Snowstorm Slams Wilkonshire, Damoign

Traffic, schools impacted by big storm

CHRISTON, Wilkonshire--A massive snowstorm that struck much of Wilkonshire and southern Damoign has left thousands of airline passengers stranded and is forcing thousands of school children to stay home tomorrow.

The storm hit the state's largest city, Christon, around 2:00 pm eastern time Wednesday, bringing up to eight inches of snow and wind gusts of 50 mph.

Further north in New Dunslee, the National Weather Observancy Bureau reported up to ten inches and similar gusts. Across the state line in neighboring Crowderville, Damoign, residents were dealing with high snow accumulations and downed power lines and trees.

Further west in the Oak Valley area, winds were sustained at 40-50 mph, and drifting snow caused hundreds of accidents along NR-5 and in the metropolitan areas. NR-5 has since been shut down from Lanby in the east to Pollis Creek in the west.

In the heavily-populated NR-1 corridor in eastern Wilkonshire, only state routes had been shut down by the Wilkonshire State Police (WSP), but NR-1 remained open, as of 10:00 pm eastern time.

On the other side of the state, at the capitol in Provincetown, where the storm did not hit, Governor Caroline Jepsey was briefed on the situation via satellite by Christon Mayor Tara Hadley and other local officials.

Jepsey told reporters she was dispatching state snow plows from western Wilkonshire to the much in need east side.

"I've talked with Mayor Hadley and the other mayors and officials over there, and basically, what they're telling me is that this is a very big storm that has caused a lot of travel headaches for a lot of people, but it's also a storm that has the potential for loss of life," Jepsey said. "My goal as governor is to reduce that risk and give our local governments the tools that they need to get the roads cleared and the airports running again."

Jepsey also asked for patience.

"This is a very big storm that no one was adequately prepared for and I'm just asking all Wilkonshireans to please bear with us in patience. We are getting streets plowed as fast as we can. We are getting highways sanded as fast as possible. We are trying to get flights resumed as quickly as possibly."

In Christon, Hadley was asking residents to stay home.

"The best thing you can do right now is simply stay home. The less people on the roads, the better," the mayor said.

Wilkonshire State Police were reporting upwards of 4,000 vehicle collisions in the eastern part of the state.

"There are a lot of people out there driving that have no idea how to drive in the snow," Constable Jeff Dunin told GBC Local Radio 1040. "We're advising drivers to just stay home tonight. There's no need to be out on the roads in this kind of dangerous weather."

Power outages were also a problem. As of 7:00 pm, there were some 260,000 households without power in the greater Christon area, according to Coastal Energy. Other electric companies reported about 60,000 customers without power in the New Dunslee area and another 40,000 in the Oak Valley region.

Already, hundreds of schools have cancelled or delayed classes for Thursday. Christon Public Schools, the state's largest public school district, cancelled classes for Thursday and may do so for Friday as well, a spokeswoman said.

And travel at Christon's main airport is at a standstill. More than a hundred flights were cancelled throughout the day, and thousands of passengers are stranded waiting for the weather to clear. A spokeswoman for GrassAir said the airline cancelled 27 flights into and departing from Christon.

"As soon as the weather clears, we are expecting to get our planes back up in the air and our passengers to their destinations," the spokeswoman said.

Addelson Holds On In Special Senate Election

Nationalist senator holds off insurgent conservative opponent

DASH KNOLL, Deschire--Incumbent Sen. Jhinny Addelson (NAT) has hung on to secure a second term in the Senate.

With 97 per cent of precincts reporting, Addelson led Conservative Congressman Clay Aioki by a margin of 51-49 per cent.

Addelson briefly spoke at her campaign celebration in the city of Dash Knoll in northwestern Deschire, telling supporters today's vote was "a re-affirmation of the work we've been doing in Mavocke."

Aioki also spoke to his supporters in Berivian, telling the crowd that the people of Deschire were "hungry for change" but the special election dampened voter turn-out.

"I'm confident that if the election would have been held on election day with every other race, we would have been victorious," Aioki said. "But the people have spoken in this special election, and we respect the will of the people."

The two were competing in a special election, making Addelson's seat the last to be called in the 2010 elections.

Addelson's victory now gives the Nationalists a majority in the Senate. The party will now hold 46 seats to the Conservatives' 44. The Democratic-Reformist Party also holds 3 seats, while two seats are held by Independents.

