Candidates Line Up To Compete For E. Deschire Senate Seat

Candidates from both parties are jumping into the open race

DEROSA, EAST DESCHIRE--The Harvest State has been alive with a flurry of political activity after incumbent Conservative senator Seth Harkin announced two weeks ago he would not seek re-election in 2010.

The young, up-and-coming senator, who was elected in 2009, disclosed to reporters he is stepping down to care for his wife, Melissa, who has been diagnosed with leukemia.

Harkin's decision to not seek re-election has created yet another open seat for the CNS, which already has a tough election year ahead. Harkin's departure also creates an opportunity for the NAT to pick up what was once a safe Conservative seat.

Now, candidates from both parties are coming out of the woodwork to run for their parties' nominations. On the Conservative side, Congressman Sam Pyatt of Ridgeview was the first to declare his candidacy. State Senate Majority Leader Gerald Ivenroe, of Waverly, announced his candidacy last week. And Dillingham businessman Mike Aventhalle also joined the race last Thursday. Jim Reebis, a CPA and financial consultant from Clawfield, is exploring a run but has not made a decision yet, according to sources.

The NAT side became more crowded this week, with Secretary of State Allison Sweeten officially jumping into the race. Sweeten had been courted by NAT leaders for months, but eventually decided against a run for the Senate due to family concerns. She then changed her mind and filed for candidacy last week. She will face businessman John Blackman, of Hansboro, and former Senate candidate Marianne Licoule, who lost to Conservative Denna Halitz by a margin of 53-47%, respectively.

On Wednesday, former state senator George Capriatti (N-Hansboro) passed on a potential bid, telling reporters he is "not ready to jump back into politics just yet."

While Sweeten is the favored candidate on the NAT side, there is no clear front-runner for the Conservatives. And there's no guarantee Sweeten will have an easy ride to the nomination. Blackman, in particular, could present a formidable challenge to the party-favorite.

Harkin's announcement makes him the seventh Conservative who will not seek re-election in 2010. By contrast, the Nationalists only have one member, Brown Mourray of Deschire, who is not running in 2010.