Conservatives look to buoy Lindselli

HANSBORO, East Deschire--With the election fast-approaching and the Conservative party facing an uphill battle to defend their seats in the Senate, party leaders are looking to boost incumbents, hoping to minimize the damage.

Among those getting a boost from party leaders is vulnerable Sen. Nancy Lindselli of East Deschire.

First elected in 2008 in a special election, Lindselli is seeking her first full term. She's facing a tough race from Secretary of State Allison Sweeten, who ran for the Senate in 2010 but narrowly lost to Conservative Mike Aventhalle.

Lindselli has been active in the Senate over the last four years, proposing dozens of bills, and has been at the forefront of the Conservatives in the Senate, frequently appearing on television programs to tout the party's position on issues.

The NAT sees Lindselli as a vulnerable incumbent, entrenched in partisanship and too extreme for East Deschire.

And a recent poll shows Lindselli leading Sweeten 51% to 49%, well within the margin of error.

That's why Conservatives are bringing in some of the party's most visible faces to help campaign for Lindselli.

Fellow East Deschire Conservative Aventhalle will be campaigning over the next few weeks for Lindselli.

Senate Minority Leader Jay Burns (C-Deschire) will campaign for Lindselli at an event in Shansho.

And Ansleigha Sen. Jon Ralston, who heads the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee (CSCC), will be holding a rally with Lindselli in Ridgeview later this week.

Popular Biereland Sen. Jhana Schueler will also campaign for Lindselli, as will Veroche Sen. Kit McHenry.

Ralston says it's a strategy the party is using to get Conservatives to turn out in strong numbers at the polling booths.

"We're having all these high-profile senators and Conservatives come in to East Deschire to fire up the Conservatives in this state. We know there are a lot of Conservatives in East Deschire, but we need to make sure every one of them gets out there and votes," Ralston said.

Lindselli is appreciate of all the support.

"I know this is a close race, and I know I can't win this thing without the help of my supporters and my friends in the Senate. So I'm very grateful that all of them are taking time out of their busy schedules to come help me out," she told the Mavocke Capitol.

Sweeten will have her share of help too.

Gov. Lynn DeMont will campaign with her in Hansboro and Bridgeworth, and Sen. John Yannes (N-Onakiah), who chairs the Nationalist Senate Campaign Organization (NSCO), will also appear with her at a rally later next week.

One thing is for sure, the Harvest State is in for another tight Senate race this election cycle.

Suspects arrested in murder of federal prosecutor

MAINE CITY, Armana--Crown Police have arrested two suspects in the 2010 murder of a federal prosecutor.

Police announced the arrest of 28-year-old DaShaun Edwol and 26-year-old Franklin Kyle Peters in connection with the execution-style murder of Assistant Federal Prosecutor Charlie O'Fallon.

O'Fallon was gunned down on his home's door step in late September 2010, while grabbing the newspaper in the morning before leaving for work.

At the time, police had little clues. But a neighbor reported seeing a silver sedan with tinted windows, though could not identify a particular make or model.

Investigators acknowledged at the time that, as a federal prosecutor, O'Fallon theoretically had many possible enemies who may have wanted to harm him.

Few leads came into investigators over the past two years, until late April of this year, when local police in Maine City arrested a man for possession of cocaine and gang violence.

That man, 32-year-old Jon Russell Turiq, told police he knew information about O'Fallon's murder.

Officials initially believed Turiq's story was made-up, in an attempt to broker a lighter prison sentence.

But he knew details about O'Fallon and the crime, and police followed up on his tip, which eventually led to the arrest of Edwol and Peters.

"I'm pleased to announce that we have made arrests in the 2010 homicide case of slain federal prosecutor Charlie O'Fallon," Agent Frank Swanum, of the Crown Police's Maine City division announced at a press conference.

"Mr. O'Fallon's brutal killing was shocking; caused a great deal of terror to the community, and caused unspeakable pain and loss for the O'Fallon family. We believe that justice will finally be served for the suspects involved," Swanum said.

The motive for the killing, according to police, was a conviction related to gang violence.

"The two suspects were members of a particular gang on Maine City's north side. A fellow member of their gang, and a friend of their's, was arrested and Prosecutor O'Fallon successfully convicted this individual of gang violence, drugs, trafficking weapons, among other charges. The two suspects were upset by this, and were particularly upset that their friend was sentenced to life in prison, a term that they deemed too severe, and as a result, they decided to get pay-back on Mr. O'Fallon by shooting him to death in a vicious drive-by shooting," Swanum said.