That means the NAT can now proceed with forming leadership in the upper house, something it had previously been unable to do because of the almost evenly-split numbers in the Senate.

Paradise Cathedral Facing Senate Investigation

Tax issues at center of investigation

PARADISE VALLEY, Monomi--The popular megachurch Paradise Cathedral, in Treeton's western suburbs, is facing an investigation from the Federal Senate's Faith and Religion Committee.

The church, which is famous for the many celebrities who have attended over the years, is being investigated for possible tax discrepancies and misuse of funds.

Senior Pastor Jim Mareesza, and his wife Linda, are also named in the investigation and may be asked to testify before the committee in Mavocke.

Currently, the church has an average weekly attendance of 17,000 people, and while church officials are refusing to release the sum earnings from the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the church did open an $82 million exhibition centre on the main campus in Paradise Valley last August.

Because her husband is also the pastor of a charismatic evangelical megachurch, Sen. Alyssa Jones (C-DMG), who chairs the Senate Faith and Religion Committee, has recused herself from leading the investigation, and has asked ranking member Sen. Lincoln Pacinow (N-WEL) to lead the investigation.

In a statement at the committee's hearings last week, Jones said her husband Darren Jones, who is a senior-executive pastor at Falls Church in Grassadellia City, has "met Jim and Linda Mareesza once or twice, but does not carry on a friendship with them."

Jones added that her husband met the Mareesza's at church conferences.

A lawyer for the church and for the Mareesza's did not comment on the pending case.

For years, Paradise Cathedral has served as the spiritual home of famous celebrities. The church, which became famous in the 1970's when it was first constructed, has served as the backdrop for many celebrity weddings and funerals, most recently for the funeral of actor Jack Spragen last year.

Among the many celebrities that currently attend Paradise Cathedral are actors Bob Ripmorten, Leslie Utesh, Ann Ramsey and Jeff Figlebottom. Golf star Adrian Pond has also been seen attending the Cathedral.

Senators Jockey For Leadership Positions

Members from both parties vying for leadership while control of Senate still uncertain

MAVOCKE--Several senators from both parties are jockeying for leadership positions within the chamber.

Since it's unclear still which party will hold either an outright majority or a coalition majority, members from both sides are quietly seeking support from their peers for the majority leader and assistant majority leader posts.

On the Conservative side, Sen. Jared Lanman of Remmington, the former assistant majority leader under now-retired George Landers of Ceona, is considered the front runner for majority leader should the CNS win control. Other Conservatives seeking that position include John BiGadi of Lial, Nancy Lindselli of East Deschire, Jay Burns of Deschire and Dick Trau of POG.

An interesting twist: Trau is married to Lanman's older sister, POG Lieutenant Governor Beth Lanman-Trau.

Supporters of Lanman and Burns say the two young senators would bring youth and vigor to the position. Backers of Lindselli and Trau believe they would bring experience to a job--majority leader--that is notoriously difficult to carry out successfully, especially in times of divided government, as the Senate currently finds itself in.

John BiGadi supporters say the Lial senator's background in the finance sector would be valuable in times of economic crisis.

On the Nationalist side, current Minority Leader Shay Robertson of Damoign is considered a front runner, as are Lial Senator John Morandi and Wellington Senator Paul Leitcher. Fellow Damoign Senator Jean Chaveau has thrown her hat into the ring, as have Kalnier's Paul LeBouse and POG's John Yannes.

Typically, the minority leader assumes the majority post when his or her party wins a majority. But Robertson, along with Nationalist Senate Campaign Committee (NSCC) chairman Steve Kolotano of Biereland, has faced criticism from many of his NAT peers for running a less-than-impressive campaign, in which Nationalists gained no seats in the 2010 elections.

"Shay Robertson should have been able to pick up at least five seats in this election, and instead the Conservatives stole several away from us," one NAT senator, who did not want to be named, told the Mavocke Capitol newspaper.

Morandi and Leitcher are likely to be the top two choices, as both have years of leadership experience and a record of bipartisanship.

But control of the Senate is still uncertain, as incumbent Sen. Jhinny Addelson of Deschire faces a special election against Conservative Congressman Clay Aioki.

