Senator Corbev Fights For Political Life In Monomi Primary Race

Contentious primary battle pits moderates against hard-liners


HEYDWORTH, MONOMI--In just eight days, Monomi Conservatives will go to the polls to nominate their candidate for the Federal Senate. Next Tuesday will bring the end to a bitter primary race between incumbent Sen. Anna Corbev and the more conservative Rep. Pete Doonan (Teedra).

The close race is dividing Monomi's once-unified Conservative Party. Three months ago, the race was not even thought to be close. But now, with multiple polls showing Corbev and Doonan running even, the expected outcome is even more uncertain.

The most recent poll by Insiders shows Corbev leading Doonan 46% to 45 per cent, with the remaining 9 per cent undecided.

That's very similar to polls commissioned by the campaigns. A Lotus poll, conducted for the Corbev campaign, shows Corbev leading 48% to Doonan's 46%. A poll conducted for Doonan's campaign by Mercury Polling Firm shows Corbev leading 42% to 41% with 17% uncommitted.

The close nature of the race has only worsened the divide between the candidates, their supporters, and other prominent members of the CNS who are taking sides.

Corbev, who has exhibited a more moderate voting record in recent months, is endorsed by former Vice President and Monomi governor Elizabeth Martinez. She also has the blessing of her close friend in the Senate, out-going Sen. Debra York.

Doonan, who previously ran for the Senate in 2008 but ultimately lost to Nathan Lister (NAT), has the support of more hard-line Conservatives, including Devanough Mayor Sharon Osmorda and Secretary of State Sharon Dimaggio.

All members of Monomi's delegation to the National Assembly have declined to endorse either candidate, with most saying they refuse to take sides.

"When [the Conservative Party] has an opportunity like this, to take back the governor's mansion and take control of Monomi's Senate seats, why are we attacking each other?" Rep. Brooke Burnstein (Heydworth) told GNN News.

Monomi's other Senate primary race, between Reps. Cathy De Beers and Rill Stevens, is also becoming increasingly contentious. However, De Beers and Stevens seem to be more friendly toward one another.

"Rill and I disagree on the issues, but we respect one another and we recognize that we both have our dignity and that's something that should stay in the race," De Beers told the NPF.

But the Corbev-Doonan race has become downright nasty, with Doonan accusing Corbev of "selling out" to liberals after she voted for the bipartisan economic stimulus bill and voted to confirm Olivia Lisbet, President Menuhaeo's controversial nominee for Deputy Secretary of Defense.

Doonan also hit Corbev for voting to confirm Eric Alnon, a former deputy superintendent of Treeton Public Schools, who was nominated by the president to serve as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education. Many Conservatives--including Ceona Sen. Megan Sellious, a former Secretary of Education--viewed Alnon as inexperienced for the job.

"Anna Corbev voted for Eric Alnon purely for political reasons. She thought voting for a native son would win her points with the voters back home," Doonan told the Treeton Sun. "And it probably did make people's opinions of her go higher. But the man wasn't qualified for the job, plain and simple. You don't just vote for someone because they happen to be from your home state."

Corbev dismisses the criticism, telling the NPF she voted to confirm Alnon because she felt having a native Monomian in the President's Cabinet would benefit the state.

"Any time you have the President come knocking on your door, wanting to pick someone from your own backyard, that's a big deal," the senator said. "Monomi now has a strong advocate for our state's kids at the table in the President's conference room."

"That was so long ago, I'm not even sure why he's bringing it up," Corbev added.

The Senator also touts her accomplishments, including her co-sponsorship of a bill that increased wheat subsidies for Monomi farmers, a bill that prohibits Grassadellian companies from doing business with the Iranian government or blacklisted Iranian companies, and an appropriation for additional funding for government-sponsored television ads that promote positive parenting.

Doonan downplays the Senator's self-proclaimed "achievements."

"If all she can accomplish in six years is a few farm subsidies, then that's pretty sad," the congressman told reporters in Teedra Sunday.

Corbev accuses Doonan of ignoring her accomplishments and focusing on her perceived failures.

"What he's doing is he's selectively berry-picking these pieces of legislation that I've supported, the presidential nominees I've voted for, and he's trying to write my legislative biography with those very selectively-chosen votes," Corbev told the NPF.

For Corbev supporters, seeing the Senator's record nit-picked is frustrating.

"Anna Corbev has stood up for Monomi and has been one of the loudest voices for change and reform in the Senate," State Rep. Claya Diacrosse (C-East Hanlenberg) told the Sun. "To see her face so much artillery fire, especially from other Conservatives, that's extremely disappointing."

The harsh rhetoric is proof the race is not just uncivil, but also uncertain. With the candidates running neck-and-neck going into the final stretch of the primary campaign, both sides are jam-packing the candidates' schedules with campaign rallies with prominent supporters.

Former Vice President Martinez and Senator York are both scheduled to appear at separate rallies for Corbev next week. Doonan will hold a rally with leaders from the Grassadellian Rifle Club, the nation's largest pro-gun rights group.

The primary election is set for next Tuesday, October 26th.