A third female suspect is still being sought in connection with aiding the two killers, Swanum said.

O'Fallon's boss and colleague, Federal Attorney Allan Whailer, told the NPF he was "relieved" police had made an arrest.

"Charlie O'Fallon was a dedicated, hard-working, honest, law-abiding and upholding citizen. He was a family man and an outstanding prosecutor who successfully locked away violent criminals for years. He was a huge part of this office, and a huge part of this community. He is deeply missed and I am overjoyed that police have made an arrest in his homicide case. Justice must be served for Charlie," Whailer said.

Acting Attorney General Joel Oelselbach also spoke to the press following the announcement.

"Today, two violent criminals were apprehended, and they are beginning their long journey through the justice system, as we seek justice for Charlie O'Fallon."

"I didn't know Charlie personally, but I'm told that he was a devoted attorney, husband and father, who cared deeply about his work and his family. He was taken from this life far too soon in an incredibly heinous way, and those responsible for this reprehensible act of violence will be prosecuted to the fullest of the law," Oelselbach said.

The two suspects will face a magistrate Monday.

Crown Police declined to release details about the female suspect they are still seeking, but said a third arrest is coming soon.

An O'Fallon family spokesman said the family is also relieved to hear of the arrests.

"They've been living in fear for the past two years, so now they can live in peace again," family friend Brett Maiers said. "There is still a huge hole gaping in their lives with the loss of Charlie, but this is one step closer to closing an awful chapter in their lives and moving on."

Figaori outraises Glow in third quarter

GRASSADELLIA FALLS, Armana--In one of the country's premier Senate races this election cycle, the incumbent Conservative senator finds himself being out-fundraised by his NAT challenger.

New financial disclosure reports filed with the Grassadellian Electoral Commission (GEC) show Sen. Dana Glow raised just under $1 million, while his NAT challenger, Assemblyman Serap Figaori (N-Whitbread) raised over $1.3 million.

Figaori (pronounced "Fi-gar-ree"), who represents a seat in northern Armana, is seeking to oust the one-term Glow, who has faced bipartisan praise for his leadership on the Senate Finance Committee.

Conservatives are pulling out all stops to help Glow retain his seat, as party leaders fear his defeat would be seen as a rejection of the party's finance and taxation plans.

While Glow's campaign raised just under $1 million, outside groups have spent more than $6 million in the last three months. Figaori also has substantial outside support, with independent groups spending more than $3 million on his behalf in recent months.

Dulkalow University Professor Dr. Kerry Rudgley, who chairs the university's Edinough School of Government, ranks this race as a "toss-up."

De Beers, Coriano square off on election

MAVOCKE--Two female senators, hailing from opposite corners of the country, and both rising stars in their parties, squared off this morning about the forthcoming election on the GBC's Sunday Tea.

Sens. Cathy De Beers (C-Monomi) and Karen Coriano (N-Carova) took the opportunity to talk up their respective party's advantages in the election.

"When you look at the poll numbers in virtually every state, we are leading, independent voters are breaking for the NAT by a 2-1 margin. I think the Nationalist Party is in for an astounding victory this election," Coriano said.

"Voters are finally getting a clue...that the Conservative Party has failed to deliver on any of its promises, and electing a Conservative majority in the bodies is not going to move our country forward, it's going to drag our country backwards," Coriano said.

De Beers acknowledged her Conservative Party is facing difficult poll numbers, but pointed out that strong Conservative candidates and special elections are helping the CNS minimize the damage.

"We are facing tough poll numbers in certain states and electorates, there's no doubt about that. But we have some strong incumbents across this country that are putting up a real fight. People like Greg Baxter and Dana Glow and Nancy Lindselli. And we have strong challengers too, like Luke Gymbal, Dan Wainwright, Adam Lanman, etc."

Special elections in North Ceona and South Ceona are also likely to favor the CNS in the Senate races, De Beers claimed.

Special elections in Marchenay, POG and Onakiah, however, favor the NAT.
 
Host Allison Gerlach pressed De Beers on projections that the Senate will fall into NAT hands.

"Your party may be favored in the Ceonas, but what about these other three states where they are actually unlikely to pick up very many seats? Isn't that disconcerting to you at all?" Gerlach asked.

