Both parties gear up for 2014 showdown in Carova

BARRIEY BARRIEY, Carova--It could be bad news or good news for Conservatives, depending on how you look at it.

Assemblyman Don Cargialachi (pronounced "Car-gee-uh-lock-ee"), a Conservative from Barriey-Barriey in northwestern Carova, took himself off the list of potential CNS Senate candidates in the 2014 election.

The party is seeking to make up lost ground after inflicting heavy casualties and losses in the 2012 Senate elections, which saw Nationalists take a commanding 53-36 majority in the upper chamber, after years of Conservative dominance, and in recent years, a closely-split body.

At an impromptu press conference in the halls outside the Assembly chambers, Cargialachi told members of the Carova press corps he will not run for the Senate in 2014.

"I have no intentions of seeking either of the two Senate seats," he said. "I'm focused on retaining the seat of Barriey Barriey-North Brushland in the Assembly."

His announcement brought dismay to some Conservatives, who saw the two-term assemblyman as a potentially strong challenger to incumbent Sens. Karen Coriano (N) and Ann Kocheni (N), who are both up for re-election in 2014.

But Cargialachi's decision also clears the way for other Conservatives who are seeking to run, and his withdrawal may benefit the CNS, by avoiding an expensive and divisive primary campaign.

No candidates have officially jumped into either race yet, though many are said to be considering running.

Despite eagerness on the CNS side, both Coriano and Kocheni are seen as formidable incumbents that will be hard to defeat.

However, Conservative insiders believe one or both senators could be defeated, if the CNS finds a viable candidate.

"Both of them, potentially, are vulnerable," one CNS source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told GNN. "If we get the right guy in there, and we raise enough money, it's possible. This election is going to be in the Conservatives' favor. The Nationalists will be on the defensive."

Indeed the NAT will be on the defensive, as 18 of the 29 Senate seats up for grabs in 2014 belong to the NAT.

It will be almost impossible for the CNS to re-take the majority in the 2014 election. In fact, most political experts predict the party will make just modest gains.

But some of the party's top thinkers are hopeful Conservatives can defeat at least one of Carova's female senators in the mid-term elections.

The CNS bench is deep with potential candidates, most notably Assemblyman Sawyer Upton, who holds the seat of Bridgemont in northwest Lorenzi; and Assemblyman Piper Alleby, who represents the electorate of Gerrison, which encompasses all of Oliver and most of the far eastern part of the state.

Upton is a Holden-educated lawyer, who has a moderate voting record and is close to the party's establishment. The seat of Bridgemont leans conservative but can be competitive.

Alleby studied at Deedrick University, is a gifted orator and lawyer by trade, and is more outspoken and media-savvy than his quieter colleague from the other end of the state.

Not surprisingly, since Gerrison is a staunchly red district, Alleby is more conservative than the centrist Upton.

The two assemblymen are starkly different, even if from the same party. One is reserved and intuitive, the other is more combative and relishes the limelight.

But both have strong resumes and conservative (enough) credentials in a state that leans to the CNS, but has trended more blue in recent years.

Kocheni is seen as the safer of the two incumbent senators, as she has struck a bipartisan tone and worked across party lines while in Mavocke.

Coriano is a champion of the liberal movement, and is beloved by progressives. She is well-known for her frequent media appearances, in which she often trashes the Conservative party mercilessly.

But Conservatives say her election in 2008 was a fluke, and her ultra-liberal voting record is out-of-sync with a conservative state like Carova.

"Karen Coriano belongs in a state like Lial or Trinton -- state's where liberals dominate -- because she is a very liberal, a very partisan person," CNS party strategist Simon Leon told GNN. "She is two things that Carova isn't: a left-wing liberal and an angry partisan."

Nationalists defend Coriano, however, saying she may be antagonistic toward the Conservative party, but she's still relatively centrist.

"Karen Coriano is a frequent target of the CNS because she is all over the media, and she calls the Conservatives out on their lies and half-truths. Because of her high profile and the absence of fear she has to confront the Conservative party, she has become a big target. But that does not make her a left-wing partisan. She has a high profile, but her voting record is much more mainstream than the Conservatives would have you believe," Diana Slade, a liberal radio host from Lorenzi's 930 AM told the Lorenzi Hill.

