Hjelms Draws Bi-Partisan Support In Bid For Governorship

D-R candidate attracts supporters from all parties

GRASSADELLA CITY, DMG--Gubernatorial candidate Isaac Hjelms (D-R), once considered a long-shot at winning the governor's mansion, is now rising in the polls and earning support from all sides of the political spectrum.

The 31-year-old entrepreneur has branded himself as an independent-minded alternative to the two other candidates, incumbent Jim McCaren (NAT) and Grassadella City mayor Sid Hoffa (CNS).

"Unlike my two opponents, I haven't been a politician for a majority of my life. I'm not friends with powerful lobbyists and party bosses. And I don't live in an affluent, gated community," Hjelms told a crowd in Mattinow.

And he seems to be attracting supporters from all parties. Yesterday, conservative Senator Brian Altamont announced his endorsement of Hjelms. Joining Altamont were out-going Sen. Kory Brown (NAT) and several NAT members of Congress, including Reps. Sasha Chames, Yona Chi, Carl LeBeck, Cynthia Mahoney, and Dahmariche Michaelikov. Additionally, four of the state's seven democratic-reformist representatives threw their support to Hjelms, among them, Reps. Geoff Borinsky, Michael Mitzen, Daphne McChildress, and Judy Matthis.

Many members of Damoign's congressional delegation are staying neutral. Most notably, D-R Reps. Franz Furhlman and Sara Bowdin declined to endorse Hjelms. And one democratic-reformist congresswoman, Jessica Blaine of Lacarthy, switched sides and announced her support for Hoffa.

Despite his wide ideological appeal, Mr. Hjelms still trails both McCaren and Hoffa in the polls, though he is improving. Last month, Hjelms was receiving about 12% of support from likely voters. In the latest poll last week, he is at 20%. And his rising numbers are cause for concern for the McCaren and Hoffa camps. Hjelms' encompassing support, youthful good looks, and most importantly, his message of change, could combine to make him a powerful force in the election.

"Isaac Hjelms is basically saying that the nationalists and the conservatives have been in power too long, and Damoign needs a third-party candidate to get real change accomplished," says Deedrick University political science professor Don Edin.

But both McCaren and Hoffa have attacked Hjelms for his youth, inexperience, and naivete.

"Isaac Hjelms is a nice, young, good-looking guy...a lot of young people in our state like him, but the fact is he's just not ready to lead our state," McCaren told a group of seniors in Grassadella City.

Hoffa mirrored those comments.

"Tell me who's more qualified: Isaac Hjelms or Sid Hoffa," he said.

Hjelms' campaign brushes off the attacks, and says the recent mud-slinging is proof Hjelms is finally emerging as a serious candidate.

"The reason Jim McCaren and Sid Hoffa are attacking Isaac Hjelms is because they're worried that he's going to win," Julie MacDama, spokeswoman for the campaign said. "And they've got good reason to be afraid because most Damoignites are tired of the same old guys, the good ol' boys with connections to lobbyists and party big-wigs, running the show."

In the money race, Hjelms is making up ground too. As of September 15th, Hoffa led the money race with $15.4 million, while McCaren had $11.3 million. Hjelms now has $5.6 million on hand.

Kelley, Kemp Overly Friendly In First Debate

Two candidates bring slice of civility to a rough campaign

ARCH-HAMPTON, DES--In their first debate of the election season, Governor Sharon Kelley (CNS) and challenger Lt. Governor Jake Kemp (NAT) openly disagreed on the issues, but did so in a more civil manner than in previous encounters.

The debate was almost strangely friendly at times, with both candidates throwing out compliments and lavishing praise on each other.

In their opening statements, the two exchanged pleasantries. Governor Kelley fondly referred to Kemp by his first name, "Jake," calling him "a worthy opponent." Kelley stressed their mutual concern for their constituents, saying, "Jake and I both share a commitment and love for our state and a concern for the people of Deschire."

Kemp returned the favor, praising Kelley for "making history" as the nation's first African-Grassadellan governor.

"Let me just say that even though we disagree on the issues, Governor Kelley, you have my utmost respect," Kemp said. "You have broken down so many barriers not only for women in Grassadella who are interested in public service, but also for citizens of minority ethnicity, and I am proud of that."

