Duschowitz 'Relieved' Election Over, Decries Campaign's Negative Tone

Ousted gov says negative campaign took toll on family

BROOKINGS, BIERELAND--Outgoing Biereland Gov. Jenny Duschowitz is "relieved" the election is over.

The Conservative governor who lost her re-election bid to Nationalist San Bartholomew admits she's disappointed she lost, but told the Greene Mountain Press newspaper she's glad the election is over.

"I'm relieved it's over because this election was just extremely negative and heated, and it really took a toll on my family and myself," Duschowitz said.

The governor told the GMP even her young children started questioning her personal character and integrity when they saw negative campaign literature that attacked the governor's position on the environment, abortion, and gay marriage.

"I knew I'd had enough when I walked in the front door at home one night and my nine-year-old daughter ran up to me in tears saying she had heard all these horrible things, like I didn't care about polar bears or pregnant ladies and that I hated gay people. She had seen some videos on YouTube and all the negative ads in the mail. Even kids at school were telling her these things," Duschowitz said.

Duschowitz is no political wimp. In her first run for governor, she faced a tense general campaign against then-Brookings Mayor Steve Pottomeaux. Before that, she served as lieutenant governor and before that in Mavocke working for President Dan Byelle's communications team.

"I've seen a lot of ugliness in politics," Duschowitz told the GBC's Glenn Awell in an interview last week. "But this race takes the cake, as far as I'm concerned. I've never been the target of a campaign as heated and downright hateful as this campaign. This race was extraordinarily negative and full of attacks. And that saddens me because Biereland is not that kind of state. We pride ourselves in Biereland on having a civil, positive discourse. I feel like Biereland is better than that. And the people of Biereland lost out on this one."

The gubernatorial race in Biereland was considered the closest race in the country, and quickly became the most intense and divisive of the 2010 election cycle. Both political parties poured millions of dollars, many from out of state, into the race.

Despite serious policy differences, Duschowitz says she wishes her successor well.

"I hope San Bartholomew realizes that he works for the people of Biereland, and not for himself or the Nationalist Party or any special interest group," she said. "And I hope his governing strategy is more diplomatic and conciliatory than his campaign against me."