Monomi State Senate Confirms Avery For Lieutenant Governor

New lieutenant governor youngest in state history


TREETON--The Monomi State Senate voted Wednesday to confirm State Rep. Neil Avery (N-Emory Gardens) as the state's next lieutenant governor.

By a vote of 48-41, the Senate voted to confirm Avery, who was nominated by Governor Erica Kinsley (NAT), who recently assumed the governorship after her predecessor, Scott King Jr., was recalled by the voters in May.

Avery, who was only in his second term in the State House of Representatives, was heralded by some as fresh blood. But others pointed to his inexperience as reason to deny his confirmation.

"We've got the most inexperienced governor in state history running the show, and now she wants us to confirm the most inexperienced lieutenant governor? This is ridiculous," State Sen. Joe Fineman (C-Watker) said on the Senate floor.

But Nationalists contended opposition to Avery's nomination was simply Conservatives playing obstructinist politics, hoping to weaken the already struggling Governor Kinsley.

"It's sad and despicable that my Conservative colleagues are opposing Neil Avery's nomination simply because they're playing politics, trying to obstruct and strike down any appointment or legislation from Governor Kinsley," State Senator Shannon McGrath (N-Edwall) said. "That is just wrong and stupid."

The Governor praised the Senate's confirmation, however, and thanked legislators for putting "people before politics."

"Today, as we saw, some members of the State Senate chose to put politics first. But, fortunately, 48 brave members voted to put people before politics, and I applaud them for doing so," Kinsley said in a press conference outside the Capitol.

Kinsley and Avery are now shifting into campaign mode, as they are seeking to be elected during the December general election. Conservatives have been gearing up for the race for months, with Rep. John Densy of Treeton being the lead contender for governor.

Despite a national revolt against the Conservative Party, the corruption scandal that rocked Governor King and the NAT party infighting, combined with King's recall, are likely to favor the CNS in the December general election.

Kinsley has said she will run for election, but has not formally kicked off her campaign.