NATGA, CGA Dole Out Money To Gubernatorial Candidates

Governors associations raise cash for gubernatorial prospects


DEROSA, EAST DESCHIRE--December may seem far away, but with the clock ticking until election day, political parties are ramping up their fundraising for important races.

And few have worked as tirelessly as East Deschire Governor Lynn DeMont (NAT), who is heading up the Nationalist Governors Association's (NATGA) campaign effort.

"We've got several candidates in several states that are really going to strike a chord with voters this election year," DeMont told STAR News.

And there are many strong Nationalist candidates this year. Half of all state governors' seats are up for election this year, and among those nine contests, the NAT is strongly favored to win three, and likely to win two more. The election of 2010 could be an opportunity for the NAT to re-gain a majority on the Governors' Board, which would overturn Conservative control for the past nine years.

That's why NATGA and similar organizations are doling out the campaign cash to gubernatorial hopefuls.

"There is just too much at stake here," DeMont said. "This is a battle, when you really break it down that's what it comes down to. And you have to be well-prepared for battle, strategically and monetarily."

So who are the fortunate recipients of NATGA's campaign cash? The list includes first-time candidates, such as San Bartholomew in Biereland, who is challenging first-term incumbent Jenny Duschowitz (CNS), and June Vivarte in POG, who is facing an uphill fight against popular Conservative incumbent and Chairwoman of the Governors' Board Donna Almone.

Bartholomew received almost $1 million from NATGA, while Vivarte recieved $465,000.

Other recipients include Karen DeSalle in Kalnier ($1.4 million) and Todd Pergich in Lial ($500,000).

Incumbent Wellington Governor Pierre Carten also will receive $1.6 million later this month, according to NATGA's financial records.

DeMont, who himself is up for re-election, is also taking in about $640,000, the records show.

Losing out in the money race are candidates who are unlikely to win, including Carova Governor Dan McCrae, who received a measly $140,000 from NATGA for his re-election bid, which has him pitted against Senator Sam Byelle, the former president's older brother.

Candidates in states that have not yet held their primaries, including Monomi and New Portsmouth, have also not received any money yet, although sources within NATGA say the organization is unlikely to invest much in the Monomi race, since Conservatives are likely to take over the governorship in the wake of former Governor Scott King's recall from office.

NATGA's Conservative counterpart, the Conservative Governors Association (CGA), says it has invested similarly in many races nationwide.

Almone, who concurrently holds both the chairmanship of the Governors' Board and heads up the fundraising for her party's campaign effort, told the NPF the organization will invest heavily in close races such as those in Biereland, Kalnier, and Wellington.

Records show Duschowitz, in Biereland, has received $1.4 million from the CGA, while Kalnier Governor Joe Gramma has received $680,000. Craig Thoyer, who is challenging Wellington Governor Pierre Carten, has received $456,000 to date, with more on the way, Almone said.

"These are races where we believe we can win and we will do everything we can to help our candidates there," Almone said.

The governor declined to discuss her own race against Ms. Vivarte, but added that Conservatives are hoping for pick-ups in Carova and Monomi.

Third quarter fundraising reports are not due until the end of August. Candidates must continue reporting fundraising to the Grassadellian Electoral Commission (GEC), though they do not have to make their reports public until the quarter terminates.