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.