Andres Wins Governorship, Olsen and Giorchani Concede After Voting Problems

Judge Orders Recounts In Several Counties

HARLYNE, HVN--Nationalist Mark Andres, the mayor of Harlyne, has won the governorship of Harvannah, the Damoign Secretary of State's Office confirmed today. The results come following a day of recounts, after a state judge ordered a re-evaluation of ballots in five counties.

Andres defeated his two rivals, democratic-reformist Bernie Olsen and conservative Julia Giorchani, narrowly--winning just 35% to Olsen's 33% and Giorchani's 32%. Damoign Secretary of State Rob Mercheck said Andres led with 104,237 votes, while Olsen had 99,760, and Giorchani 95,038.

Earlier counts of the ballots showed a wider lead for Andres. But after complaints were filed by the Olsen and Giorchani campaigns, a state judge ordered recounts in Scandinaugh, Bourneham, Saoca, Enore, and Hamith counties.

The recounts saw more votes for both Olsen and Giorchani. They were later certified by county elections officials. Officials believe mistakes by elections workers were responsible for the wrong numbers, not vote tampering by any candidates' campaigns.

The final tally of votes showed interesting results. Andres was strong in Scandinaugh and Bourneham counties, the two liberal strong-holds in the state. Giorchani did expectedly well in eastern Harvannah, where voters typically trend conservative. Olsen did not win a majority of votes in any counties, but was competetive state-wide.

Mark Andres' victory was not surprising. The popular mayor of Harlyne was expected to win in the nationalist-leaning state.

After being declared the winner, Andres told the almost 3,600 supporters gathered at Centre Square in Harlyne that his vision for the state would be implemented right away.

"When we set out on this mission, we had a lot of dreams, and a lot of goals," Andres said. "Now, it is time for us to get to work to accomplish the goals we have set for our state."

He also spoke of bridging partisan differences between political parties.

"I will bring with me to Clevey Springs the same principles of leadership that guided me as mayor of Harlyne, that guided me in my candidacy for the House, and that continue to guide me to this very day," he said.

Just a few blocks away, Bernie Olsen spoke to supporters at the Downey Conference Centre, telling the crowd of nearly 2,500 people that though he lost the race, he was "proud of the race we ran."

"Before I entered this race, we had two grossly inexperienced and unqualified candidates. There was no alternative, no other option. That's when, at the prompting of friends, neighbors, and supporters, I decided to run--to give the voters of Harvannah a different choice, a better option," Olsen said to cheering fans. "We didn't win, but we gave the people of Harvannah a better choice."

The mood was more despondent at Julia Giorchani's "victory party." Only about 1,100 people were in attendance, and the atmosphere was somber. Giorchani said she too was disappointed, but pleased at the tough campaign she ran.

"It is disappointing," she said. "We sustained attacks from our opponents' parties, and even from within our own party. We went through the storm, and we were bruised and tattered, but we emerged strong," she said.

Giorchani added that she had conceded to Andres.

"I did call Mayor Andres, and I conceded," she said. "I thank him for a hard-fought campaign."

Olsen did the same.

"I congratulate Mayor Andres on his victory. I sincerely hope that he will deliver on his promise to be bipartisan," he said.

Andres is slated to officially begin his term on Monday, June 9th.