GRASSADELLIA CITY--Coming off the heels of a massive pro-NAT wave, the Nationalist party has swept elections in the nation's most populous state.
Nationalists won both Federal Senate seats up for grabs, and won every statewide race.
In the Senate races, incumbent Sen. Alyssa Jones (C) lost her seat to MP Deborah Kay, who represented the seat of Broadsword in north central Damoign. Kay garnered 44.5% to Jones' 39%, while Democratic-Reformist Marjorie Hinds received 7% and Independent Joe Schwartz received 9%, respectively.
Conservative-turned-Nationalist-turned-Independent Sen. Brian Altamont overwhelmingly lost his re-election bid, receiving a measly 12% of the vote. Former Sen. Debbie Madronas (N) ended up the victor, taking 44%, while Democratic-Reformist MP Jessica Blaine of Lacarthy received just over 42%.
Blaine was endorsed by Gov. Sid Hoffa (C), and was supported by the state CNS party, which did not field a candidate in the race.
In state executive races, Attorney General Rod Penora clinched the governorship, edging out Lt. Gov. Mercer Diego (C) by two percentage points, or 175,000 votes.
Jeff Zeme easily won the lieutenant governorship, winning a three-way race with 54%. Conservative Dennis Musa earned 33% and Constitution party candidate Michel Dillon finished with 13%.
Jenna Duvan handily won the Attorney General seat, defeating Conservative Charles Lawson, an MP from the electorate of Oltlaw, by a 55%-45% margin.
And Secretary of State Rob Mercheck (N) trounced his CNS opponent, Brian Calideau, 60%-40%.
Perhaps the closest-watched race was the governor's race, where both parties spent tens of millions of dollars each.
Despite his strongly conservative views on social issues, former Evangelical pastor-turned-Lieutenant Governor Mercer Diego came close to winning, and was neck-and-neck with Penora in polls during the final days of the race.
"We came up short," Diego said at his election celebration in his hometown of Mattinow. "But life is about more than winning an election. I'm not sure what the future holds, but I know who holds my future," he said, pointing heavenward. "And I know life will go on, and God will find something else for me to do," Diego said to applause.
Penora, who often basks in media attention, was reveling in the spotlight at his campaign celebration in his native Grassadellia City.
"Tonight marks a moment in history, where we move Damoign forward, away from the failed policies of Sid Hoffa and the Conservatives that have been running this state," Penora said.
He highlighted education, health care, and the environment as top causes he would champion.
Many prominent Damoign politicians, including Federal Secretary of State and former Damoign Governor Jim McCaren and Sen. Shay Robertson, were seen at Penora's campaign party, which was held at Eliam Hall in Penora's hometown of Kentwick.
Senators-elect Debbie Madronas and Deborah Kay had their fair share of NAT star power at their election night rally in Rodditch, on Damoign's central coast.
Sen. Jean Chaveau was on-hand to speak at their celebration, and Sen. John Yannes of Onakiah, who headed the NAT's Senate campaign strategy, appeared via Skype.
"I'd like to say to Deborah Kay, welcome to the Senate, and to Debbie Madronas, welcome back!" an enthused Chaveau said to cheers.
"We women are going to move mountains in Mavocke," Chaveau cheered. "We are going to get things done in a big way for Damoign."
Kay spoke to supporters, saying she was honored to be elected, and her election would usher in a "new era" of women-led politics in Mavocke. Madronas also spoke, thanking supporters for sending her back to the Senate, after she was removed following the Senate Reduction Lottery of 2011.
"I was booted out of office by the Reduction Lottery, but now I'm going back, thanks to you," she said, smiling.
Back in Kentwick, on the borough's north side, Sen. Alyssa Jones was brought to tears during her concession speech.
"This has been a long haul and a heck of a campaign," she said to disappointed supporters. "It didn't end the way we hoped, but three things I want to say and if you hear anything I say tonight, I hope it's this: first of all, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of you for your heartfelt support and the long, grueling hours you put into this campaign, and the money, and the tireless efforts. I know we didn't win, but let me assure you, your work was not done in vain."
"We fought for truth and justice, and for common sense principles that our nation so desperately needs right now. Unfortunately, the voters didn't see it the same way. But, we will continue to advance our agenda. We will continue to fight. We will get back up and dust ourselves off and get back in the ring, because the battle is not over," Jones said.
"Second, I want to say what an honor it has been to serve you, the people of Damoign. I have had the time of my life working in Mavocke, and working for the people of this beautiful state. And I am so appreciative that you have given me the honor of serving you."
"And thirdly, I want to say thank you to my wonderful family. To my husband Darren, who has been my rock. To our beautiful children, who have been my strength and have given me a reason to smile, even in the most difficult and stressful times. And thank you to my church family and my extended political family, to the people all across this country who were rooting for me and who have lifted me up in prayer throughout this campaign. Thank you so much."