Slade points to Coriano's backing of middle-class tax cuts, her support of Gov. Sam Byelle's (C) transportation plan, and her vote in favor of limited off-shore drilling.

Conservatives are unfazed. They see Coriano as a bitter partisan that is too liberal for Carova.

In Kocheni, they see the opposite.

"Ann Kocheni is a nice person, but what has she done for Carova? Can you name one thing she has done, one issue she has championed while in Mavocke? She mostly has just co-sponsored legislation and signed onto other members' bills. She has never taken the lead on any issue," said Leon. "Carovans want a conservative voice in Mavocke, and they want someone who will stand up for our state and work hard, on the front lines, to defend and protect our freedoms and interests."

Conservatives' brightest hopes rest on Alleby and Upton, but other candidates could emerge as well.

Assemblywoman Donna Creilo, who represents the central coast seat of Seaside and the Moors, could run. Former Assemblymen Aaron Hallings and Jim Calisto could also make a bid.

Lt. Gov. Dave Emser is also said to be mulling a run, according to sources close to the situation.

Assemblyman Tyler Dodd of Townsend could make a second attempt at the Senate, after having lost in 2008 in a three-way race to Kocheni and Conservative-turned-Independent Sen. Lee Schefsky.

But Dodd is heavily rumored to be the next chairman of the National Conservative Party.

And then there is the possibility of other candidates who have yet to emerge. The 2014 elections are still more than 15 months away. Any candidate could crop up in that amount of time.

Two things are for certain, though: Conservatives are angered that Nationalists hold three of four Senate seats in a state that leans Conservative. And Nationalists, thought they may be on the defense in 2014, will not give up easily. The NAT is still favored in both Carova Senate races.

"We are expecting both of these races to be long, drawn out, expensive, bitter, nasty battles," state NAT party Chairman Jim Pauldon told the Lorenzi Hill. "We are prepared for the worst and committed to fight it out to the very end."

Duschowitz on Bartholomew: 'Told you so'

FERRISTON, Biereland--Former Biereland Gov. Jenny Duschowitz (C) dished on her successor and one-time rival, Nationalist incumbent Gov. San Bartholomew, in a recent interview.

Duschowitz, who was defeated by Bartholomew in the 2010 election, sat down for an interview with the Ferriston Harbinger, and discussed her failed re-election bid and life outside of politics.

Most interestingly though, Duschowitz unloaded on Bartholomew, saying he promised new economic growth and has failed to deliver.

"He crucified me in the press; on the campaign trail, for a stagnant economy. And look where we are now? The economy has not improved, businesses are not growing, citizens are being taxed more. We have gone in the wrong direction. San Bartholomew has made the economy worse in Biereland," said Duschowitz.

She also took Bartholomew to task for "pushing," first, medical marijuana on Bierelanders, and now pushing legalizing marijuana altogether.

"Nobody wanted to legalize marijuana. The opinion polls showed that. But San Bartholomew and his small circle of radical, left-wing advisors, decided to side with a fringe group of pro-marijuana supporters and legalize medical marijuana, and now they are supporting the legalization of marijuana for everyone."

Even worse than legalizing marijuana is Bartholomew's recent attempts at gun control.

"If there's one thing in the state of Biereland that people hold sacred, it's their right to own a firearm. And San Bartholomew in the last month has introduced legislation that would scale back gun rights and prohibit law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves."

The gun legislation Duschowitz referenced is still pending in the legislature, and would not revoked gun rights out-right, but would allow cities to ban concealed firearms at city parks.

Bartholomew favored a gun-ban at parks while he served as an Otterbein County commissioner prior to the governorship.

"Between his attempt to take away gun rights in this state, legalizing marijuana, pushing the legalization of gay marriage in Biereland, the radical environmental legislation that he has brought into office that is hurting our timber industry, and his failure to improve the economy or tackle the budget issue, I think Bierelanders are ready to throw him out of office the way he threw me out," Duschowitz said.

