Gilcrest, Blankenship Could Face Primary Challenges

Conservative senators may face tough primary elections in 2010

LAKE CITY, VER--Two Veroche senators are finding themselves increasingly vulnerable going into 2010. Not only could freshmen senators Niles Gilcrest and Evelynn Blankenship face tough general election match-ups, they may face tough primary campaigns, as several fellow Conservatives weigh running against them for the party's nomination.

Gilcrest, who served in the National Assembly before winning a senate seat in 2007, has long faced criticism from his own party because of his moderate voting record and his frequent deviance from the party's agenda. Specifically, Conservatives were angered by his call for troop withdrawals in Afghanistan, and his sponsorship of a bill that would have bailed out failing corporations. That bill, which he co-authored with Sen. Sylvea Stone (N-WIK), failed narrowly by a vote of 39-41.

While some members of the CNS party oppose Gilcrest because of his moderate positions, many oppose Senator Blankenship because of her exceptionally conservative views. Blankenship has come under fire from moderate Conservatives, who see her as too far-right and too extreme, particularly on social issues. While in the Senate, Blankenship has been an ardent pro-life advocate and a passionate same-sex marriage opponent. She has also fought stem-cell research.

Now, with both Gilcrest and Blankenship up for re-election in 2010, fellow Conservatives are considering challenging the incumbents. As of now, neither senator officially has a primary challenger, and no potential challengers have said if they'll run. But the list of potential primary opponents is deep. Possible challengers to Gilcrest include:

-Ethan Carr, 13th district representative
-Gary Kessler, 4th district representative
-Margaret Spellanous, 5th district representative
-John Bosworth, 12th district representative
-Linda Bosworth, 17th district representative, and married to John Bosworth
-Lonna "Talley" O'Neil, 9th district representative, and wife of Rep. Rich O'Neil
-Rachel Newbell-Lhands, former senate candidate
-Don Christaman, former senate candidate

The list of potential challengers to Blankenship is much shorter. The only real contender being mentioned is former senate candidate Dr. Richard Scholinger, of Lake City, who lost in 2008 to incumbent Mark Peoninski (NAT) by a vote of 56%-43%, respectively. Scholinger also previously ran for governor in 2007, but narrowly lost in a bitter primary. A moderate, Scholinger supports fiscal conservativism, but is moderate on social issues, supporting abortion rights and stem cell research.

Several Conservatives with state-wide name recognition could potentially challenge either senator in a primary election. They include Lt. Gov. Brad Davidson, and former gubernatorial candidates Steve Leona, Todd Argouth, and Steve Serpino. Leona and Serpino have expressed interest in running for the senate, while Argouth has not commented on his political ambitions. Davidson, who narrowly won re-election in 2008 as lieutenant governor, is believed to have his eye on the governor's mansion in 2012.

Both senators declined to talk about specific primary opponents. But Sen. Gilcrest's office released a written statement, saying the senator plans to "continue representing the people of the great state of Veroche in the Senate." The statement also high-lighted Gilcrest's controversial voting record, saying the senator has a "record of bipartisanship and independence that most Verocheans share."

A spokeswoman for Senator Blankenship would only say the senator is "confident" going in to the 2010 election.