Sherber Sworn In As New BIE Senator

Conservatives and Nationalists now evenly split in Senate with 43 seats each

MAVOCKE, CEA--The balance of power in the Senate has been finalized, after Conservative candidate Driscoll Sherber was officially sworn in today as the new senator from Biereland.

Mr. Sherber was sworn in by Vice President Don James at 11:13 a.m. on the Senate floor. He was accompanied by his wife Emily.

Sherber defeated Democratic-Reformist Julie Grendhau 52.65%-47.35% in Friday's run-off election, which was called after a three-way race in December between Sherber, Grendhau, and incumbent David Parker (NAT) gave no candidate the necessary 45% to be certified the winner.

Though not affiliated with the Nationalist Party, Grendhau received backing from top Nationalists and party officials. Sherber received widespread support from the CNS Party, particularly the conservative wing of the party. A strong last-minute spending-spree by the CNS, as well as a parade of popular party figures into the campaign, helped put Sherber edge out the liberal but well-known environmentalist and activist Grendhau.

Driscoll's victory makes the Senate evenly split between Conservatives and Nationalists, with both parties holding 43 seats. The remaining four seats are held by three Democratic-Reformists and one Traditionalist.

Though the parties are numerically tied, the Nationalist Party officially holds the majority, as Vice President James is also a Nationalist. The Grassadellan Constitution states that when two or more parties hold an equal amount of seats, whichever party the vice president belongs to will win the majority. If the vice president is not a member of any of the tied parties, he or she may choose which party they wish to hold the majority.

The balance of power could change, however, if New Portsmouth Senator Isaak Slooter (TA) chooses to join the Conservative Party and leave the Traditionalist Party. The addition of Slooter would give the CNS a 44-43 advantage, a mere one-seat edge. Rumors about Slooter's potential party-swap have been circulating for months now, but the senator's office has declined to comment.

For his part, Senator Sherber said he doesn't care about holding the majority as much as fixing the economy.

"I'm here to do the work of the people, and the first item on the agenda is getting our economy back up to strength," Sherber said. "I'm honored the people of Biereland have given me this opportunity to serve them and our country."