The audience responded positively as well, applauding Kemp's comments in affirmation.

Further into the debate, the smiling faces and friendly veneer did wear off some. Kemp attacked Kelley for her "failed policies," while Kelley insisted that under her leadership, Deschire "is moving forward with a plan and vision for the future."

The debate did end on a positive note, however, with both candidates shaking hands and half-embracing one another.

Yesterday's debate between the two candidates was the first of five before the December 4th election day.

NAT Will Not Pull Tieli From NWP Ballot, Sources Confirm

Despite poor poll numbers, Tieli will stay on the ballot

GRANTHAM, NWP--Nationalist party officials in New Portsmouth will not replace House candidate Berta Tieli with another more viable candidate, party sources told GNN News Monday.

Rumors began surfacing last Friday, when anonymous party sources told local media that party insiders were considering replacing Tieli with another candidate who could give incumbent Senator John Isaak Slooter (TA) a tougher run for re-election.

Tieli, a 60-year-old state legislator from Haines County, was drafted in June to challenge incumbent Senator John Isaak Slooter, a traditionalist who ran unopposed earlier this year in a special election. But Tieli has been trailing Slooter in the polls for months. In the latest average of polls released last Friday by the Grantham Institute, a non-partisan research center, Slooter led Tieli 44% to 36%, with 20% of voters undecided.

A new poll released yesterday showed Tieli making the race more competetive; trailing Slooter 39% to 43%, with 18% undecided.

Still, despite gaining slightly in recent days, many within the NAT party believe Tieli should be trouncing Slooter, the nation's first Traditionalist candidate elected to the House, by double digits.

"Isaak Slooter is a conservative Christian," says Haines County NAT chairman Randy Weaver. "New Portsmouth is not a religious state. A strong majority of our state's residents reject the divisive nature of religion. So a liberal like Berta Tieli should be killing him in the polls."

Still, despite her disappointing poll showings, Berta Tieli will stay on the ballot.

"Berta Tieli was nominated by the New Portsmouth Nationalist Party to run against Isaak Slooter. She had our party's support then, and she has our party's support now," state party Vice Chairwoman Mary Vandehoogen told the press Monday.

Sources from within the party, who asked to remain anonymous because of party loyalty, told a local newspaper top party officials were considering replacing Tieli with a more viable candidate, such as Congresswoman Jean Larae Dowd from the state's 1st congressional district.

"That's not going to happen," says state party Chairman Bob Springer. "Berta Tieli is our candidate and we back her one hundred per cent."

The Slooter campaign jumped on the party's division, asking, "If Berta Tieli can't even get her own party to support her, how can she expect to get the voters to do so?"

Tieli's campaign would not comment on the recent events but ensured the campaign will move forward.

"This campaign is going strong. And we plan on working hard and moving forward through election day," spokesman Chris Mortis said.

Poll Shows Bosseau With Lead

CNS Candidate Holds Slight Edge In NWP Governor's Race, Poll Says

DAYLE-LOCKE, NWP--Conservative gubernatorial candidate Jacqueline Bosseau has taken the lead in a poll for the first time since she began a re-match with incumbent governor Dale Rochey (NAT). The two faced each other last December in what was the state's closest election in history. When Rochey won 50.98% to Bosseau's 49.02%, the conservative activist and gun-rights enthusiast immediately announced she would continue her campaign and have a re-match with Rochey this November.

And the race this time around is just as close. Polls over the last few months have shown Rochey with an insignificant one or two point lead. However, a new poll released today by the Grantham Institute, a non-partisan organization that studies New Portsmouth politics, shows Bosseau leading Rochey 51.64% to 48.36%.

When all polls from the last four months are averaged, the two candidates are still tied at 47% each, with 6% undecided.

Still, the Bosseau campaign heralded the new poll numbers as proof Ms. Bosseau is making in-roads with the voters, particularly in areas where she struggled in the 2007 election.

