Contentious Primaries Threaten To Crumble Conservative Edge In Monomi

CNS now faces tough primaries in Senate races

TREETON, MONOMI--The once massive tidal wave of anti-Nationalist sentiment strongly favored the Conservative Party in Monomi--a state that is known as a battle ground between the two major parties--and the CNS appeared guaranteed strong victories in the Original State this December.

But now, victory is far from guaranteed. Incumbent Senator Anna Corbev, who enjoyed relatively high popularity ratings until recent months, is now facing a formidable primary challenge from the more conservative Rep. Pete Doonan, who formerly ran for the federal Senate in 2008, losing to Nationalist Nathan Lister.

And the state's open Senate seat, being vacated by retiring Sen. Debra York (CNS), is also now a tense battle for the Conservatives. Nationalist candidate Rep. Debbie Azano of Treeton is running unopposed, while Rep. Rylee "Rill" Stevens (C-Heydworth) and Rep. Cathy De Beers (C-Monomi City) are running in a contested Conservative primary.

Stevens, who is one of two openly gay members of Congress and is the first and to date only openly gay Conservative elected to federal office, has a moderate voting record, and previously ran for the Senate against incumbent Hanna Gorbachy (NAT) in 2008. De Beers is the decidedly more conservative candidate, and is beloved by the conservative base of the party.

Azano is undoubtedly favored in that race, which is pitting the competing moderate and deeply conservative sides of the CNS against each other.

Prior to the contentious Senate primaries, Monomi was considered a bright spot for the CNS, as anti-Nationalist sentiment heightened following the scandal and subsequent recall of former Gov. Scott King Jr.

Polls consistently show a sizeable advantage for Conservative gubernatorial candidate Rep. John Densy over incumbent Erica Kinsley (NAT), who took over following King's departure.

Kinsley herself is facing a primary from wealthy businessman Dave Jandon (pronounced "YAN-den") of Kie Outs. The latest average of polls shows Densy leading both Kinsley and Jandon, with the latter faring slightly better against the Conservative congressman than the incumbent.

Conservatives may still have the edge in the state's governor's race, but the Corbev-Doonan race as well as the Stevens-De Beers match up threaten the party's strength in the Senate contests.

Corbev was already facing a stiff challenge from Nationalist businessman Brad Fiordora.

Polling shows both Corbev and Doonan earning about the same amount of support when matched against the political newcomer Fiordora.