KOEURN, Ansleigha--The Nationalist Party is hoping to win a majority in the Federal Assembly for the first time in more than a decade. And picking up Conservative-held seats in the state of Ansleigha is part of their strategy for reaching that goal.
Key NAT leaders are watching the state closely, and are hoping an anti-Conservative sentiment that's sweeping parts of the country will take deep root in a state that is already well-known for its battleground status.
Ansleigha has more registered Nationalist voters than Conservatives, but the CNS controls the governor's mansion and two of the state's four Senate seats. In addition, the lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general are all Conservatives.
Currently, four of the state's seven assemblymen are Conservatives. But that could change in 2012 if the NAT gets its way.
Their main target is freshman Rep. Michael Collins, who represents the battleground constituency of Hawkinson in the central part of the state. The district includes the northern and western parts of Danaecke, Ansleigha's fourth largest city, and goes west all the way to the Danver River, including Kollandon in the north-central part of the state, as well.
The state NAT is hoping to recruit Kollandon Mayor Jeff Felworth, who ran unsuccessfully against Collins in 2010, for a rematch, only this time, a nation-wide NAT wave could catapult Felworth into first place.
Fellow freshman Rep. McKendra Brown, who represents Gowlinson, which is home to Ansleigha's largest city, Koeurn, is also likely to face a tough race. The district is, overall, NAT-leaning. But the outer suburbs helped Brown defeat Koeurn City Councillor Chris Hayfield by a comfortable margin of 55% to 45% in the 2010 race.
This time around, NAT leaders are hoping to recruit a stronger candidate. And they're hoping Koeurn's liberal bent will outweigh any support the moderate Brown might have in the suburban areas.
Also in the NAT's cross-hairs: Reps. Nick Winsich of Bedland-Brinson in Ansleigha's east, and the outspoken Tara Burlingame, who represents Chadwick and the Donsides in the state's southwestern coal country.
Both won election relatively easily in 2010, but Winsich could face a more difficult opponent in 2012, and Burlingame is likely to face a rematch against Rawlingsworth businessman Roman LaPierre. And neither district is a Conservative lock-hold.
Nationalists will almost for sure keep the seat of Tidewell in the southern part of the state, where Rep. Jeff Symanthe cruised to victory in 2010. The liberal strong-hold of Churchtown makes it extremely difficult for the CNS to compete there. Rep. Chris Gilson, a freshman Nationalist who defeated incumbent Jeff Woonby (C), will also likely keep his seat, though a competitive CNS opponent could spring up.
The one bright spot for Conservatives will be the seat of Ambrose in northwestern Ansleigha, where veteran Assemblyman Pat Alosha is retiring. It's rumored former Rep. Jaime Scousenovy (N) may run for the seat, but Conservatives are banking on businessman Bill Haas making a second bid. Haas, a political newcomer, almost beat Alosha in the 2010 race. A Scousenovy-Haas match-up would be very close, but definitely attainable for the Conservatives.
One other thing in the Conservatives' favor: Governor Dale Lindstrom. While the national mood is souring on the Conservative party, Lindstrom remains popular, and will be on the ballot in 2012 for his first full term in office. His popularity will be a big boost to the party's endangered incumbents.
Key NAT leaders are watching the state closely, and are hoping an anti-Conservative sentiment that's sweeping parts of the country will take deep root in a state that is already well-known for its battleground status.
Ansleigha has more registered Nationalist voters than Conservatives, but the CNS controls the governor's mansion and two of the state's four Senate seats. In addition, the lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general are all Conservatives.
Currently, four of the state's seven assemblymen are Conservatives. But that could change in 2012 if the NAT gets its way.
Their main target is freshman Rep. Michael Collins, who represents the battleground constituency of Hawkinson in the central part of the state. The district includes the northern and western parts of Danaecke, Ansleigha's fourth largest city, and goes west all the way to the Danver River, including Kollandon in the north-central part of the state, as well.
The state NAT is hoping to recruit Kollandon Mayor Jeff Felworth, who ran unsuccessfully against Collins in 2010, for a rematch, only this time, a nation-wide NAT wave could catapult Felworth into first place.
Fellow freshman Rep. McKendra Brown, who represents Gowlinson, which is home to Ansleigha's largest city, Koeurn, is also likely to face a tough race. The district is, overall, NAT-leaning. But the outer suburbs helped Brown defeat Koeurn City Councillor Chris Hayfield by a comfortable margin of 55% to 45% in the 2010 race.
This time around, NAT leaders are hoping to recruit a stronger candidate. And they're hoping Koeurn's liberal bent will outweigh any support the moderate Brown might have in the suburban areas.
Also in the NAT's cross-hairs: Reps. Nick Winsich of Bedland-Brinson in Ansleigha's east, and the outspoken Tara Burlingame, who represents Chadwick and the Donsides in the state's southwestern coal country.
Both won election relatively easily in 2010, but Winsich could face a more difficult opponent in 2012, and Burlingame is likely to face a rematch against Rawlingsworth businessman Roman LaPierre. And neither district is a Conservative lock-hold.
Nationalists will almost for sure keep the seat of Tidewell in the southern part of the state, where Rep. Jeff Symanthe cruised to victory in 2010. The liberal strong-hold of Churchtown makes it extremely difficult for the CNS to compete there. Rep. Chris Gilson, a freshman Nationalist who defeated incumbent Jeff Woonby (C), will also likely keep his seat, though a competitive CNS opponent could spring up.
The one bright spot for Conservatives will be the seat of Ambrose in northwestern Ansleigha, where veteran Assemblyman Pat Alosha is retiring. It's rumored former Rep. Jaime Scousenovy (N) may run for the seat, but Conservatives are banking on businessman Bill Haas making a second bid. Haas, a political newcomer, almost beat Alosha in the 2010 race. A Scousenovy-Haas match-up would be very close, but definitely attainable for the Conservatives.
One other thing in the Conservatives' favor: Governor Dale Lindstrom. While the national mood is souring on the Conservative party, Lindstrom remains popular, and will be on the ballot in 2012 for his first full term in office. His popularity will be a big boost to the party's endangered incumbents.
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