"I hate to say it, but I told you so. During the 2010 election, I went around the state, campaigning, telling people, 'this is what San Bartholomew will do if he's elected. This is what he says he'll do, but this is what he's actually going to do if he's elected.' And some people listened, but a lot of people, a lot of newspapers and people in the media, and a lot of voters did not listen to me and got behind San and supported his candidacy. They were thrilled when he won. But now after almost three years, I think people are realizing: we did not get what we bargained for. We got sold a magic bag of air. We didn't get a better economy, and we didn't get any helpful legislation. All we've gotten is San Bartholomew's and the Nationalist Party's radical agenda forced upon us."

"It's starting to dawn on people."

As for the election, Duschowitz says she was disappointed she lost, but is "over it."

"Of course you're disappointed. It's never easy to lose. And it's especially difficult to lose and then see what's happening now in our state capitol. Very frustrating. But I'm over it. I'm enjoying my time as a mom, enjoying staying home with my kids and having fun with my family. I am enjoying working in the private sector. It is an adjustment, but it is nice."

About a return to politics?

"Not in the near future, no. I never say 'never,' because I know I might very well get the urge to dive back in. But for right now, I'm not inclined to run for anything. I am still involved, supporting candidates for office, specifically Ben Jordan for governor and my friend Brad Bearns for Senate. I also have been traveling around the country endorsing people and supporting conservative candidates that I think will bring about positive change for our country. But as for running for office, maybe down the road but not right now."

In a tongue-in-cheek response to Duschowitz's interview, San Bartholomew's campaign took to Twitter, saying, "Who's Jenny Duschowitz?"

Biereland Supreme Court ruling changes election process

BROOKINGS--In a stunning ruling Tuesday, the Biereland Supreme Court overturned a key law that governs the election of the state's governor and lieutenant governor.

In a 5-4 ruling, the court said a key statute in the state's constitution had been misinterpreted by the legislature and the Secretary of State's office.

The constitutional clause in question states "the governor and lieutenant governor shall be dually elected to separate and independent offices by the people of Biereland for a term of precisely four years, beginning on the last Monday of the month of January of the succeeding year."

Over the years, state legislators and elections officials have interpreted the law to mean that the governor and lieutenant governor should be elected separately and independently of each other.

Under that system, the governor and lieutenant governor could hail from separate parties, as was the case from 2008-2010, when Gov. Jenny Duschowitz (C) and Lt. Gov. Ashton Downs (N) served together.

But in Tuesday's ruling, the court said the law has been misinterpreted, and that the phrase "dually elected" requires that the governor and lieutenant governor be elected on the same ticket, meaning a vote for one candidate would be a vote for both.

"The clause in question is vague, but we hold that the governor and lieutenant governor should, according to the Constitution of the State of Biereland, be elected together, on the same ticket. The two candidates for the respective offices shall campaign together and be elected jointly."

The court's ruling also mandates that the changes to the election law be in effect in time for the 2014 statewide election.

But the court also handed back the issue to the state legislature for clarification.

"This clause is unreasonably vague, and clarification by the legislature is necessary," Chief Justice Bill Wilkerson wrote for the majority.

Specifically, the legislature must clarify how the lieutenant governor shall be chosen.

One option is to let each party's gubernatorial nominee choose a running mate to run with them in the general election. That means the candidates for lieutenant governor would essentially be selected by each parties' candidate for governor.

Another option is to allow voters to choose a lieutenant governor candidate in a primary election, and then have the gubernatorial nominee and the lieutenant governor nominee run on the same ticket. This option would allow primary voters to have a say in the lieutenant governor choices.

A third method would allow voters to select a nominee for governor, and then have party activists elect a candidate for lieutenant governor during a closed-voting session at each political party's state conventions.

The court remanded the issue back to the legislature, and set a deadline for September 31, 2013.

The justices also suggested the legislature put the issue to a popular vote in the 2014 elections.

"It might be wise of the legislature to submit this issue to the voters in the coming mid-term election, to allow them to have a say in how they elect their governor and lieutenant governor," Wilkerson wrote.

The court's ruling means Biereland will become the tenth "ticket state," where governors and lieutenant governors are elected on the same ticket.

Many opposed the court's decision, however.

In dissent, Justice Sophia Warren-Diaz said the current system is more favorable because it gives voters choice.

