Dawson Kicks Off Assembly Campaign

State party touts Nationalist's candidacy

BOWSWICH, TRINTON--Nationalist Katherine "Kaz" Dawson kicked off her campaign for Congress in Trinton's 7th Congressional District Thursday morning.

The popular businesswoman and civic leader from central Trinton is running unopposed for the NAT nomination in a district that has been held by the Conservatives for 12 years. Congressman George Reedsworth is running for re-election in 2010, however, the six-term congressman has been urged to challenge Senator Grace Kemp (NAT), who is seeking a third term in 2010. Dawson's entry into the Assembly race may provide further encouragement for Reedsworth to abandon his Assembly seat and run against Kemp for the Senate.

At her announcement ceremony, Dawson cited the loss of jobs and the ailing economy as her number one priority.

"We need to bring jobs back to Trinton," she said. "And that starts with ending tax breaks for big business and corporations that send our jobs overseas."

Local and state Nationalist Party leaders have been touting Dawson as a strong candidate against Reedsworth, who has faced criticism from his own party for his moderate voting record.

"George Reedsworth should be scared, because Kaz Dawson is his worst nightmare," said Paul Lumberg, state NAT Party chairman. "We believe that Kaz could present a formidable challenge to Mr. Reedsworth."

State CNS leaders disagree.

"George Reedsworth is a respected leader who has fought for Trintonians for the last 20 years," said Tom Schillings, CNS Party chairman. "Regardless of whether George runs for the Senate or stays in the Assembly, the people will support his candidacy and his policies."

A recent poll conducted by Shoreline, a private polling firm based out of Vristo Colonado, Trinton, shows Reedsworth barely leading Dawson 41% to 40%, with 19% undecided.

"Clearly, George Reedsworth could face a very contentious and a very difficult race for re-election to the National Assembly in 2010," said Dr. Rahm Bergahl, professor of political studies at the University of Trinton--Wilmington. "It might be a good time for him to retire from the National Assembly instead of facing a tough fight."

The Reedsworth campaign would not comment on Dawson's announcement. A spokeswoman would only tell GNN News that "Congressman Reedsworth is dedicated to the people of Trinton and will fight for his state in any way he can."

If Reedsworth does decide to run for the Senate, he will not be the only Conservative to join the race. State Senator Randy Kalamaza (C-Vristo Colonado) already announced his candidacy back in October. A Reedsworth-Kalamaza primary race would set off a political showdown within the Conservative party between the centrist Reedsworth and hardline Conservative Kalamaza.

A spokesman from the Kalamaza campaign had no comment for this article.