary, compared to other Nationalists from around the nation, Volston is more of a traditional Nationalist. 

Conservatives, however, have already begun to tie Volston to Ansleigha Gov. Agatha Houndsler, who is an unabashed social democratic progressive. 

"Patty Volston is South Ceona's Agatha Houndsler. The two look alike, they act alike, and they both support radical left policies," says the narrator in a CNS-sponsored ad on Fairfield's local television channel.

Volston has supported some left-wing policies, such as Universal Basic Income (UBI), increasing funding for homeless services, including providing free bus passes to homeless South Ceonans.

However, Volston does not support giving clean needles to drug addicts, despite a viral post on Facebook circulating among the state's Conservatives.

Bannich shared many policy positions with Volston. The former governor has worked closely with the homeless population in Fairfield, and has been a staunch advocate for the homeless and the needy. On economic issues and taxes, though, he is more moderate, favoring lower taxes and less spending.

Volston has advocated for a tax increase on wealthy South Ceonans, as well as budget increases for health care and education.

The two NAT candidates widely agreed on transit, environmental and social issues.

Volston is now focusing on the general election. She announced Sunday morning that she has chosen state Sen. Jaime Eskin (N-west Fairfield) as her running mate.

Eskin is openly gay, and would be a history-making lieutenant governor, if the pair were to win.

Polls have shown a close race between Volston and Lembcke, with voters split evenly between the two.

Most political prognosticators consider the South Ceona governor's race to be a toss-up.

***South Ceona Governor Primary Election -- NAT -- Unofficial Results***

Bannich	Volston
281,571	298,354
48.55%	51.45%

Kalnier's left-wing dealt blow with DeSalle primary win

HATHAWAY, Kal. -- Leftists in Kalnier are still reeling from their primary loss in the state's NAT gubernatorial primary last month.

After a recount, progressive former Gov. Nick Hall (N) lost his bid for a second term to another former NAT governor, Karen DeSalle.

The race between the two former state executives came down not only to age, but also different factions of the party.

Neither Hall nor DeSalle are moderate. They're both firmly liberal Nationalists.

However, Hall, just age 42, is from the progress left wing of the party, while DeSalle, 58, is a traditional, run-of-the-mill Nationalist, firmly in the party establishment.

Hall's supporters were hoping to ride a recent left-wing populist wave that has seen left-wing candidates winning in other countries, particularly in the United States and Great Britain.

However, after a recount, Hall fell further behind DeSalle.

The final county had DeSalle with 44% to Hall's 42 percent. Businessman and political newcomer Chris Kinlock took 14 percent, respectively.

Hall conceded to DeSalle and wished her well as she continues her candidacy and faces off against Conservative Mark Radowski in the December election.

For her part, DeSalle has rebuffed some of the criticisms she's faced from her party's left flank.

"I'm not a moderate. I'm not a centrist. I'm a liberal. I'm a proud Nationalist. I'm pro-union. I'm pro-women. I'm pro-senior. I'm pro-trans and LGBT. I'm pro-diversity. I'm not sure why his people (Hall's supporters) are coming after me for not being sufficiently progressive," said DeSalle in a radio interview back in May.

Her comments were almost immediately turned into a political campaign TV and radio advertisement by Conservatives, who used her comments to portray her as "extreme."

But for progressives who backed the younger and more hardcore Hall, Desalle's candidacy is just "more of the same."

"She doesn't bring anything new to the table," said Shai Anonan, an artist from downtown Lamberth. "Karen DeSalle is literally part of the old party guard. She is right on many issues, but on other issues, like bail reform, medicare for all, UBI (universal basic income), houselessness and free pre-K for all, she is really just disappointingly not in favor of those things."

DeSalle is attempting to reclaim the governorship after she lost reelection back in 2014.

In Radowski, a former Drogen County sheriff, DeSalle faces a law-and-order candidate who has assailed Nationalist policies on crime and homelessness.

"We know where Karen DeSalle stands on crime and homelessness. We know because she was governor once before and we saw the inaction and the inept policies she enforced back then," said Radowski in a TV news interview last week. "Her policy is less police, limit what police can do and who/when they can arrest, let homeless people abound on the streets, let them do drugs out in the open, and let them commit crimes and get away with it with no punishment. That's the Karen DeSalle policy on crime and homelessness."