"The system in place allows voters to cross-vote, or split their ticket among the parties,"  wrote Warren-Diaz. "Under the current system, a voter might vote for the Conservative candidate for governor, and vote for the Nationalist candidate for lieutenant governor, or vice-versa. This gives voters more freedom in their vote, and fosters bipartisanship."

"The system the court set in place today restricts the ability of the voter to choose in good faith the candidates they best see fit for each separate office," Warren-Diaz said.

The political parties were largely indifferent to the court's ruling. However, both strongly oppose a system where voters could nominate candidates for both offices in a primary election.

"That type of system places too much power in the hands of the voters," Steven Saul, a Conservative party strategist told the Greene Mountain Press (GMP).

"That system would be disastrous for the political parties, because the voters in the primary election could nominate a more mainstream candidate for governor and also simultaneously nominate a controversial candidate for lieutenant governor, and then the two candidates would be hand-cuffed together and have to run in the general election as a team," said Saul.

Lawyers for the NAT agree.

"We do not support a system where the lieutenant governor and governor are nominated separately and then forced to run together," Paul Kirk, senior counsel for the Biereland NAT party, told the GMP.

Gov. San Bartholomew praised the decision, saying electing a governor and lieutenant governor from the same party would reduce gridlock in the capital.

"The court made a courageous decision today. This decision means that the likelihood of gridlock in Brookings between the governor and lieutenant governor is reduced. Today's ruling reinforces the governor-lieutenant governor relationship that is key to the leadership of our state," Bartholomew said.

The two Conservatives challenging Bartholomew in the 2014 election, Attorney General Ben Jordan and former Federal Senator Bob Kozzy, had mixed opinions.

Jordan said the ruling would create a "stronger relationship" between the governor and lieutenant governor, but said he favored a constitutional amendment initiated by the legislature instead of the court making the decision.

"I support the idea but I don't believe the courts are the proper venue for this issue to be decided," Jordan said.

Kozzy said the issue should be decided by the people, not the courts.

"What we saw today was judicial tyranny," Kozzy said at an evening press conference.

"We saw our state Supreme Court overrule the will of the people, without any consent or input from the voters."

The controversial ruling also throws a wrench into the plans of candidates who were already planning on running for lieutenant governor.

So far, there are two candidates who have already filed papers with the Secretary of State's office to run for lieutenant governor in the 2014 election.

Among them is current Lt. Gov. Gabriel Sanchez (N), who was appointed to the position by Gov. San Bartholomew when former Lt. Gov. Ashton Downs (N) resigned in February.

Sanchez declared soon after assuming the office that he would run for the position in 2014, and it's likely that Gov. San Bartholomew would select Sanchez as his running mate if the legislature amends the law in favor of a running mate scenario.

However, the other candidates, who are already planning on running, may have to halt their campaigns if the legislature formats the law in the running mate style, which is expected.

State Sen. Louise Suthers (N) from Brookings has also filed papers to run for lieutenant governor. But if the law is changed to allow the governor to select a running mate, she will most certainly not be chosen by San Bartholomew, since she is challenging Bartholomew's appointee in the NAT primary.

"If they re-do the law and switch it to a running mate format, then I will definitely not be chosen," Suthers said.

She will continue with her campaign until the issue is settled, however.

All three candidates for governor--Bartholomew and Conservatives Jordan and Kozzy--agree that the question of how Bierelanders elect their governor and lieutenant governor should be handed to the people for a popular vote statewide referendum.

"I do believe the people should have a say in this, and it should be on the ballot in 2014," Bartholomew told reporters during a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

Jordan told the GMP "the voters have a right to weigh in on this issue."

And Kozzy was adamant that the "voice of the people should be sought and heard."

"The courts have no place in this decision. This should be placed before the voters."

In the meantime, the court's decision means the forthcoming 2014 election will use the ticket-style method in electing the governor and lieutenant governor. The specifics of that method will be worked out by the legislature, subject to court approval in September 2013.

And then the issue will likely be put to the voters in 2014, who will either affirm the court's ruling and the legislature's re-tooling, or will strike it down, in which case the matter will then go back to the legislature for further review.

Menuhaeo honors Ramadan at Mavocke ceremony

MAVOCKE--He may be a devout Lutheran, but President Brenton Menuhaeo on Thursday marked the beginning of the Muslim holy month Ramadan in an inner-faith ceremony in the nation's capital.

