Rosen To Take On Magiscanti In Harvannah

Former navy lieutenant to challenge freshman CNS senator


HARLYNE, HARVANNAH--Freshman Senator Andre "Bourret" Magiscanti (CNS) has his first general election opponent.

Former navy lieutenant Glenn Rosen, who previously ran for governor in 2008, announced his candidacy for the seat currently held by the vulnerable Magiscanti, who is running for his first full term.

Rosen is the first NAT candidate to declare candidacy for the seat. Christian activist Jill Webster (C-Ebram's Point) announced back in November she would challenge Magiscanti, who has a moderate voting record, for the Conservative Party nomination.

At a morning press conference at the Gifford Gardens in east Harlyne, Rosen said he is running because "the people of Harvannah and the people of this country demand change."

"After eight years of Conservative dominance, the country is thirsting for change. Bourret Magiscanti is part of the problem, not the solution, and it's time for him to go," Rosen said.

Rosen likely will have a clear path to the NAT nomination, as Gov. Mark Andres and Lt. Gov. Mia Xhi have both declined to seek the Senate seat. Congresswoman Dawn Mattosh has also turned down an invitation to run. Ashford's Landing Mayor Peter Levenko has not ruled out a run for Magiscanti's seat, but told a local newspaper he is "leaning toward not running."

It didn't take long for the Magiscanti campaign to jump on Rosen's announcement.

"Glenn Rosen is another typical Nationalist--a massive-spending, big government, liberty-seizing liberal," spokesman Jared Polana told the Harlyne Sun newspaper. "The people of Harvannah want someone who will stand up to government waste and fight for their rights."

Polana did not mention Magiscanti's support and vote for the $315 billion economic stimulus package, which was derided by the senator's fellow Conservatives as wasteful and unnecessary.

Polls suggest Magiscanti could be in for the political fight of his life, as a national anti-Conservative tide is sweeping the nation, and his lackluster approval rating (46%) make him an easy target for Nationalists.