Chames Bows Out Of Damoign House Race

Two-Term NAT Representative Says Lackluster Fundraising Reason For Dropping Out

MATTINOW, DMG--Damoign Rep. Sasha Chames announced Wednesday she is dropping out of the race for the open House of Delegates seat after her months-old campaign has gained little traction.

Lackluster fundraising was the primary reason Chames, a two-term congresswoman from Damoign's 12th district, dropped out.

A poll released by the GBC yesterday was the final straw, according to campaign spokeswoman Mary Lou Dome. The poll showed Chames with just 2% of support from likely NAT voters.

"Sasha had been campaigning for months, and it just never gained traction. We couldn't compete with the other high-powered candidates. There wasn't enough money out there for us," Dome said.

The race for the open seat is a crowded one. So far, there are now 13 NAT candidates (not including Chames) in the running, and on the conservative side, there are 9 announced candidates. There are also four DR candidates, as well as one independent running.

Yesterday's poll surveyed both parties. On the NAT side, Rep. Allison McGint was in the lead with 14%, followed closely behind by Rep. Peter Bennelly with 13%, Mark Andres, Mayor of Harvannah with 12%, and Rep. Melissa Chavez-Hollings with 10%. Other candidates included Rep. Jean Chaveau-9%, Rep. Shard Bergen, former house candidate Jack Schlessinger, and Rep. Betsy Deedrick all with 8%, Rep. Dahmariche Michaelikov-5%, Reps. Bruce Cardinelli and Michelle Gates-4%, Mattinow Mayor Chaz Beio-3%, Chames-2%, and environmentalist Melissa Swamp-1%.

The conservative side was split also. On top was Grassadella City Mayor Sid Hoffa with 26%, followed by Rep. Ron Wilder with 20%, and Christian leader Mercer Diego with 18%. Rep. Roman Chatskovy registered 14%, Rep. Kyle Rhimren-9%, Rep. Patty Waters-6%, conservative businessman Michel Dillon-5%, Rep. Brandon O'Malley-3%, and conservative journalist Rali Ramont with less than one percent.

It's tough for voters to decide when there are so many good candidates, says Damoign University politics professor Dan Besch.

"The problem for voters is there isn't just one candidate that they love more than everyone else. There are three or four or five candidates that they like equally, and so it makes it very tough. That's why you're not seeing one candidate way out in front. Because voters are split," he said.

And, as Ms. Chames discovered, money can be hard to get.

"Some candidates are just better at raising money, and they really solicit the funds a lot better than others," Besch said. "It's all about fundraising."

Congresswoman Chames has no hard feelings though. After announcing she's leaving the race, she endorsed one of her opponents, Allison McGint.

"I think Allison is the best candidate for the job. She's a great friend of mine, and I know personally that she'll put the people of Damoign first."

McGint's campaign returned the pleasantries, thanking Chames for her "valuable service on behalf of all Damoignites and Grassadellans," and praised her for her "strong leadership in the National Assembly."

Chames says she will now focus on running for reelection to the National Assembly.