Speaking before a crowd of predominantly Muslims, but also containing Christians, Jews and members of other faiths, Mr. Menuhaeo offered his thoughts on Ramadan, the holy month celebrated in the Islamic faith.

"Ramadan is a time when Muslim families come together to celebrate their faith, to express their devotion to their faith and to each other, and to strengthen their inner beliefs," Menuhaeo said.

"For non-Muslims, we must remember that Ramadan is a sacred time for our Muslim brothers and sisters. Muslims are our fellow Grassadellians. They are our neighbors, our family members, our friends, coworkers, teachers, doctors, scientists, musicians, writers. All around this country, and beyond our borders, there are hundreds of millions of Muslims who celebrate this sacred time.

"That is the power of our democracy. Though as Grassadellians, we are of many faiths, we have the right and the privilege, as free citizens of this great country, to practice, celebrate, and recognize our faith in the way that we see fit, without oppression or opposition from the state or from our fellow countrymen. Democracy strives in the midst of diversity, and the practice of peaceful Islam has strengthened our country."

The president went on to give his personal wishes to Muslims.

"To all Muslim-Grassadellians who are celebrating Ramadan, I offer my sincere thanks for your contributions to our country, and wish you a month of happiness, refreshing, and a strengthening of your faith and family ties."

The inner-faith ceremony the president spoke at was proof, Menuhaeo said, that different religious communities can thrive in a democracy.

"All of you being here today--this underscores that where there is freedom, faith flourishes. We may all come from different backgrounds and belief systems. But we are united in our belief that all humankind has the unequivocal right to freedom of religion. And we affirm today that though we may come from different walks of life, all faiths are valued in this country, and our nation is better off because of the contributions of all faiths," said Menuhaeo.

Also attending the inner-faith ceremony, which was held at the Kareem Al-Sheik Mosque in central Mavocke, were Bishop Marcus Heydham of the Mavocke Diocese of the Catholic Church, and Rabbi Elkon Kabarki of Mavocke's Shalom Temple.

Islamic leaders from around the country were also in attendance, including Imam Ali Sukar-Mahadi of the Mavocke Islamic Center and Dr. Mohammad Zukar Khalid of the Center for Grassadellian Islamic Studies.

Ramadan began on Monday, July 8, and lasts until August 7.

Golden enters Wellington governor's race

STARKSMIN, Wellington--Another Conservative has thrown his hat into the ring in Wellington's governor's race.

Patent attorney and Royal Air Force veteran Russell E. Golden, 54, will file candidacy papers with the Wellington Secretary of State's office, according to a source close to Mr. Golden.

Golden will join state Sen. Liz McKinn, of Hollam, on the Conservative side.

McKinn announced her candidacy back in April, after her former running mate, Craig Thoyer, declined to run a second time.

McKinn ran for lieutenant governor with Thoyer in 2010. The duo lost to incumbents Pierre Carten and Joe Carlin by a 51%-49% margin.

Unlike McKinn, who has been involved in Wellington politics for years, Golden is a political newcomer. He has never sought public office, and even leading political pundits and top party strategists admit they'd never heard of him until now.

"This guy came out of nowhere. We don't know much about him at this point," Chris Bonnell, a Conservative party consultant, told the Starksmin Frontiersman.

Golden's lack of name recognition means McKinn will have a big edge in the Conservative primary.

However, financial documents obtained by the Frontiersman show Golden has won millions in financial settlements and lawsuits over the years, meaning he could have a large personal fortune to draw upon for campaign funds.

Golden also owns an extensive amount of property, most of it in rural Notting County, about 60 miles southwest of Starksmin. He is also registered to vote in the small town of Bivanna (pop. 2,400), which is also in Notting County.

Little else is known about Golden. The Frontiersman did confirm through legal records searches that he is married and has four grown children. A political donations search also found that he has contributed to Conservative candidates in the past.

The McKinn campaign had no comment when contacted by the Frontiersman.

But party strategist Chris Bonnell says for now, the race is heavily in Liz McKinn's favor.

"She is well-known, well-liked in the party, she has the ability to raise funds, she knows all the donors and party bigwigs. I think she has it sewn up."