Currently, the Conservative Party holds 44 seats, the Nationalists 45, the Democratic-Reformists 3, and, with yesterday's election of George Reedsworth in Trinton, there are now two Independent senators in the chamber as well.

If Aioki wins the special election, that will result in both the NAT and the CNS having 45 seats each. Senate tradition holds that the party of the sitting Vice President shall have the first opportunity to form government, in the event of a tie, which would give the Nationalists an opportunity to form a coalition with the minor party members. If that fails, the Conservatives will then have a chance to form government.

The current power struggle in the Senate is strangely similar to that following the 2008 elections, in which both parties had an equal number of seats. It wasn't until Senator Isaak Slooter of New Portsmouth switched his party affiliation from Traditionalist to Conservative that the CNS was able to claim an outright majority by one seat.

Reedsworth Wins Senate Run-Off in Trinton

Three-term senator defeated by insurgent congressman

WILMINGTON, Trinton--Veteran Nationalist Senator Grace Kemp's tenure in the upper house came to an end Tuesday night, as Conservative-turned-Independent George Reedsworth defeated the three-term incumbent in a run-off election.

With 98 per cent of the state's precincts reporting, Reedsworth, 65, a congressman from the southern suburbs of Wilmington, led with 54.9 per cent to Kemp's 45.1 per cent.

It was a decisive victory for Reedsworth, who actually came in second place in a three-way race during the general election. In that race, Kemp came out on top with just under 40 per cent, the necessary amount to win. Reedsworth trailed with 32.5 per cent, followed by Conservative state Sen. Randy Kalamaza, who had 27.9 per cent.

Because no candidate reached the 40 per cent mark, the minimum required by state law to be certified the winner, the top two candidates, Kemp and Reedsworth, advanced to the run-off election.

Kemp, now 58, was just 40 years old when he entered the Senate. His tireless work on the environment and anti-war initiatives, his record of securing funding for his home state, as well as other liberal views made him a favorite in the run-off election in a state where Nationalists outnumber Conservatives 2-to-1.

But relentless attacks on his hyper-partisan nature and volatile temper caused Kemp's support to slip. Reedsworth, buoyed by enthused Conservatives, gained momentum and quickly caught up to Kemp in the polls.

Returns released by Trinton Secretary of State Trip Kellet show voter turn-out was substantially higher in the predominantly conservative areas of southern and western Trinton. Turn-out in the more liberal north, where the Kemp campaign was hoping to maximize vote gains, was considerably lower.

Statewide voter turn-out was around 43 per cent, according to Kellet; higher than his earlier prediction of 37 per cent.

Speaking to supporters at the Dublin Hotel in downtown Wilmington, Reedsworth promised to bring real change to the Senate.

"I have never been one to abide by convention or party politics. I never let politics determine my vote when I was in the Assembly, and I'll never let it determine my votes while in the Senate," he said.

Kemp, whose supporters gathered in the northern city of Tornboro, was visibly emotional as he recalled the past 18 years he spent in the Senate.

"While this is not the outcome we were hoping for, I respect the will of the voters," he said. "My time in the Senate has been the greatest time of my life. I am honored the people of Trinton have allowed me the opportunity to serve them in such a proud and distinguished way."

At his victory celebration, Reedsworth was joined on stage by Sen. Kelsey Frascanio, whose allegiance to the congressman waivered considerably during the campaign.

Reedsworth, who served in the Assembly for 12 years as a Conservative, lost the CNS primary to the more hardline Randy Kalamaza. After initially endorsing Reedsworth, Frascanio, Trinton's first woman in the Senate, changed her mind and backed Kalamaza.

When Kalamaza lost in the general election, Frascanio vowed to stay neutral during the run-off. But on Sunday, Ms. Frascanio made a last-minute endorsement of Reedsworth, who ran as an Independent after losing the primary to Kalamaza.

It was a complicated relationship and a confusing assortment of endorsements and retractions. But Frascanio and Sen. Kit McHenry of Veroche, chairwoman of the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee (CSCC), vowed to support Reedsworth despite the bitter primary and party switching controversy.

"George Reedsworth was not my first choice for Senate. But he's a heck of a lot better than Grace Kemp," Frascanio told GNN's James Madine on Monday.

McHenry told the GBC's Gene Caughley the CSCC would back Reedsworth "One hundred per cent, irrespective of the primary and party switching issue.

