Fisher To Take On Branlin

Conservative businessman and retired army colonel to oppose NAT incumbent senator

JAFFLING, WIK--Freshman Senator Terry Branlin (NAT) now officially has a Conservative opponent.

Retired army colonel and businessman Lee Fisher, age 68, announced he will challenge the first-term Branlin, who is seeking a second but first full six-year term.

Speaking at his campaign kick-off ceremony in the western Wilkonshire town of Jaffling, Fisher told supporters Ms. Branlin does not "represent the people of Wilkonshire the way they desire to be represented."

"This is someone who has been supportive of every bail-out plan and stimulus package and tax hike and wealth-sharing proposal," Fisher said of Branlin. "Senator Branlin even said that rich Grassadellans have a responsibility to 'share the wealth'. Wilkonshireans don't want to share the wealth. They don't want to bail-out every failing company. They don't want to spend billions of dollars for a stimulus package that will do nothing to stimulate the economy. And they certainly don't want to raise taxes to pay for it."

Branlin has made a name for herself as one of the most liberal members in the senate. In recent months, she has come under attack from conservative groups for her vocal support of President Menuhaeo's stimulus package and corporate bail-out plans. But the most controversial moment of her brief senate career so far was back in April, when the senator said on the senate floor that "the wealthiest of the wealthy...the highest on the socio-economic ladder...it's high time those people give back to our country," referring to the idea of taxing wealthy Grassadellans to benefit less fortunate citizens. That comment drew fire from conservative groups, who immediately attacked the senator, calling her a socialist and "anti-Grassadellan."

But despite her liberal tendencies, Ms. Branlin is considered relatively safe for re-election. She faced a tough battle in 2007 when, by a margin of 51%-49%, she narrowly defeated former POG Sen. Marie Antonnage, who left POG and moved to Wilkonshire to run against the new senator. Antonnage was thought to be considering a possible rematch in 2010, but ended speculation last month when she announced she would not run again.

Fisher, who faces an uphill battle against Branlin, is optimistic despite his under-dog status.

"She's got the upper hand in this race," Fisher conceded. "But we've got the motivation and the determination. And when you get a group of people who are highly motivated, and you mobilize that movement, you can make something unstoppable."

So far, Fisher is the only declared Conservative candidate in the race. Congressman Dennis Brock, who represents north-central Wilkonshire in the National Assembly, will make a decision by September 14th, his office said.

Agnew Kicks Off Senate Campaign

Former WIK governor to challenge incumbent Sylvea Stone

CHRISTON, WIK--Former Wilkonshire Governor John R. Agnew (CNS) formally announced Monday he is running for the senate.

Agnew, who retired in 2008 to run for the senate against Nationalist John Warner-Patterson, will now seek to unseat NAT Sen. Sylvea Stone, who is considered one of the most vulnerable senators up for re-election in the 2010 election cycle.

Agnew was unsuccessful in 2008, falling to Warner-Patterson by a margin of 54%-46%, respectively. There could be a different result this time around, however, as Stone finds her popularity falling drastically amidst her vocal support for corporate bail-outs, an unpopular stimulus package, and her sponsorship of several strange bills, including one that would have provided $8 million for research into cow flatulence and its effect on the ozone layer. That particular bill failed in the senate miserably, with only 13 members voting in favor and 57 against.

Internal polling by the Agnew campaign shows the former governor leading the freshman senator, though Agnew's campaign will not release the exact numbers. However, even officials from the Wilkonshire NAT party are privately conceeding Stone is vulnerable.

"There's no doubt she is in political quick sand, and we're pretty sure John Agnew's gonna come out the winner," one NAT official told GNN News, asking for confidentiality so as not to violate party rules which prohibit talking to the media.

Still, the 63-year-old Agnew has a lot of work ahead of him, as Wilkonshire continues to trend blue and has favored the NAT in recent elections.

Stone's office did not return a call asking for a comment. GNN was instead referred to the senator's Mavocke office, where again, no comment was given.

