Conservatives Want Gymbal To Decide On Re-Election

Lial governor's indecision is frustrating party leaders

CLOTHEN, LIA--It's still 2009, but already political leaders are planning for the 2010 mid-term elections. And officials from all political parties are busy trying to recruit candidates for important races next December.

But Conservative party officials in Lial are frustrated, because CNS Governor Gavin Gymbal has yet to announce if he will seek re-election when his first term is up in 2010. Gymbal previously hinted he would not seek re-election, but recently has suggested he may seek a second term after all. And those mixed signals are upsetting party officials, who need to know if Gymbal will seek re-election so they can find another candidate if he chooses to step down.

"Basically, the governor is telling us two different things," one party leader, who asked not to be identified because of party protocol, told GNN News. "He said earlier he didn't think he would run, and now he's saying he's prepared to lead our state in the future. And no one knows if he'll run again or if he's going to pass."

But Gymbal insists he's not being coy about his future plans--he says he hasn't revealed his plans because he still hasn't decided.

"I'm still in the process of deciding what is best for myself and my party, and also what's best for the people of Lial," Gymbal told GNN's Michael Micardi on Awakening A Nation.

Conservative party leaders are hoping the governor will seek re-election because, Gymbal aside, the CNS has few viable candidates. Sen. John BiGadi appears to be strongest candidate, though he has indicated he intends to run for re-election to the Senate. Rep. Katie Bronure, who in 2008 ran unsuccessfully for the Senate, is also considered a possible contender, though it's unlikely she would risk her safe Assembly seat for a risky run for governor. Lial's Secretary of State, Allan Dillion, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate, though he has relatively low name-recognition.

Former Senator Steven McIntosh was long thought of as a strong candidate; however, the moderate senator, who lost his re-election bid in 2006 to Stephanie Manning (NAT), eliminated any possibility of running for governor last month when he accepted President Menuhaeo's nomination for and was later confirmed as Secretary of Environmental Affairs.

Other possible candidates, should Gymbal not run, are Reps. Andrea Doorfield, Ryan Moore, Hans Phickinson, and Robert Shipton. The governor's younger brother, Rep. Luke Gymbal, may also seek the governor's mansion, should his older brother step aside. Paul Bronure Jr., the son of the late billionaire Paul Bronure Sr. and Wellington Senator Lauren Bronure, and the brother of Reps. Katie Bronure and Lindsey Bronure (C-WEL), has also been suggested as a possible candidate, though the young businessman has never sought public office.

The NAT is also gearing up for next December's election, and is hoping to take back the governor's mansion, which it held from 1990 until Gymbal's victory in 2006. The leading contender for the NAT nomination is former Lieutenant Governor Todd Pergich, who lost to Gymbal in 2006. Complicating matters, Pergich's old boss, former Governor Kylee Thompson had previously said she would run again, but dropped out of the race back in March, leaving the field virtually open for Pergich.

Governor Gymbal says he will make a final decision on his political future by July 1st, and plans to make public announce if he will seek another term.