"This poll shows that no only is Jacqueline's message of change resonating in strongly conservative places like Bridgeman County, it is also starting to win over people in areas that previously voted for Dale Rochey; places like Gadley County and Collier County," Brian Smith, a campaign spokesman told the Grantham Telegraph newspaper.

Rochey's campaign down-played the poll, pointing out the two candidates are still virtually tied when recent polls are averaged.

"I don't know why Jacqueline Bosseau's campaign is celebrating one silly little poll," campaign spokeswoman Brandy Sherksman told WDYL-TV. "Governor Rochey has been leading in the polls for months now, and an occasional bump in the polls is no cause for a pat-on-the-back by the Bosseau campaign."

Whatever one concludes from the poll numbers, it's clear Governor Dale Rochey and Lt. Governor Jane Hanman face a tough challenge for re-election from Bosseau and her running mate Evan Kershing.

Like the December 2007 election, the race seems to be centering on issues such as gun-rights, taxes, transportation, education funding, and the environment. Bosseau and Kershing support gun-rights and lower taxes while Rochey and Hanman oppose gun-ownership and want to rescind tax-cuts for the wealthy.

On transportation, the candidates' positions are less clear. Bosseau has attacked Rochey for his inaction on the matter, particularly the NR-1 corridor that runs north and south through the state's heavily-populated east side. Rochey and the NAT-controlled legislature approved $15.8 million in consultants and studies for the corridor, and the governor says a compromise with the legislature must be reached before any plan can be executed.

Education is also taking center stage in the race. Since taking office in January 2008, Rochey signed into law $16 million in additional education spending. Most of the funding comes from property and estate taxes, although a sizeable portion also comes from state lottery revenue. Bosseau has criticized Rochey for increasing taxes, saying New Portsmouth families "can't afford Dale Rochey's budget." Rochey counters Bosseau would cut education spending in the interest of lower taxes, and is unfairly abandoning New Portsmouth's children.

"It's a sad day when hunting on Mt. Sabacca is more important to you than the education of New Portsmouth's future generations," Rochey told an audience in Collier, referring to Bosseau's proposal to allow conditional hunting on the west side of Mt. Sabacca National Park.

Environmental issues have played a less-prominent role in the campaign. However, the issue drew more attention last week when Rochey said he would allocate $70 million dollars for green technology over the next seven years. Bosseau supports additional funding for environmental projects, but says a $70 million price tag is too much. She also says there are more pressing needs, such as brown-field clean-ups in the north eastern part of the state, and a habitat revitalization project in Collier County.

As the final weeks of the campaign near, the race is attracting big money from both parties. Rochey has raised $8.1 million while Bosseau has raised $7.4 million. The Conservative Governor's Association (CGA) is promising an additional $1.4 million for Bosseau's campaign before the December 4th election. The Nationalist Governor's Association (NGA) is also pledging more donations for Rochey, but has not said exactly how much they will give.

Kemp Takes Narrow Lead In DES Governor's Race

Lt. Governor Leading By One Point


BERIVIAN, DES--It appears the close race between incumbent Governor Sharon Kelley (CNS) and incumbent Lt. Governor Jake Kemp (NAT) is tightening.

Today's average of three recent polls shows Kemp with 45% to Kelley's 44%. The other 11% remain undecided or are supporting other candidates. Kemp's one point lead is statistically insignificant, since the margin of error is 3 points.

The race seems to be focusing on three main issues: government accountability, education, and transportation. Kemp and his surrogates have attacked Kelley for her office's lack of disclosure. Kemp has also gone after Kelley for her "wishy-washy" positions on education and her slowly-moving transportation plan.

"The people demand a governor who is open and discloses all information, not just selective pieces here and there," Kemp said at a rally in North Berivian.

Kelley's campaign volleyed back, saying Kemp "lacks any real vision" for Deschire and is "attacking Governor Kelley because he has no ideas of his own."

This year's race will likely be a repeat of the special election held just months ago, in which Kelley narrowly defeated both Kemp and D-R candidate Grant Riley in a three-way race. Riley, a multi-millionaire entrepreneur, has decided to sit out this election, however.

In the money race, both candidates are close. Kelley leads with $6.1 million, while Kemp has $5.4 million in his campaign coffers.