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.