"I don't know what's in store next for me. I'm kind of in the same boat as my good friend and brother in Christ, Mercer Diego. We're both looking for a new job come January," she said laughing. "But I do know that God always has a plan. He makes all things work together for good for those who love Him. And losing an election is not the end of the world. I know and trust that God has something greater in mind for me. I'm not sure what that is yet, but I trust in his sovereign plan."
MP Jessica Blaine, who was hoping to win the Senate seat held by Altamont, conceded to Madronas, and thanked her supporters, including Gov. Hoffa, and left open the possibility of running for higher office again in the future.
"Thanks to everyone who came out in force today and in the previous weeks to support my campaign. I am deeply honored and humbled, and while this was not the outcome we hoped for, I will continue to fight for the state of Damoign in the future. I walk away knowing that I gave it my all, and that sometimes, the most disappointing defeats help prepare the way for future victories," she said.
Hoffa, who had enthusiastically campaigned for Diego, Jones, and Blaine, released a statement to the NPF, saying he was disappointed none of the candidates he backed won, but that his confidence in them was not gone.
"Elections come and go. Momentum shifts from party to party, candidates get elected and then lose. I know Mercer and Alyssa and Jessica. They are all wonderful people and they are all wonderful public servants. This election did not go their way, but my confidence in them, as political leaders and viable candidates, and more importantly, as people, has not gone away. I still believe they have a political future, any of them, if they so choose. But I will always consider them a friend, and I look forward to what the future holds in store for each of them," Hoffa said.
Perhaps the most stunning defeat of the night was incumbent Independent Sen. Brian Altamont, who barely broke into double-digit percentage points.
His rapid political fall stemmed largely from his party-switching from Conservative to Nationalist and finally to Independent.
"I guess I just upset too many people in both parties," Altamont told a reporter on election night.
"But I'm proud of my service, proud of the job I did, and proud of being an independent voice for Damoign. That's something that few people in the Senate can say," Altamont said.
Of his crushing defeat and his meager 12% that he earned, Altamont had this to say:
"Some people may judge me by how few of votes I may have gotten. But most people, and I think history, will judge me for the work I did and the independence I showed while serving."
Altamont left open the possibility of running for office again in the future, saying he is considering running for mayor of Grassadellia City in the 2013 election.
Nationalists won both Federal Senate seats up for grabs, and won every statewide race.
In the Senate races, incumbent Sen. Alyssa Jones (C) lost her seat to MP Deborah Kay, who represented the seat of Broadsword in north central Damoign. Kay garnered 44.5% to Jones' 39%, while Democratic-Reformist Marjorie Hinds received 7% and Independent Joe Schwartz received 9%, respectively.
Conservative-turned-Nationalist-turned-Independent Sen. Brian Altamont overwhelmingly lost his re-election bid, receiving a measly 12% of the vote. Former Sen. Debbie Madronas (N) ended up the victor, taking 44%, while Democratic-Reformist MP Jessica Blaine of Lacarthy received just over 42%.
Blaine was endorsed by Gov. Sid Hoffa (C), and was supported by the state CNS party, which did not field a candidate in the race.
In state executive races, Attorney General Rod Penora clinched the governorship, edging out Lt. Gov. Mercer Diego (C) by two percentage points, or 175,000 votes.
Jeff Zeme easily won the lieutenant governorship, winning a three-way race with 54%. Conservative Dennis Musa earned 33% and Constitution party candidate Michel Dillon finished with 13%.
Jenna Duvan handily won the Attorney General seat, defeating Conservative Charles Lawson, an MP from the electorate of Oltlaw, by a 55%-45% margin.
And Secretary of State Rob Mercheck (N) trounced his CNS opponent, Brian Calideau, 60%-40%.
Perhaps the closest-watched race was the governor's race, where both parties spent tens of millions of dollars each.
Despite his strongly conservative views on social issues, former Evangelical pastor-turned-Lieutenant Governor Mercer Diego came close to winning, and was neck-and-neck with Penora in polls during the final days of the race.
"We came up short," Diego said at his election celebration in his hometown of Mattinow. "But life is about more than winning an election. I'm not sure what the future holds, but I know who holds my future," he said, pointing heavenward. "And I know life will go on, and God will find something else for me to do," Diego said to applause.
Penora, who often basks in media attention, was reveling in the spotlight at his campaign celebration in his native Grassadellia City.
"Tonight marks a moment in history, where we move Damoign forward, away from the failed policies of Sid Hoffa and the Conservatives that have been running this state," Penora said.
He highlighted education, health care, and the environment as top causes he would champion.