"You know Allison, we can sit here and speculate all we want. But the only numbers that actually matter are those that come in on Election day," De Beers said.

Wellington bucks national trend

BELSHIAD, Wellington--While Nationalists are riding a nation-wide wave of anti-Conservative sentiment this election season, in the state of Wellington, it's the NAT that's on the defensive.

Nationalists are still favored in many Wellington Assembly races. But two of the state's most prominent Nationalists are up for re-election, and facing an increasingly uphill battle.

Sens. Chris DeCarro and Nadan Saralo are both up asking voters to return them to Mavocke this year, and both are facing insurgent CNS opponents.

DeCarro, will face a rematch with Rep. Joe Wilsey of Claremonte-White Pines, whom DeCarro defeated narrowly in 2008's special election.

Saralo will face two-time Senate candidate Rep. Sally Haverstein, who represents the electorate of Dempsey-Meeshaw, south of Starksmin.

DeCarro is defending a centre-left record, one that is out of step with his three other colleagues in Wellington's Senate delegation.

Saralo has a moderate voting record, but currently serves as Assistant Majority Leader, and that makes him vulnerable to attacks from Conservatives, who have sought to tie him to Majority Leader John Morandi (N-Lial) and other NAT leaders.

Both DeCarro and Saralo won by narrow margins in 2010. Both received strong support in urban Starksmin, Lunden Plains, and the regional city of Henrietta in the foothills of the Upscotch Mountains.

But Wellington, in general, is a Conservative-leaning state. And many voters in the prairie state are unhappy with President Brenton Menuhaeo, and NAT leaders in the Senate and Assembly.

Wilsey and Haverstein sense the opportunity, and say they are seeing anger building on the campaign trail.

"Every day when I talk to people across this state, they tell me they are not happy with Brenton Menuhaeo, and they're not happy with the bickering and partisanship that's coming from Nadan Saralo and Chris DeCarro," Wilsey told the NPF.

Haverstein says constituents want genuine conservatives in office who will help boost economic growth through tax cuts and reducing the debt.

"The economy is the number one issue right now for folks across Wellington, and unfortunately, all we've seen from people like Nadan Saralo and John Morandi and Brenton Menuhaeo is more taxes, more borrowing, more debt, more unemployment, less jobs. It's very frustrating to people in this state who just want to be able to make a decent living."

While momentum may be building for the two CNS Senate candidates, Nationalists haven't been easily defeated in Wellington in recent years.

In 2010, NAT Gov. Pierre Carten survived a hard-fought and expensive race against Conservative Craig Thoyer.

And also in 2010, Haverstein initially won a three-way race against Nationalist Paul Leitcher and Independent Bill Kintelli, but ultimately lost against Leitcher in a run-off election.

The Nationalists' unusual record of surviving close elections may prove to be Haverstein's third strike. This is her third bid for the Senate in four years.

Undoubtedly, voters know her name. But some question if voters may be tired of her campaigning.

"It's clear from the last four years that Sally Haverstein is more interested in being elected to the Senate than anything else," Saralo said in a recent interview with the Mavocke Capitol newspaper.

"If getting elected is that important to her, that she would spend millions of dollars and try over and over and over again, then she may very well win this election. That is real persistence, some might say. I prefer to call it an obsession," said Saralo.

DeCarro is also hitting Wilsey for his ultra-conservative views on social issues, and for what DeCarro calls Wilsey's divisive and partisan nature.

"If you ask someone to name a Conservative that is dividing this country, one of the first names they come up with is Joe Wilsey," DeCarro said. "He has pushed wedge issues to the forefront just to earn some attention and notoriety, and to demonize his political opponents. And that's not what Wellington is about."

The most recent polls showed both races neck-and-neck. But polling has been sparse this year in Wellington, so most political experts are hesitant to predict the outcome of the races.

One thing is for sure, though. Both races will be expensive and highly contentious. The DeCarro-Wilsey campaigns have raised a combined $14 million, and the Saralo-Haverstein campaigns have raised about $11 million. Outside groups have spent about $13 million on both races.

Latzo seeks political comeback

PORT BAY, Carova--He fell from office in disgrace, but former Carova Lt. Gov. Carson Latzo (N) is seeking a political comeback.