Lawsuit Against Diego Dismissed

Lt. gov. did not violate church and state separation laws, judge rules

MATTINOW, DMG--A lawsuit against Damoign Lt. Gov. Mercer Diego (CNS) alleging he violated church and state separation laws has been dismissed by a state judge.

The lawsuit, filed by the athiest group "God Free DMG," claimed that Diego violated church and state separation laws when he counseled and prayed with the family of former Damoign governor Whit Meiyer, who passed away back in May. According to the lawsuit, Diego traveled to the Meiyer family home in Mattinow on three separate occasions following the governor's death, and prayed with them on at least two of those occasions.

There's nothing illegal about an elected official visiting a grieving family, but the lawsuit alleges the lieutenant governor, who is also a former mega-church pastor, drove a state-issued vehicle to the Meiyer home on all three occasions he visited the family. The lawsuit also says Diego met with Meiyer's widow and children during hours he normally spends at the state capitol, meaning he left work early on those three occasions to meet with the Meiyer family, and cancelled pre-scheduled appointments.

But state judge Austin D. Riciello ruled Monday that even though Diego drove a vehicle that was issued and paid for by the state, that vehicle is considered a personal vehicle and is provided for the lieutenant governor by the state's constitution, which says the governor and lieutenant governor "shall be issued a reliable vehicle, within reasonable cost and means, for both personal and professional-related travel."

Judge Riciello also ruled that although Diego may have left work early and cancelled pre-arranged appointments, he did not violate the law by doing so. The judge also threw out a complaint by the athiest group that the lieutenant governor had organized a "prayer meeting" at the Meiyer home.

Members of the Meiyer family did not testify during the court hearings, but did tell investigators that Mr. Diego was "invited" to their home and they "welcomed" his counsel and prayer.

Diego maintained throughout the trial that the lawsuit was "frivolous" and was only filed because of the lieutenant governor's former occupation as a minister.

"It's clear this was a politically and religiously motivated lawsuit that was meant to do nothing but paint Mercer Diego as a non-mainstream religious fundamental," Diego's lawyer, John Zugenheim, told the NPF.

A spokesperson for GodFree DMG did not comment on the case, and would not reveal if the group plans an appeal.

Almone Would Crush Vivarte, Poll Shows

If election were held today, popular incumbent would have easy road to re-election, according to poll

LILLAC CITY, POG--Popular Conservative Governor Donna Almone would easily defeat Nationalist gubernatorial candidate June Vivarte, according to a new poll released by Southern Concepts, a POG-based polling firm.

The poll, which was conducted between August 7-9, shows Almone taking 48% to Vivarte's 23%, with the remaining 29% undecided. The poll also found Almone's favorability ratings high, with 58% of POG voters approving of her job as governor. Only 32% disapproved of her handling of the governor's job.

A different poll, paid for by the state NAT party, found Almone leading Vivarte by only 6 points, 39% to 36%, respectively. That same poll found the governor's approval rating at 52% and disapproval rating at 38%.

According to both polls, voters' main complaint about Almone is her frequent absence from the state capitol. The governor says she is absent from the capitol often because she is Chairwoman of the Governor's Board, a job that requires her to travel out of state frequently. Nationalists say the governor's frequent absences prove her priorities are mixed up, and she is out of touch with the state's affairs.

The governor's position as Chairwoman of the Governor's Board is likely to be a major issue in the 2010 gubernatorial campaign, as Nationalists contend Almone is putting her role as Chairwoman before her job as governor of POG.

NAT candidate June Vivarte has already released a web video attacking Almone's spotty availability at the governor's office. Her campaign is also planning a rally at the state capitol, to be held sometime next week.

Densy: Kinsley Acting 'Melodramatic' In Monomi Governor's Scandal

Congressman say lieutenant governor putting 'politics before the people'

TREETON, MON--Calling the scandal surrounding Governor Scott King a "soap opera," Rep. John Densy (C-Treeton) reiterated his calls for the embattled governor to step down, and also scolded the state's lieutenant governor, Erica Kinsley (NAT), for using the governor's scandal for her own political advantage.

