NEW CASTLE, Marchenay--Eight Conservative senators gathered secretly over the weekend at a lodge in the mountains of western Marchenay to discuss the upcoming 2014 elections and come up with a strategy that will help their party claw its way back to relevance in the upper chamber.
The eight included the two co-chairs of the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee (CSCC), Biereland Sen. Jhana Schueler and Wilkonshire's John Agnew; and Senate Minority Leader Jay Burns (Deschire) and Assistant Minority Leader Shannon McCann (Kalnier).
The other four were hand-selected by Schueler, Agnew, Burns and McCann.
They include Niles Gilcrest (Ver.), Chuck Danbury (Ara.), Isaak Slooter (Nwp.) and Megan Sellious (March.).
The eight members and their staff met at a large, secluded mountain lodge owned by Sellious' parents.
A spokesperson for Sellious told the National Press Federation that no money was paid to her family for the weekend's event.
All together, about 30 people were at the lodge for the weekend of strategizing.
And all in attendance are being tight-lipped about just what was discussed.
Burns acknowledged the group met to discuss the upcoming campaign, but he would only discuss generalities with the press.
"We did meet to fine-tune our game plan for 2014. We have some areas where we are doing very well in and we are strong in, and obviously we have some areas where we are weaker and more vulnerable. We're looking to shore up those weak spots. But we are confident that we can gain seats in the next election and add to the Conservative caucus," said Burns.
Schueler talked with reporters in passing, while walking down a corridor in the capitol building. The Biereland senator said she was encouraged after this weekend's summit.
"I'm very encouraged about our position going into 2014," she said.
Nationalists have been plotting for 2014 as well.
Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (Lial) told the GBC that his caucus will meet sometime next week to discuss the 2014 campaign, before members leave for the August recess.
Morandi and Assistant Majority Leader Nadan Saralo (Wellington) have also been meeting one-on-one privately with members who are up for re-election in 2014.
The NAT is going into 2014 in a very strong position, having an almost 20-seat advantage over the CNS. It's almost impossible that Conservatives would be able to overturn the NAT's majority. Most analysts believe the CNS will only pick up a handful of seats at best.
But there is some concern in the NAT. At least a few of their own members are vulnerable going into the elections.
At the top of the list are Kalnier Sen. Kallie Murray, Monomi's Nathan Lister and South Ceona Sen. Vic Chambers. All three seats will be prime targets for the CNS.
Conservatives are also targeting the seats of retiring Nationalists Hanna Gorbachy (Monomi) and John Warner-Patterson (Wilkonshire).
The eight included the two co-chairs of the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee (CSCC), Biereland Sen. Jhana Schueler and Wilkonshire's John Agnew; and Senate Minority Leader Jay Burns (Deschire) and Assistant Minority Leader Shannon McCann (Kalnier).
The other four were hand-selected by Schueler, Agnew, Burns and McCann.
They include Niles Gilcrest (Ver.), Chuck Danbury (Ara.), Isaak Slooter (Nwp.) and Megan Sellious (March.).
The eight members and their staff met at a large, secluded mountain lodge owned by Sellious' parents.
A spokesperson for Sellious told the National Press Federation that no money was paid to her family for the weekend's event.
All together, about 30 people were at the lodge for the weekend of strategizing.
And all in attendance are being tight-lipped about just what was discussed.
Burns acknowledged the group met to discuss the upcoming campaign, but he would only discuss generalities with the press.
"We did meet to fine-tune our game plan for 2014. We have some areas where we are doing very well in and we are strong in, and obviously we have some areas where we are weaker and more vulnerable. We're looking to shore up those weak spots. But we are confident that we can gain seats in the next election and add to the Conservative caucus," said Burns.
Schueler talked with reporters in passing, while walking down a corridor in the capitol building. The Biereland senator said she was encouraged after this weekend's summit.
"I'm very encouraged about our position going into 2014," she said.
Nationalists have been plotting for 2014 as well.
Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (Lial) told the GBC that his caucus will meet sometime next week to discuss the 2014 campaign, before members leave for the August recess.
Morandi and Assistant Majority Leader Nadan Saralo (Wellington) have also been meeting one-on-one privately with members who are up for re-election in 2014.
The NAT is going into 2014 in a very strong position, having an almost 20-seat advantage over the CNS. It's almost impossible that Conservatives would be able to overturn the NAT's majority. Most analysts believe the CNS will only pick up a handful of seats at best.
But there is some concern in the NAT. At least a few of their own members are vulnerable going into the elections.
At the top of the list are Kalnier Sen. Kallie Murray, Monomi's Nathan Lister and South Ceona Sen. Vic Chambers. All three seats will be prime targets for the CNS.
Conservatives are also targeting the seats of retiring Nationalists Hanna Gorbachy (Monomi) and John Warner-Patterson (Wilkonshire).
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