DeGant will face Kozzy in Wellington governor's race

OLAN SPRINGS, Well. -- A late surge by NAT realtor Diane Hansenhauer was not enough to propel the political newcomer to victory Saturday night in Wellington's NAT gubernatorial primary election.

Hansenhauer, of Longblade, fell short to Olan Springs Mayor Kevin DeGant.

DeGant had entered the race first. As he consolidated support from statewide and national leaders, other lesser-known candidates quietly exited the NAT race for governor, paving the way for the moderate mayor.

Hansenhauer ran to DeGant's left, focusing on Social Security and cost-of-living issues. 

DeGant centered his campaign around the economy, taxes, and fiscal restraint.

Billionaire tech CEO Andrew Gill was the only other serious candidate left in the race this summer when he dropped out of the race and declined to endorse either candidate.

Another tech CEO, Pakistani-Grassadellian Karin Sojar of Lunden Plains, remained in the race, and finished with just four percent.

Late Saturday night, Hansenhauer called DeGant to congratulate him on his win.

"I hope Kevin DeGant is successful as he takes on Bob Kozzy," Hansenhauer told reporters, referring to incumbent CNS Gov. Bob Kozzy, who is up for reelection.

At his campaign celebration in Olan Springs, DeGant thanked his supporters and pledged to "bring common sense" back to Starksmin.

"Bob Kozzy is erratic; he's extreme; he's not right for Wellington," DeGant said to cheers.

On his official "X" account (formerly Twitter), Kozzy spoke out Sunday morning, congratulating DeGant but then attacking his "failed policies."

"Congrats to Kevin DeGant on winning the NAT nomination. I look forward to a healthy and robust debate," said Kozzy.

He added, "I also look forward to sharing with Wellingtonians all the 'woke' failed policies DeGant has espoused an supported as Mayor of Olan Springs."

Kozzy didn't elaborate on which policies he was referring to, but it's likely he was referring to environmental ordinances DeGant championed in the tourist town of Olan Springs.

While he is known in the Olan Springs area, DeGant is not well known throughout the rest of the state. The 49-year-old has never ran for statewide office before, and is far behind Kozzy in money.

Still, the young DeGant is hoping to capitalize on his campaign for a lower cost-of-living, and the mayor is hoping Kozzy's frequent outbursts at journalists and political opponents works to his favor.

The governor is well known for his frequent arguments with journalists and NAT politicians. DeGant says he'll be "a normal governor" who won't explode on journalists and political rivals.

"I just think that kind of behavior is unbecoming of a governor. That's how Donald Trump acts, and Wellingtonians want someone who will represent them well and make them proud," said DeGant.

It's unknown yet who DeGant will choose as his running mate. Sources close to the nominee believe he will pick another moderate, centrist candidate to join his ticket.

Kozzy is seeking his second term, running alongside his longtime ally Lt. Gov. Liz McKinn.

Most political prognosticators rate the Wellington race as favoring Kozzy, however, voter turnout, cost-of-living, and the national mood could affect the election results.

"It's way too early to be forecasting how this race is going to go," said Wellington University Political Science Professor Jesse Garrett.

On Sunday, Hansenhauer and Sonar both endorsed DeGant on their social media pages, unifying the state's NAT party.

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

1,323,824	Total Votes										674,070	57,319	592,435
15%	Turnout	DeGant	Sojar	Hansenhauer							DeGant	Sojar	Hansenhauer
		50.92%	4.33%	44.75%

Senator Ramsey says Trump has 'lost the trust of the American people'

ELMHURST, Asl. -- Though she's never met Donald Trump, Ansleigha Sen. Pat Ramsey (C) was asked at a town hall meeting this weekend what her thoughts were on the US president, whose approval ratings have taken a nosedive in recent weeks.

"I'm not sure if I'm the person to ask about Donald Trump, that's really an issue for the American people to deal with," said Ramsey. "But I would say, from what I've seen, with the US economy struggling, with the war in Iran, with Greenland and Canada and all his comments on those things, I think Trump has lost the trust of the American people. And really the entire world."

"It's unfortunate, because I think when he was reelected back in 2024, the American people had a lot of faith in him to turn the economy around, to avoid wars, and to maybe be a statesman in his second term, however rough-around-the-edges he may be," said Ramsey. "But I think we've seen that's not what's happened. He hasn't softened in his second term, he's really become more intransigent and dug in his heels."