"The governor needs to step down," Densy told host Dan Leitner, of the GBC's Sunday morning program Up Front Live. "But at the same time, Erica Kinsley is prancing around the state telling people to recall the governor, speaking at anti-Scott King rallies, and basically attacking him. It's all quite a melodramatic situation that's unfolding, and she's doing it purely for political purposes and it's wrong."

Densy said that while King may have not broken the law, he has "undoubtedly lost the trust of the people," and should step down as governor. However, Densy saved his harshest criticism for Lt. Gov. Kinsley, whom he said is "putting politics before the people" by engaging in a war of words with King.

"I don't have a problem with [Kinsley] calling for the governor's resignation," Densy told Leitner. "But attacking him and exploiting the situation for her own political gain is not right, and she should stop doing it."

Mr. Densy also praised the Conservative Party's response to the scandal, saying the party has acted in a "concerned but non-vindictive manner." However, the Congressman lambasted the Nationalist Party's response, saying party leaders have been slow to react.

"You don't see Sen. [Hanna] Gorbachy out there calling for Governor King to step down. You don't see Senator [Nathan] Lister calling for him to step down. The only Nationalist that has is my colleague, Congresswoman [Mary Kay] Allen, who came out right away and called for the governor's resignation. And I applaud her for that. It takes a lot of courage to stand up to your own party like she did," Densy said.

Mr. Densy's criticism of the NAT and Lt. Gov. Kinsley comes at a time when politics are starting to heat up in Monomi. Though she has not officially declared her candidacy, it is widely believed Lt. Gov. Kinsley will run for governor in 2010, when current-Governor King leaves office due to term limits.

For the past two months, Mr. King and Ms. Kinsley have had a tense relationship, after Kinsley called for the governor to resign following allegations he committed an array of crimes, ranging from misuse of office to prostitution.

Many are skeptical of Kinsley's calls for King's resignation, however. Opponents point out she would assume the governorship should King step down, and if she does mount a bid for the governor's mansion, King's scandal could plague her campaign and benefit the CNS candidate. Kinsley denies her requests for King's resignation have anything to do with her political ambitions.

"I'm calling for Governor King to resign because he can no longer govern this state effectively," Kinsley told the Treeton Sun.

Some are also questioning Rep. Densy's motives, as he appears to be a likely candidate for governor as well. Recent polls show him leading the CNS field of candidates, though Densy said he is only "considering" a bid for governor at this point.

Reedsworth Urged To Challenge Kemp

Trinton Conservatives urge Congressman to run for senate

WILMINGTON, TRI--Conservative Congressman George Reedsworth is being urged by fellow Conservatives to challenge incumbent NAT Sen. Grace Kemp, who is running for a third term.

Reedsworth, who represents central Trinton in the National Assembly, is reportedly being encouraged to run for the senate by top CNS officials, including Sen. Kelsey Frascanio, who narrowly defeated Reedsworth last year during a contentious primary election for the senate seat left open by retiring CNS Sen. Richard C. Parker.

According to party sources, who could only speak on condition of anonymity, Frascanio, who is far more conservative than the more moderate Reedsworth, is "actively working to convince" Mr. Reedsworth to run against Kemp, who is a popular but often divisive liberal icon. Kemp would be a difficult incumbent to defeat, but many state CNS leaders feel Reedsworth is the only CNS candidate capable of making a serious challenge for the seat.

According to the sources, some state party officials are so supportive of a Reedsworth candidacy, they are willing to clear the CNS field for him, to avoid a messy primary. But some within the party's leadership are still skeptical, fearing Reedsworth may not be a strong enough candidate to oust Kemp, who coasted to victory back in 2004.

Mr. Reedsworth's office declined to comment on the reports, as did the office of Senator Frascanio. Mr. Kemp's office also did not return a call from GNN.