The DeSalle campaign disputed that characterization, with a campaign spokesperson calling Radowski's comments "utterly and completely false."

"Karen DeSalle supports a strong and robust law enforcement presence in Lamberth and in all Kalnier communities. She supports building housing and shelter facilities for those who are unhoused. And she supports treatment, including mandatory treatment in some cases," said spokesman Robby Parsons.

As a former Under-Secretary of Housing under the McCaren Administration, DeSalle has phrased her experience as vital to tackling homelessness in Kalnier, which has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the nation.

However, Conservative critics have pointed to ineffective policies as evidence that DeSalle's housing experience is inadequate.

"If Karen DeSalle has all these great ideas for housing and ending homelessness, why do we continue to have one of the largest rates in the country?" asked right-wing radio host Mike Mitchell.

Current Gov. Tony Ritonio, a Conservative, has taken a hard-line on homelessness. His administration has forced homeless camps to move, has attempted to commit a record number of addicted and mentally ill homeless people into mandatory treatment, and has beefed up police patrols in Lamberth, where the state's homelessness crisis appears to be centered.

Nationalist critics have called Ritonio's policies "inhumane and ineffective," and are continuing to espouse voluntary treatment and social services over arresting and jailing homeless people.

"Arresting and booking homeless people into jail does absolutely no good. It costs taxpayers money, and it doesn't help the homeless person who needs a safe place to sleep at night," said Tiffany Day, executive director of the Kalnier Housing Coalition.

It's clear in addition to the economy, which is struggling in Kalnier, homelessness and crime will once again play a central role in the 2026 campaign, as they did in previous elections.

Radowski and DeSalle are scheduled to have their first televised debate next month in suburban Lamberth.

Wolmach-Duvan rift persists after gubernatorial primary

MADAGEN, Mar. -- They used to be close allies, but former Federal Sen. Heidi Wolmach and Damoign Gov. Jenna Duvan are reportedly on the outs right now.

The schism in their relationship stems from a few months ago, when Duvan threw her support to Marchenay Lt. Gov. Kevin Levenetti in the Marchenay NAT gubernatorial primary.

At the time, Duvan, who has long held close relationships with fellow NAT women politicians and has championed women in NAT leadership, explained her backing of Levenetti as simply strategy.

"I know Kevin, I've worked closely with him. He has been in this race for over a year, he has raised the most money and gotten the most endorsements. I believe he is the best candidate to win in December, and my endorsement is simply based on which candidate is best positioned to win," said Duvan back in April.

Wolmach responded by saying she was "surprised" Duvan was backing her opponent over her. However, "politics is a fickle game," she told reporters at the time.

After Wolmach's surprise win in the June primary, she and Duvan met in Grassadellia City, ostensibly to bury the hatchet. 

Duvan announced she would support Wolmach in the general election, and the two shared lunch together at a posh bistro in the heart of the city.

However, sources close to both liberal women say the tension is lingering between Duvan and Wolmach.

"Heidi is still pissed off that Jenna endorsed Levenetti over her. There's a lot of hurt feelings and bitterness there," said one close ally of Wolmach, who asked for anonymity, so as to speak freely.

A close associate of Duvan told The Grassadellia City Times that Duvan's endorsement was "purely business."

"No politician wants to endorse a loser. Kevin Levenetti was expected to win. He had a better chance of winning. He had the establishment behind him. Jenna just made the safe and logical decision, which was to back the leader. Unfortunately, he came up short and the horse Jenna bet on didn't win," said the Duvan confidante.

Still, Duvan said publicly she would campaign with Wolmach later in the year, if asked.

So far, no official plans have been made, according to representatives from both women's offices.

Wolmach is challenging popular incumbent Gov. Mike Shannon (C), who is seeking a second term.

If he wins, he'll be the first governor of Marchenay to win a second full term.

If she wins, Wolmach will become the second female governor of Marchenay, and the first person to serve as both governor and federal senator from the state.