Ramsey was then asked by the moderator if she thought Grassadellia should "seek distance" from the United States during Trump's current tenure.

"I don't think we need distance. We need to work together to prevent terrorism and to prevent tyranny and to support free trade and commerce between our countries. So I don't think seeking distance is the answer," she said. "But when the Americans are on the wrong side of the issue, when they see things differently than us, when they push through a policy that is harmful to Grassadellia or is concerning to us, I think we need to speak up loudly. Not rudely, but loudly. And we need to say, 'Hold up, hold on, we have an issue here that needs to be addressed before we move forward.'"

Ramsey described Trump's plan to take Greenland away from Denmark as "not entirely absurd."

"I can see the value that Greenland has militarily and for national security, so I can see why he would want it or want to have some presence there," said Ramsey. "I think the way he went about it was, as is usual with Donald Trump, clumsy and not very well thought through."

In response to the Conservative senator's comments, the White House called Ramsey "a third-rate senator" and "a dusty relic of the Nixon years." 

Ramsey first got her start in government and international affairs during the 1970s, although she wasn't elected to public office until six years ago.

The Conservative senator, who is among the most hawkish and outspoken on foreign affairs in the Senate, did not respond to the White House's insults.

Ramsey is up for reelection this year. She is facing former NAT Sen. Carol DelLorean.

Conservatives shovel money into N.C. Senate race

PARKINS, N.C. -- One of North Ceona's senators is facing a fight for her political life.

Wendy MacDonald is the unlucky recipient of millions of dollars of negative ad spending by her Conservative opponent Tom Cozier and his allies.

Cozier, a former governor, has sought a Senate seat twice before, losing in close races both times.

This time around, he's running against MacDonald, a former community organizer and liberal activist from urban Parkins.

Cozier considered running against Sen. Anthony Campanelli (N), who is also up for reelection. However, the former CNS governor decided MacDonald was more vulnerable.

Now, Cozier and his allies are raising record funds to defeat MacDonald.

Cozier himself has raised only about $2.29 million, not an impressive sum. But dark money groups associated with him, and political action committees (PACs), have raised $6.29 million.

That money far exceeds the $4.01 million MacDonald has raised.

Aides to Cozier and within the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee (CSCC) say MacDonald is vulnerable.

"Anthony Campanelli is fairly popular statewide with a lot of voters. Wendy MacDonald is popular with liberal white women. And that's about it," Roger Everson, a conservative operative who has worked closely with CNS candidates in North Ceona in the past, told GNN.

MacDonald is a first-term senator seeking reelection for the first time. In 2020, she narrowly beat CNS incumbent Ken Estall. Conservatives believe she is beatable this election.

Cozier, a somewhat popular former governor, was considered a shoo-in when he first ran for the Senate back in 2020. He lost that race to Campanelli.

In 2022, Cozier tried again, this time losing to Sen. Elizabeth Graham (N).

Now, the former governor says this will be his last race if he loses.

"If I don't win this one, then I'm done. I'm out of the game, at least in terms of elected office," Cozier told reporters last week at a campaign stop in south Parkins.

Friends of MacDonald say the first-term senator is not as visible as other senators, but she is often behind the scenes working to make deals with her Conservative colleagues and to whip her NAT colleagues into voting for the party's agenda.

"Wendy MacDonald has delivered for North Ceona, specifically for working North Ceona families, for seniors, for minorities and low-income North Ceonans, and for women," said fellow NAT senator David Acade (Veroche).

Elizabeth Graham described MacDonald as, "for lack of a better term, the Senate's workhorse."

"She isn't in the spotlight very much. She doesn't go on all the cable news programs and give press conferences. But Wendy MacDonald gets things done. She is the sole reason that many important pieces of legislation have passed, including maternity leave, breast feeding, and expanding access to food banks," said Graham.

The question now is whether North Ceona's voters will choose to hang on to MacDonald, who flies under the radar, or whether they will pick a twice-unsuccessful Senate nominee from the Conservative side.

The two candidates are scheduled to debate in east Parkins on Monday, October 5, and again in Cape Goodwin, North Gallaghan, and Berwick later this month.