"In my view, George Reedsworth was a Conservative and he left the party unwillingly because he lost to a strong-willed but less viable candidate. He still is a Conservative. The affiliation behind his name may have changed but his values still line up with the Conservative Party," McHenry said.

Despite the public support from national party leaders, many Conservatives in Trinton, particularly social Conservatives, refused to support Reedsworth, who is decidedly more liberal on issues such as abortion and stem cell research. A recent Liberty poll showed only 3 in 10 social conservatives supporting Reedsworth.

In contrast, 8 in 10 self-described "moderate" voters supported him, as did 8 out of 10 independents, according to the poll.

Reedsworth plans to caucus with the Conservatives, although he has vowed to remain "independent in spirit" while in the Senate.

"I will not be beholden to any political party. I will not let any other politician tell me what to do. I will stand up for the people of Trinton at all costs," he said.

His election is a big victory for Conservatives, who are currently dead-locked with Nationalists for control of the Senate. As it stands now, the Conservatives have 44 members, the Nationalists 45, along with 3 Democratic-Reformists and 2 Independents (counting Reedsworth).

One Senate seat is still up for grabs, and that is the seat currently held by Nationalist incumbent Jhinny Addelson of Deschire. She is facing a strong challenge from Conservative Congressman Clay Aioki. The special election for that seat is scheduled for Saturday, February 19.

Conservatives are hoping to knock off Addelson in Deschire as well, which would give both parties 45 seats each. However, Democratic-Reformist Senators Julie Wynymer of Carova and William J. Locke of Monomi, as well as Independent Niles Gilcrest of Veroche, have all committed to caucusing with the Conservatives.

Together, with Reedsworth, the Conservatives would be able to form a coalition with the two Democratic-Reformist members and the two Independent members, creating a coalition of 49 members to the Nationalists' 45, plus D-R Sen. Sheila Crouwsky of POG, or a coalition split of 49 to 46.

Control of the Senate will be uncertain until Saturday's election in Deschire, although the composition of the Senate is likely to remain largely unchanged, as the Conservatives held a one-seat majority during the 2008-2010 session. The Senate will continue in gridlock until the 2012 elections, most observers say.

"You've got two coalitions, one conservative and one liberal, and they're both almost evenly proportioned," says GNN political analyst James Madine. "Grassadellians must love gridlock, because this is the second consecutive election where we've almost perfectly split the Senate in half between the two parties. Do you think much is going to get done in the next two years? Probably not."

Poll Shows Reedsworth Leading in Trinton Run-Off Election

Poll marks first time incumbent senator has not led

WILMINGTON, Trinton--A new Liberty poll released Saturday shows Conservative-turned-Independent Congressman George Reedsworth leading incumbent Nationalist Sen. Grace Kemp for the first time in the state's run-off Senate election.

The poll shows the two essentially tied, with Reedsworth leading with 51% to Kemp's 49 per cent.

Voters in Trinton will go to the polls on Tuesday for a special run-off election between the three-term incumbent Kemp and the six-term Rep. Reedsworth. The two are heading to a run-off after neither candidate reached the necessary 40 per cent threshold required under Trinton law in the general election.

In the original contest, Kemp garnered 39.6% to Reedsworth's 32.5% and Conservative candidate Randy Kalamaza's 27.9 per cent.

Now it's Reedsworth versus Kemp, and all previous polls have shown Kemp with the edge. But that appears to be changing, as Reedsworth has hit the campaign trail hard, emphasizing Kemp's lengthy history in the Senate, his strongly party-line voting record, and his intensely partisan nature.

"Grace Kemp was named the second-most liberal senator last year. And he's one of the most bitterly partisan senators. He is not independent. He is not bipartisan. He is not a uniter. He's a divider, and the people of Trinton are tired of politics as usual," Reedsworth told reporters at a campaign stop in Turnatin, southeast of Wilmington, Sunday. "The people of this state want a senator who will work with the other side to get things done, not someone who is so obsessed with being right they will impede and obstruct any kind of progress just to support their own selfish efforts."

Those are strong words from a man whose own party is hardly united behind him. Reedsworth decided to run as an independent after he was defeated by right-wing state Sen. Randy Kalamaza in the Conservative primary. Kalamaza, who lost in the three-way general election, has so far declined to endorse Reedsworth.

