Riley Enters Tight Race For DES Governor

DR businessman says voters want alternative to NAT and CNS candidates

BERIVIAN, Deschire--Democratic Reformist activist Grant Riley announced today he will join the race for governor in Deschire's special election coming this November. Already running are Lieutenant Governor Jake Kemp (NAT) and Conservative State Delegate Sharon Kelley.

Riley's candidacy had been expected for some time, though he didn't make it official until this morning at a news conference in Berivian, where he said he believes the two candidates already seeking the office are not fit for the job.

"With all due respect, Jake Kemp is simply not in a position to assume the job. He is deeply embroiled in the Jane Sonda bribery-fraud scandal. And Sharon Kelley does not have the experience nor the qualifications for the job either."

Riley was referring to Kemp's alleged involvement in former governor Jane Sonda's bribery and fraud scandal. Following the breaking of the scandal, Sonda survived a recall attempt launched against her, but was subsequently impeached by the Deschire State House of Delegates. Kemp has denied any involvement in the case, though unproven accusations have still been made against him.

Sonda was arrested and charged with fifteen counts of bribery, two counts of illegal gambling, three counts of conspiracy, twelve counts of assisting in the commission of a crime, and one count of obstruction of justice. In addition, she was also charged with third degree assault after she allegedly attacked a police officer during a court hearing. She has since settled the assault suit out of court, but her trial for the other alleged crimes is still in progress.

Kemp has been trying to distance himself from Sonda ever since the scandal first broke. The night of the special recall election, while the votes were being tallied, Kemp told Sonda and her supporters that if, "God forbid, Jane is recalled, I will then seek her position. This is not because we want to get rid of her, because we don't. We want Jane to stay. But if she is removed from office, I believe I would be the next best-positioned person to assume her role."

Kemp's enemies allege that while his comments appeared to be in support of Sonda, he was actually subtly hinting that Sonda would be removed and he would take over as governor.

The people of Deschire, however, have, so far, made little connection between Kemp and the embattled Sonda. Investigators haven't been able to link the two either. Police have yet to charge Kemp with anything, citing a lack of evidence. Furthermore, Deschire Provincial Police Sergeant Don Jurisma told reporters on May 5 that "there is no evidence to even indicate Mr. Kemp was involved in this case or had any knowledge of it."

While some voters are still suspicious of Kemp, many have faith in him. His opponent, Sharon Kelley, has hinted that Kemp may have been involved in the scandal, though she has never specifically, publicly mentioned anything of that nature.

This past week, two polls were conducted. The first, by WOAB-TV and GBC NEWS. The results: Jake Kemp with 45%, Sharon Kelley with 42%, and Grant Riley, who at the time was not officially running, with 13%.

Another poll, sponsored by the non-profit/non-partisan Alliance For Better Government, showed similar results, only in this poll, respondents were allowed to select "undecided." Some 37% supported Kemp, 32% supported Kelley, 10% for Riley, and 21% selected undecided.

Both polls also showed Kemp gaining ground in rural eastern Deschire, which is a predominantly Conservative area. At the same time, the polls also showed Kelley gaining support in west-central Deschire, most notably in Brookeford.

Riley says his candidacy will change the scope of the election.

"Voters now have a third party to vote for. They don't really want to vote for Jake Kemp, because he's too close to this whole Sonda scandal thing. But they don't really feel Sharon Kelley is qualified either. They'd rather vote for someone who is outside of the two main parties and who has no connections to North Bridge whatsoever. They want an outsider, someone who is not afraid to change. This is about reform. And the voters are going to vote for reform."