Dowd leads Newkirk in close NP governor's race

PRYNNE, NP -- The tiny state of New Portsmouth is poised for another marquee governor's race this year, if recent polling is any indicator.

Conservative and libertarian-leaning Governor Barry Newkirk is seeking a third two-year term, but he's facing some strong headwinds from his NAT opponent, Federal Senator Jean Larae Dowd.

Dowd won the NAT's nomination last week, after a close four-way race that included two former senators and a former attorney general.

Dowd narrowly prevailed over Michael Berryham, the state's progressive former AG, by just 1.5 percent.

The initial count had Dowd leading by slightly less than one percent. While the race was close, a mandatory recount was not automatically triggered, as state law says a candidate must lead by 0.5 percent or less for an automatic recount to be held.

However, the Berryham campaign requested a recount, at a cost of $477,000, which the Berryham campaign paid for.

The recount, which included more ballots from military and late-arriving mail-in ballots, had Dowd expanding her lead, with a still very close outcome.

Dowd's expanded lead, however, was enough for Berryham to concede.

He joined former Sen. Chris McConnitch, who placed third with almost 27 percent, and former Sen. Clinton Ashby, who received less than five percent.

Berryham, a staunch progressive who has unsuccessfully sought multiple offices since leaving his former AG position, urged Dowd to pursue a progressive agenda as governor, should she win.

"I am happy to endorse Jean Larae Dowd for governor, but I hope she won't forget the progressive voters who backed me and my campaign, and all the urgent needs our state has. We can't afford compromise. We can't afford watering down policy to win over Conservative support. We need progressive action now," said a determined Berryham.

At her election night celebration in Dayle-Locke's central business district, Dowd pledged to increase state spending on education, climate change mitigation, and health care.

"When I'm elected governor, we will put seniors and children first. We will put disabled and otherly abled New Portsmouthians first. We will put the corporations and businesses last," she said, to resounding applause.

Upon winning the NAT primary, Newkirk immediately attacked Dowd as "another liberal old white lady."

He and his supporters attacked 81-year-old former Gov. Welma Sidley with similar insults when she ran against Newkirk in both 2024 and 2022.

"It appears Conservatives are pulling out the same old playbook that they used against Welma," said Dowd at a campaign event in Fellwood County Sunday. "New Portsmouth voters see right through these attacks."

Newkirk posted on his official "X" account (formerly Twitter) that he had congratulated Dowd on her primary victory, and he looked forward to crossing paths on the campaign trail.

"New Portsmouthians are very spirited people," said Newkirk. "We care about our property, about our taxes, about our freedoms. And I look forward to showcasing my views and policies against those of liberal Jean Larae Dowd, who wants to take away guns, who wants to increase taxes, who wants to take away property rights and gas stoves and wood stoves all in the name of fighting climate change and making 'progress.'"

Newkirk has his work cut out for him, though.

A recent Insiders poll shows Dowd, who has served in the Senate for two terms and enjoyed high popularity, leading the incumbent, albeit narrowly, 51 to 47 percent, respectively.

The Dowd campaign heralded the poll, saying it was evidence that New Portsmouth's voters are embracing the senator's agenda.

The Newkirk campaign said the governor has expected this year's election to be close, and he is campaigning "like he's applying for a job, trying to convince the board of directors to hire him," said Newkirk campaign spokesman Jacob Winters.

Dowd also received endorsements from McConnitch and Ashby. She has yet to announce her running mate, but many insiders believe she will pick a woman, which be a history-making choice if the duo wins in December.

***Election Results -- New Portsmouth Governor's Race -- NAT***

286,090	95,694	33.45%	99,985	34.95%	76,329	26.68%	14,083	4.92%
Total Votes		33.45%		34.95%		26.68%		4.92%
100%		Berryham		Dowd		McConnitch		Ashby

Jordan holds back Kelly in tight Biereland governor's primary

FARNHAM, Bie. -- A generational battle in Biereland's Conservative Party has come to an end tonight, with former Gov. Ben Jordan winning his party's nomination for a fourth time.

Political newcomer 46-year-old Chris Kelly challenged Jordan for the nomination, and despite being outspent 6-to-1 and having no name recognition, Kelly received nearly half the votes in Saturday's CNS primary election.

Jordan won, but only by about two percent, a difference of about 16,000 votes out of more than 760,000 cast statewide.