Sen. Kelsey Frascanio, who originally promised to support Reedsworth in the primary but then changed her mind and backed Kalamaza, is the Conservative from Trinton to publicly endorse Reedsworth in the run-off. Critics say Frascanio is trying to make amends for breaking her word during the primary, something the senator denies.

"I'm not trying to make amends. I was very clear that I supported Randy Kalamaza during the general election. And he would still have been my preferred choice. But George Reedsworth is a good man and his values are more in line with mine and the people of this state than those of Grace Kemp," Frascanio said on GNN's Capitol Report.

Sen. Kit McHenry (C-VER), who heads the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee (CSCC), last week pledged to support Reedsworth in the run-off, despite any past tensions during the primary.

"George Reedsworth is a Conservative and he is the best candidate to represent Trinton in the Senate. And he will have the full backing of the CSCC," McHenry told the GBC's Gene Caughley.

Reedsworth welcomed the lukewarm support from his former party on Sunday, telling local media that he is "touched" to have the support of Frascanio and McHenry and other national leaders. But he also stressed his campaign is not about political affiliation but about a common ideology.

"It's nice to have their support but the people supporting me are not just Conservatives. The people behind this campaign are Conservatives, independents, and concerned Nationalists that believe Grace Kemp has been in office too long and needs to go. There are people from every political party and persuasion that are longing for change and I don't think either party has a monopoly on change," the congressman said.

As for the favorable poll results showing him leading, the Reedsworth campaign brushed it off, telling the NPF the congressman is "campaigning as if he's behind by twenty points."

"We've never taken this election for granted and we never will," campaign spokesman Cory Martin said.

The Kemp campaign dismissed the poll and Reedsworth's comments, saying the congressman, who has already previously ran for Senate twice in the past, "will do or say anything to get elected."

"George Reedsworth is traveling around this state trashing Grace Kemp and it's all because he has no ideas and no vision for this state," campaign spokeswoman Mary Nam said. "Attacking Grace Kemp is not a solution, it's a cheap campaign trick.

"The people of Trinton recognize that Grace Kemp has delivered for our state and is best-prepared to lead us during these difficult times," Nam continued.

Kemp himself was campaigning in Tornboro in the northeastern part of the state, Sunday. In order to win, the senator must have strong support from the northern liberal stronghold of Tornboro and the northern sections of Wilmington.

The Reedsworth campaign is focusing on the southern and much more conservative part of the state, where high voter turn-out there could push the congressman over the edge.

Passengers Sit on Tarmac for More Than an Hour

Airline apologizes for inconvenience, refunds tickets

LAVINGTON, Veroche--More than 160 passengers aboard a Swiss Air flight were forced to sit on the tarmac for more than an hour Friday afternoon.

Passengers aboard Christon-bound flight 190 were not allowed to leave the plane while it sat on the tarmac at Lavington International Airport, as the pilot and maintenance crews inspected the plane's wheels and hydraulic system.

A spokeswoman for Swiss Air told the NPF it is standard company policy to keep all passengers on board the plane if a maintenance problem emerges after the plane has already been boarded. The pilot and flight crew acted in accordance with company policy, she said.

But passengers say they should have been allowed to leave the plane and go back to the terminal.

"It's very frustrating when you rush to catch a flight and then you just sit there immobile for an hour and you can't move or go anywhere," one passenger told the NPF.

The National Aviation Authority (NAA) made clear that government rules do not require airlines to hold passengers on flights, except in extreme cases of suspected terrorism or criminal activity.

"There is nothing in our policy that requires airlines or pilots to necessitate the forced witholding of passengers on a plane while on the tarmac during inspection," spokesman Chris Wingle told the NPF.

A spokesman for Lavington International Airport said the mid-sized facility also does not have a policy requiring passengers to stay on the tarmac.

"This was a decision totally up to the airline," Josh Hammil said.

While on the tarmac, passengers were given food and water, and were allowed to use their cell phones and other electronics.

The airline has since apologized and given customers full refunds.

"It was never our intention to inconvenience our passengers. Our flight crew followed company policy, which is in place to ensure the safety and comfort of all Swiss Air customers," a spokeswoman said in a statement to the media.

The NAA is investigating the incident.