Many prominent Damoign politicians, including Federal Secretary of State and former Damoign Governor Jim McCaren and Sen. Shay Robertson, were seen at Penora's campaign party, which was held at Eliam Hall in Penora's hometown of Kentwick.
Senators-elect Debbie Madronas and Deborah Kay had their fair share of NAT star power at their election night rally in Rodditch, on Damoign's central coast.
Sen. Jean Chaveau was on-hand to speak at their celebration, and Sen. John Yannes of Onakiah, who headed the NAT's Senate campaign strategy, appeared via Skype.
"I'd like to say to Deborah Kay, welcome to the Senate, and to Debbie Madronas, welcome back!" an enthused Chaveau said to cheers.
"We women are going to move mountains in Mavocke," Chaveau cheered. "We are going to get things done in a big way for Damoign."
Kay spoke to supporters, saying she was honored to be elected, and her election would usher in a "new era" of women-led politics in Mavocke. Madronas also spoke, thanking supporters for sending her back to the Senate, after she was removed following the Senate Reduction Lottery of 2011.
"I was booted out of office by the Reduction Lottery, but now I'm going back, thanks to you," she said, smiling.
Back in Kentwick, on the borough's north side, Sen. Alyssa Jones was brought to tears during her concession speech.
"This has been a long haul and a heck of a campaign," she said to disappointed supporters. "It didn't end the way we hoped, but three things I want to say and if you hear anything I say tonight, I hope it's this: first of all, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of you for your heartfelt support and the long, grueling hours you put into this campaign, and the money, and the tireless efforts. I know we didn't win, but let me assure you, your work was not done in vain."
"We fought for truth and justice, and for common sense principles that our nation so desperately needs right now. Unfortunately, the voters didn't see it the same way. But, we will continue to advance our agenda. We will continue to fight. We will get back up and dust ourselves off and get back in the ring, because the battle is not over," Jones said.
"Second, I want to say what an honor it has been to serve you, the people of Damoign. I have had the time of my life working in Mavocke, and working for the people of this beautiful state. And I am so appreciative that you have given me the honor of serving you."
"And thirdly, I want to say thank you to my wonderful family. To my husband Darren, who has been my rock. To our beautiful children, who have been my strength and have given me a reason to smile, even in the most difficult and stressful times. And thank you to my church family and my extended political family, to the people all across this country who were rooting for me and who have lifted me up in prayer throughout this campaign. Thank you so much."
"I don't know what's in store next for me. I'm kind of in the same boat as my good friend and brother in Christ, Mercer Diego. We're both looking for a new job come January," she said laughing. "But I do know that God always has a plan. He makes all things work together for good for those who love Him. And losing an election is not the end of the world. I know and trust that God has something greater in mind for me. I'm not sure what that is yet, but I trust in his sovereign plan."
MP Jessica Blaine, who was hoping to win the Senate seat held by Altamont, conceded to Madronas, and thanked her supporters, including Gov. Hoffa, and left open the possibility of running for higher office again in the future.
"Thanks to everyone who came out in force today and in the previous weeks to support my campaign. I am deeply honored and humbled, and while this was not the outcome we hoped for, I will continue to fight for the state of Damoign in the future. I walk away knowing that I gave it my all, and that sometimes, the most disappointing defeats help prepare the way for future victories," she said.
Hoffa, who had enthusiastically campaigned for Diego, Jones, and Blaine, released a statement to the NPF, saying he was disappointed none of the candidates he backed won, but that his confidence in them was not gone.
"Elections come and go. Momentum shifts from party to party, candidates get elected and then lose. I know Mercer and Alyssa and Jessica. They are all wonderful people and they are all wonderful public servants. This election did not go their way, but my confidence in them, as political leaders and viable candidates, and more importantly, as people, has not gone away. I still believe they have a political future, any of them, if they so choose. But I will always consider them a friend, and I look forward to what the future holds in store for each of them," Hoffa said.
Perhaps the most stunning defeat of the night was incumbent Independent Sen. Brian Altamont, who barely broke into double-digit percentage points.
His rapid political fall stemmed largely from his party-switching from Conservative to Nationalist and finally to Independent.
"I guess I just upset too many people in both parties," Altamont told a reporter on election night.
"But I'm proud of my service, proud of the job I did, and proud of being an independent voice for Damoign. That's something that few people in the Senate can say," Altamont said.
Of his crushing defeat and his meager 12% that he earned, Altamont had this to say:
"Some people may judge me by how few of votes I may have gotten. But most people, and I think history, will judge me for the work I did and the independence I showed while serving."
Altamont left open the possibility of running for office again in the future, saying he is considering running for mayor of Grassadellia City in the 2013 election.
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