His narrow primary win means Jordan will once again face Nationalist Gov. Joel Gruenwalder, who is seeking a second term.

The two men faced each other four years ago, when Jordan first sought an historic third term.

Though Biereland is a conservative state, Gruenwalder ran as a moderate, and has governed as a centrist.

The hardline Conservative Jordan has portrayed Gruenwalder as "a liberal in sheep's clothing," and has vowed to turn Biereland red again in the fall election.

Kelly, who had never sought political office before, cast himself as a "conservative alternative" to Jordan.

The two CNS candidates largely agreed on policy, but Kelly took some more moderate positions, like embracing cooperation with federal authorities, advocating for more conservative of public lands, and an increase in education spending.

Jordan, a staunch conservative, opposed all those positions, and cast himself as "the true conservative" in the race.

The votes fell along ideological lines, but at times, generational lines too, with many younger, urban and educated voters backing Kelly, while rural, elderly and blue collar voters largely backed Jordan.

During the campaign, which at times got heated, Kelly described Jordan as "old moldy bread that needs to be thrown out."

"Ben Jordan was a decent governor, but he's been around too long. He's like that loaf of bread that you have on your kitchen counter. It was good last week when it was fresh, but now it's turning moldy and green and nasty, and it needs to be tossed in the trash," said Kelly.

But Jordan fired back, questioning Kelly's conservative credentials.

"Chris Kelly calls himself a conservative, but he's really just a Nationalist-lite," said Jordan. "Chris is just one step lower on the liberal ladder than San Bartholomew, Joel Gruenwalder, Julie Grendhau, Ben Attenbrier, and Kellianne Kiersbright."

Jordan was referring to Biereland's leading NAT elected officials, including former Governor Bartholomew, former federal Sen. Grendhau, current federal Senator Attenbrier, and current Secretary of State Kiersbright, who is running against CNS Senator Driscoll Sherber.

At his election night party in north Brookings Saturday, Jordan told his supporters that his campaign is less about him and more about returning Biereland into Conservative hands.

"This race isn't really about Ben Jordan. It's about stopping the radical Nationalists from ruining our state. It's about making Biereland red again, as it always has been and should be," said a defiant Jordan.

At his election night gathering over in neighboring Farnham County, northeast of Brookings, Kelly told his audience that he had phoned Jordan to concede, to which the audience booed.

"This was a close race, but Ben Jordan won, and we have to respect that," said Kelly. "I think for my first run for office, for my team's first campaign, for what little money we had to spend going up against the establishment, I think we did pretty damn well."

Cheers filled the family restaurant where Kelly supporters had gathered.

When asked by reporters afterwards if he would endorse Jordan, Kelly declined to give an answer.

"I'll have to think about that and get back to you," he said.

Jordan said he would welcome Kelly's endorsement, but added, "I won't lose any sleep if he doesn't endorse me."

For his part, Gruenwalder phoned Jordan late Saturday night to congratulate him on his win.

Neither man would comment on their conversation.

In 2022, Gruenwalder beat Jordan by slightly more than a percentage point.

Since he took over the governorship, Gruenwalder has made conservation, education and jobs his main priority.

Biereland's economy remains fairly strong, despite a decade of stagnancy.

Conservative critics, including Jordan, say Nationalists have raised taxes, failed to invest in transportation, and neglected funding for the trades.

Small towns and rural counties have also been ignored or downright mistreated by Nationalists, according to Jordan.

"The disrespect this governor and his NAT cronies show our small, rural farming towns is just astonishing," said Jordan at a campaign stop in Gerbannon last month.

Gruenwalder supporters say the governor has made a point to avoid highly controversial issues.

"Joel is focused on jobs, jobs, jobs," said Joseph Schilling, an NAT operative who has worked closely with Gruenwalder and other NAT candidates in the past decade.

"In Joel Gruenwalder, we have a governor who is focused on making Biereland competitive again. Under Ben Jordan, Biereland's economy stalled and we lost jobs. Joel is bringing those jobs and investments back into our state. We're so much better off with Joel Gruenwalder in Brookings," said Schilling.

***Unofficial Election Results -- Biereland CNS Primary -- Governor***

Total votes: 769,202				376,506	392,697
				48.95%	51.05%
100%
				Kelly	Jordan

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