Trinton gov sees easy path to re-election
WILMINGTON, Trinton--Gov. Mark De Auonne is feeling pretty confident these days.
The first-term Nationalist governor is up for re-election in 2012, but he isn't worried about any potential Conservative challengers.
"Who do they have? They have no one. They have no one at this point," De Auonne told a reporter with the Trinton Examiner newspaper, speaking about the Conservative Party's chances of reclaiming the governor's mansion.
Healthy confidence? Or foolish arrogance? Depends on who you ask.
"He's right. They really don't have anyone that could possibly be stacked against him and win," Trinton Nationalist Party Chairman Paul Lumberg said. "So far, there are no [Conservative] candidates that have a chance."
Trinton State Sen. Jim Conway (N-Delton) told the Examiner the governor "should feel confident."
"I think he has every reason to feel confident in his ability to gain re-election and in his ability to govern this state," Conway said. "He's a good governor."
But Conservatives see the issue differently, no surprise.
"This is a governor who, although he may be a nice person and popular and the media may like him, he's really quite arrogant," said Tom Schillings, chairman of the state Conservatives. "And arrogance is a turn-off to voters. People vote against you when you're arrogant and think you're undefeatable."
Even members of the governor's own party feel the comments show an arrogant feeling of invincibility that is unflattering and unwise.
"It makes him sound like he thinks he can't be beat, when he talks that way," said State Sen. Jim McIlred (N-Alhag). "Part of being a good candidate is being aware that you can never take anything for granted."
The governor may be right to an extent.
The Conservatives, so far, have no announced candidates to challenge De Auonne. His 2010 CNS opponent, Mark Bronure, is now a Federal Assemblyman, representing the electorate of Eminger in southern Trinton, and appears content to stay in the Federal Assembly.
Sen. Greg Baxter's term ends in 2012, but he appears to be leaning toward running for re-election. The state's other CNS senator, Kelsey Frascanio, has also said she wants to stay in the Senate.
The party's only other state-wide office-holder, Secretary of State Trip Kellet, is seeking re-election to his post in 2012.
That leaves relatively few candidates.
The most-mentioned contenders include Trussler Corp. CEO Jim Valoix of Clillenchap, on the state's central coast and State Sen. Jim Cass of Red Trail. Bryan Kim, a Federal MP for Mendenhall in the state's southwest corner, is also thought to be considering a bid.
Former Sens. Brian Brown and Richard C. Parker could also make a bid, though both have said they have no interest in running. Failed 2010 Senate candidate Randy Kalamaza similarly declined to enter the race.
Out of the three oft-mentioned candidates, Valoix, a wealthy businessman, has the most money, while Kim has the most name recognition from a failed Senate primary campaign in 2008 against then-incumbent Brian Brown. Cass has little money or name recognition outside his central-Trinton state Senate district.
But no matter how difficult their chances may be, all three men are giving the idea considerable thought. Valoix told the National Press Federation he is "seriously leaning" toward a gubernatorial run in 2012. Cass has not spoken to the media, but has created a Political Action Committee (PAC), which suggests he may be interested. And Kim told the Mavocke Capitol newspaper he is also "seriously considering" a bid, and will decide this summer after "considerable prayer and talking with my family."
For now though, De Auonne, the young, handsome, and engaging governor, is in a good position for re-election. His approval ratings have fallen from an all-time high of 81% right after his election. But he still has a healthy rating, at 61 per cent. He also has a healthy campaign war chest, with over $1.3 million in the bank already.
WILMINGTON, Trinton--Gov. Mark De Auonne is feeling pretty confident these days.
The first-term Nationalist governor is up for re-election in 2012, but he isn't worried about any potential Conservative challengers.
"Who do they have? They have no one. They have no one at this point," De Auonne told a reporter with the Trinton Examiner newspaper, speaking about the Conservative Party's chances of reclaiming the governor's mansion.
Healthy confidence? Or foolish arrogance? Depends on who you ask.
"He's right. They really don't have anyone that could possibly be stacked against him and win," Trinton Nationalist Party Chairman Paul Lumberg said. "So far, there are no [Conservative] candidates that have a chance."
Trinton State Sen. Jim Conway (N-Delton) told the Examiner the governor "should feel confident."
"I think he has every reason to feel confident in his ability to gain re-election and in his ability to govern this state," Conway said. "He's a good governor."
But Conservatives see the issue differently, no surprise.
"This is a governor who, although he may be a nice person and popular and the media may like him, he's really quite arrogant," said Tom Schillings, chairman of the state Conservatives. "And arrogance is a turn-off to voters. People vote against you when you're arrogant and think you're undefeatable."
Even members of the governor's own party feel the comments show an arrogant feeling of invincibility that is unflattering and unwise.
"It makes him sound like he thinks he can't be beat, when he talks that way," said State Sen. Jim McIlred (N-Alhag). "Part of being a good candidate is being aware that you can never take anything for granted."
The governor may be right to an extent.
The Conservatives, so far, have no announced candidates to challenge De Auonne. His 2010 CNS opponent, Mark Bronure, is now a Federal Assemblyman, representing the electorate of Eminger in southern Trinton, and appears content to stay in the Federal Assembly.
Sen. Greg Baxter's term ends in 2012, but he appears to be leaning toward running for re-election. The state's other CNS senator, Kelsey Frascanio, has also said she wants to stay in the Senate.
The party's only other state-wide office-holder, Secretary of State Trip Kellet, is seeking re-election to his post in 2012.
That leaves relatively few candidates.
The most-mentioned contenders include Trussler Corp. CEO Jim Valoix of Clillenchap, on the state's central coast and State Sen. Jim Cass of Red Trail. Bryan Kim, a Federal MP for Mendenhall in the state's southwest corner, is also thought to be considering a bid.
Former Sens. Brian Brown and Richard C. Parker could also make a bid, though both have said they have no interest in running. Failed 2010 Senate candidate Randy Kalamaza similarly declined to enter the race.
Out of the three oft-mentioned candidates, Valoix, a wealthy businessman, has the most money, while Kim has the most name recognition from a failed Senate primary campaign in 2008 against then-incumbent Brian Brown. Cass has little money or name recognition outside his central-Trinton state Senate district.
But no matter how difficult their chances may be, all three men are giving the idea considerable thought. Valoix told the National Press Federation he is "seriously leaning" toward a gubernatorial run in 2012. Cass has not spoken to the media, but has created a Political Action Committee (PAC), which suggests he may be interested. And Kim told the Mavocke Capitol newspaper he is also "seriously considering" a bid, and will decide this summer after "considerable prayer and talking with my family."
For now though, De Auonne, the young, handsome, and engaging governor, is in a good position for re-election. His approval ratings have fallen from an all-time high of 81% right after his election. But he still has a healthy rating, at 61 per cent. He also has a healthy campaign war chest, with over $1.3 million in the bank already.
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