Latzo left office in 2010, after he and Gov. Dan McCrae were trounced at the polls when they were defeated by Conservatives Sam Byelle and Dave Emser by a 62%-38% margin.

Their defeat was largely attributed to a scandal hanging over then-Lieutenant Governor Latzo, who was accused of drunken driving in September 2008.

The allegations were never proved, but stemmed from a traffic stop in Lichmond County. Latzo had attended a dinner party in Lorenzi and was driving back to his home in Carova City, a three and a half hour drive, when he was pulled over in eastern Lichmond County.

The officer who made the stop allegedly believed Latzo to be drunk, but was uncomfortable arresting him because of his high-ranking status. The officer reportedly phoned his superior officer, who advised him not to arrest Latzo, but instead transport him back to Carova City privately and tow his vehicle.

When the story became public, Latzo acknowledged the traffic stop, but denied being drunk.

Complicating matters further, the Lichmond County Sheriff's Department lost the breathalyzer test results and the dash-cam video data from the officer's patrol car.

That resulted in Lichmond County District Attorney Beth Mandley declining to file charges against Latzo, citing a lack of evidence.

Latzo later faced a state ethics investigation, which found he had used "poor judgement." He was not punished, however, and faced no sanctions.

Still, he has had a cloud of suspicion hanging over him since the incident. And now he's seeking a political comeback, because he says his work in public service is not over yet.

"I'm running because I still have a passion to serve people, and there is so much that needs to be done in this country," he told the Lorenzi Hill.

And what about the drunken-driving scandal that has plagued him for the past four years?

"First of all, I was never indicted by the D.A.; secondly, I admitted that I used poor judgement and should probably have handled that situation differently. But I don't think the people of Carova are going to let one little blip on my otherwise perfect record overshadow my years of service and all the good things I have done for this state. I'm not ready to stop giving myself and my talents to help make the state of Carova better off," he said.

Latzo is vying for the Assembly seat of Desmond, a heavily NAT district which encompasses inner-city Carlingford.

He earlier mulled challenging Conservative MP Aaron Hallings, who has served in the Assembly representing the Port Bay area for six years, but Latzo has now moved electorates after redistricting.

State and national NAT party leaders have been hesitant to support Latzo, but a key NAT consultant says party leaders will back him if he wins, which he is all but certain to do.

"Once he wins and takes office, the party will most certainly back him," Derek Vance told the Lorenzi Hill.

Latzo will face token opposition from Conservative Pauline Oberdar, who has little money and support from outside Carlingford.

Latzo has raised just $730,000, but has been door-belling for a month straight.

"I've been door-belling every day for a month now. Trying to reach the voters and get them to see that I am a real person who is passionate about my community and serving."

New poll has Wainwright leading with plurality

OLIVER, Carova--One of the nation's premier Senate races is shaping up to be a tight competition to the very end.

Incumbent Sen. Julie Wynmyer (DR), is facing a difficult fight for re-election against NAT environmentalist Becki Salmon and former Conservative Sen. Dan Wainwright.

A North Star/Carova Statesman poll released last week showed Wainwright leading with 39%, followed by Salmon with 31% and Wynmyer with 30 percent.

But a new poll released today by The Outlander, Oliver's daily newspaper, has Wainwright securing the 40% necessary to avoid a run-off election.

The poll shows Wainwright leading with 41%, followed by Wynmyer with 33%, and Salmon with 27 percent.

The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 4 points.

It's evidence this race could be among the closest of this election cycle.

All three political parties have spent millions of dollars on the three-way race, with Conservatives having spent $4.7 million on Wainwright's behalf, and Nationalist and Democratic-Reformists jointly spending $5.3 million for Wynmyer.

Salmon's candidacy has not been sanctioned by the national NAT party leadership, who are instead backing Wynmyer in exchange for her agreement to caucus with the NAT in the Senate.

The same Outlander poll found Dan McGregor (N) leading incumbent interim Attorney General Jeff Littleton (C) by a margin of 56% to 44 percent.

The two are competing to fill the remaining two years of former AG and current Senate candidate Dan Wainwright's term.

Littleton's defeat would be a blow to Conservatives, especially CNS Gov. Sam Byelle, who appointed Littleton to the position following Wainwright's election to the Senate in 2011.

It's possible the Conservative Party may gain a federal senator, but lose the attorney general's seat.

But the fate of the candidates will ultimately be decided by the voters on election day.