Duschowitz Gives Stern Warning About Difficult Election

Biereland governor warns of 'massive revolt' against Conservative Party in 2010 election

BROOMFIELD, BIERELAND--The 2010 mid-term elections may see a "massive revolt" against the Conservative Party, Biereland Governor Jenny Duschowitz, a Conservative, said Saturday.

Duschowitz was speaking at the Leeland County Conservative Party Conference in the town of Broomfield in southern Biereland when she made the comments. In her speech, she warned Conservatives have a difficult election ahead.

"We have a tough year ahead of us, there's no doubt about that," Duschowitz said. "And if we don't start to turn around this economy, and if we don't start to win back the voters' trust, we will see our numbers fall and the other party take control of one or even both houses of Congress."

Duschowitz was referring to federal politics, but the governor, who is in her first term, is facing a difficult fight for re-election of her own. Once having a healthy approval rating of 67%, Duschowitz's approval numbers have now slipped dramatically to just 42% in the latest poll, conducted by the Greene Mountain Press newspaper in Brookings.

Furthermore, the governor is likely to face former Otterbein County commissioner San Bartholomew (NAT), who has the backing of Biereland's top environmental organizations and has already raised almost $870,000 since he formally entered the race last month. Duschowitz has been doing fundraising of her own, amassing $1.4 million in addition to the $270,000 she already had at the start of her campaign. However, the governor does acknowledge her bid for re-election will be tough, in what is likely to be a successful election for the NAT, particularly in Biereland, where scandal-ridden Senator Driscoll Sherber (CNS) is also running for re-election.

"I know our party faces extraordinary challenges this go around, but we will be strong and we will continue to stand up for freedom and responsibility and accountability in government," Duschowitz said.

One bright spot for the CNS in Biereland is the seat currently held by Michael Kreighorn (NAT), who is also seeing sagging poll numbers. However, NAT leaders are hoping to oust Kreighorn by electing the much more liberal former Brookings mayor Steve Pottomeaux in the primary election. Unlike Kreighorn, who is serving his first term, Pottomeaux has widespread name recognition and is popular statewide. Meanwhile, the Conservatives have few viable candidates interested in challenging either Kreighorn or Pottomeaux. Former senator Bob Kozzy, who lost his re-election bid to Steve Kolotano (NAT) in 2008, has announced his candidacy for the seat. Timber tycoon Robert Browning has also announced his candidacy, making for a competitive CNS primary.

Nation-wide, Conservatives face a tough election year. Dozens of members of the National Assembly have announced retirement, while six of the seven members retiring in the Senate are Conservatives. Additionally, of the 32 seats up for election in the Senate, 19 are held by Conservatives.