Daybold to Replace Johnson as Host of National News

Network to reshape evening news program

GRASSADELLIA CITY--Longtime GNN newsman Alan Daybold will replace Fred Johnson as host of GNN's National News program.

The network made the announcement Thursday, after it was revealed earlier this week Johnson's contract was not renewed back in January.

In a statement, the network announced it is "looking to take a new direction" with National News and that Johnson had "served GNN and his viewers honorably."

The terms of Daybold's contract have not been released. He has worked for GNN since 1996 and before that worked for the GBC.

Johnson, the popular American who became the first foreign-born person to host a major evening news television program in Grassadellian history, was not available for comment.

His publicist, Jon Docieman, also declined to comment.

It's uncertain what Johnson's future plans are. There is some speculation the anchor, who holds dual citizenship, may return to the United States. It's possible he may also relocate to England, where his wife Marsha, is originally from.

The couple currently reside in Grassadellia City with their two sons. They also own an expansive waterfront estate in East Hill, Armana. There has been no sign the couple intend to sell either residence.

Daybold is scheduled to take over the newscast on March 1st. In the meantime, Awakening A Nation anchors Michael Micardi, Susie Michellen, Leah Chang and Katie Ann Pierce will rotate as fill-ins.

Blankenship: 'No Regrets' About Failed Senate Re-Election Bid

Outspoken former senator says she'd 'do it all over again'

LANDASTON, Veroche--Former Sen. Evelynn Blankenship said she has "no regrets" about her failed Senate re-election bid.

The outspoken Conservative made the comments on the GBC's Weekend Glance program, telling substitute host Ed McCulvie she would "do it all over again."

"I wouldn't change one bit of my campaign, Ed," Blankenship said. "We ran a campaign based on the honor and integrity that is expected of elected officials."

McCulvie asked specifically about the overt use of religion in her campaign, including a much-publicized incident in which the senator was prayed over by fellow parishoners at her church in suburban Landaston.

That incident, which included fellow worshipers laying hands on the senator and asking God to "deliver victory" received much criticism from Blankenship's Nationalist opponent, David Acade.

"She's a religious radical who believes this campaign is a holy war between good and evil," Veroche Nationalist Party Chairman Paul Akrod said at the time. "She literally thinks God annointed her to be senator."

Blankenship made no apologies for receiving prayer in a public manner.

"I'm an elected official. I should have people praying for me...praying that I will make the right decisions that honor God and our country," she told McCulvie.

"I'm not going to apologize for asking people to pray for me," Blankenship continued.

On the issue of being "annointed" by God to win the election, as some charged, Blankenship said she never said it was God's will for her to win.

"I never walked up there and said, 'I am going to win this race because God wants me to win it.' I never said those words. What I said was that God had annointed me to run, he had annointed me to have the opportunity to serve and to run for office. I still believe to this day that God has annointed me to be a voice for righteousness and morality in this state and in all of Grassadellia."

Critics within her party argued that the overt use of religion was a turn-off to voters and a media distraction.

"That's absurd. Religion had nothing to do with me losing. I lost because this was a change election, and because the people of Veroche wanted a change in leadership. And I respect that. But when people say we lost because I wasn't afraid to show my trust in God, I just have to disagree with that strongly.

"My faith has always played an integral role in my life, Ed. And if people are offended by that, then I'm sorry but that's not going to change. I believe what I believe and I have a relationship with the Lord and I'm not afraid to say it and I refuse to shush my beliefs because it may offend some people or jeopardize an election. One thing people know about me is that I always speak what's on my mind and I am very forthright. What you see is what you get with me. And if that's a problem for some people, well, then so be it."

As for a possible political comeback, Blankenship would not rule out another run for public office.

"I can't say that I know what I'm going to do yet, but I can't rule out a run for office yet entirely," she said. "It all comes down to what God wants and whether my husband Jim and my kids will go along with it."

Frederickson Won't Run For Governor

Popular Mavocke mayor's decision a blow to Conservatives

MAVOCKE--Popular Mavocke mayor Tom Frederickson has passed on a run for governor of Roddenclanshire.

Frederickson's decision is a blow to Conservatives, who have no other viable candidates interested in the job.

The only announced candidate for the CNS is state Senator Jim Curry of Brimedaw, considered a long-shot.

Last week, Welchford Mayor Mona Rodgers, a Nationalist, announced her intention to run in the special election, which is set for March 3.