Bennelly, McGint Call On Hoffa To Appoint Nationalist To Senate Vacancy

DMG congressmen say its 'only fair' to fill Altamont's seat with another nationalist

SALBERRY, DMG--Rep. Allison McGint (N-Salberry) and Rep. Peter Bennelly (N-East Grassadella City) are calling on incoming Gov. Sid Hoffa (CNS) to appoint a nationalist to fill the Senate vacancy that will be left by Sen. Brian Altamont (NAT), who is expected to be nominated for Secretary of the Treasury next week by President-elect Brenton Menuhaeo.

Holding a joint press conference in Grassadella City, Mr. Bennelly and Mrs. McGint told members of the press that Hoffa should "do the right thing" and appoint another nationalist to hold Altamont's seat.

"The voters spoke and said they wanted a nationalist to represent them in the Senate when they voted for Brian Altamont. Now that Senator Altamont is leaving, it is only fair for the governor to appoint another nationalist to hold that seat," Bennelly said. "Indeed, it is probably very tempting for Mr. Hoffa to appoint a fellow conservative in an effort to expand his party's majority in the upper house, but that would not be fair to the people of Damoign, and we urge the governor to consider their wishes when making his decision."

The only problem with Mr. Bennelly's comments is they're simply not true. Brian Altamont was elected in 2004 as a Conservative. Only recently--less than two weeks ago--did he switch over to the Nationalist party.

"The idea that a nationalist should fill the seat because Brian Altamont is a nationalist is preposterous," said Bernie McIntyre, chairman of the Bus-Kelley County Conservative party. "Brian Altamont was a Conservative until twelve days ago. If anything, the people of Damoign want someone from the Conservative party to represent them in this state where nationalists hold almost every state-wide position."

On Friday, the Damoign State Legislature attempted to pass a constitutional amendment that would have forced the incoming governor to fill the vacancy by appointing someone of the same party as the previous office-holder. The current law allows the sitting governor to appoint anyone from any party to fill a vacancy.

While the proposed amendment did pass, it failed to garner the two-thirds vote needed for ratification.

The measure was a last-minute effort by nationalists to prevent Governor-elect Sid Hoffa from appointing a Conservative to the position, which would expand the Conservative party's majority and lessen the likelihood of the NAT gaining a majority.

Even though their effort failed in the state legislature, Reps. McGint and Bennelly believe Mr. Hoffa should appoint a nationalist to the seat out of fairness and civility.

"It's the right thing to do, it's the polite thing to do," said McGint. "Mr. Hoffa needs to look at this from the perspective of the people of Damoign. They clearly want a nationalist to represent them, and their wishes shouldn't be overturned by a governor who wants to help out his party."

Technically, Hoffa could appoint a nationalist if he wishes to do so, however that is highly unlikely, especially considering how evenly-matched the two parties are in the House of Delegates.