Fulbright, Kemmes Pledge Bipartisanship

ARA governor and lieutenant pledge bipartisanship

NEW SALEM, ARA--Governor-elect Dale Fulbright (CNS) and Lieutenant Governor-elect Leandra Kemmes (NAT) held a joint press conference today, where the two leaders pledged to work together in a bipartisan fashion.

"Lieutenant Governor Kemmes and I are from opposing political parties, but we both share one goal, and that is to lead the state of Armana in the right direction, and to stand up for the people of our state," Fulbright said.

Kemmes also vowed to display teamwork.

"I will work with Governor Fulbright to bring about the necessary change we need in this state," she said. "Despite our political differences, Governor Fulbright and I will work together to make our state a better place."

The two leaders were then sworn in by Armana Supreme Court Chief Justice William Renstad. The Governor-elect then presided over the swearing in of the state legislative members.

The election of Fulbright, 54, and Kemmes, 37, is historic for the state of Armana. Fulbright is the first Mormon to hold the governor's seat, and Kemmes is the first woman and youngest person to be elected lieutenant governor.

Before being elected governor, Fulbright served two terms in the federal House of Delegates. In 2007, Mr. Fulbright announced he would not seek re-election to the House but instead would launch a run for governor. He faced no opposition in the primary election, and went on to challenge former Lieutenant Governor Ray Cognelli (NAT) in the general election, whom Fulbright beat 53.63% to 46.37%, respectively.

Kemmes is a former businesswoman who was first elected to the Armana House of Delegates in 2004. The nationalist from Maine City's northwest faced token opposition in the primary election, and went on to handily defeat Conservative Joel Gruzinski 57.85% to 42.15%, respectively.

Despite their ideological differences, Fulbright and Kemmes have similar priorities. Both want to focus on Armana's struggling economy, as well as transportation, education, and the environment.