Gabler may face rematch with Conservative David Brown

MADAGEN, Marchenay -- It's going to be déjà vu in Marchenay this fall.

Conservative attorney and businessman David Brown announced he will run for governor again in the 2014 election.

"I'm running for governor because I see so much that needs to change in our state. I see our future slipping away before our eyes. I see our families being unduly burdened with taxes. I see our schools failing to perform. I see our healthcare system not meeting the needs of our people. And I see an incumbent who is more focused on her own political agenda than on serving those who elected her in the first place," Brown said at a campaign rally just outside Mavocke.

Brown previously ran for governor unsuccessfully against Christine Gabler (N) in 2012.

The 2012 race was a special election, marking Marchenay's first elections since the state broke off from the formerly unified state of Ceona.

Gabler (pronounced "Gabe-ler"), who at the time was governor of Ceona, defeated the lesser-known Brown by a margin of 55%-45% in the special election.

In accordance with the newly-established Marchenay Constitutional Charter, the special election in 2012 was only for a two-year term, so Gabler is up for re-election again this year. 

The 2014 election will be for a full, four-year term.

Despite a decisive defeat last go-round, the 54-year-old Brown, who hails from the state's capital city of Newcastle, is optimistic about his chances in 2014.

He cites the strong NAT momentum in 2012, as well as Gabler's incumbency, which enhanced her appeal.

"2012 was a strong year for the NAT. So many Conservative candidates tried to rise above the NAT tsunami that swept the nation, but they weren't able to, myself included," Brown told the Newcastle Daily Register. "And because it was a special election, and Marchenay was electing a new governor to oversee the transition to independent statehood, I think a lot of voters looked to Christine Gabler as a sort of stability to help lead our state through that time."

But Brown points out a lot has changed since 2012.

For starters, Gabler became Governor General (a position also known as "Chair of the Governors Board") in 2010, succeeding popular POG Gov. Donna Almone.

Gabler remained Chair after her 2012 re-election bid, and still currently holds the position.

But her role as the nation's highest-ranking governor has caused her to lose focus on her home-state duties, said Brown.

 "Christine Gabler is so focused on being Governor General that she has lost sight of the very people she is supposed to serve at the most basic level: the people of Marchenay, who elected her. We elected her to serve as our governor. And instead, she is out in the spotlight, enjoying the national media attention, and plotting her national ambitions rather than serving as a full-time governor for our state," said Brown.

Furthermore, Brown said, is Gabler's lengthy tenure in public office.

She has been a governor since 2008, when she was elected governor of Ceona. She served in that capacity until the 2012 election, when she ran for the interim, inaugural governorship of Marchenay.

"She's been governor of Marchenay and before that, the territory of Marchenay, for almost six years now. And what do we have to show for it? Nothing but higher taxes, no change in the unemployment, no change in our business climate, no change in our social welfare system, no improvements in education or healthcare or transportation. Nothing. She has no accomplishments," said Brown.

Brown adds that Gabler has been in government for more than 15 years, working for the state attorney general's office and for the Federal Department of Justice.

"She's been in office way too long. It's time for some new blood, some new ideas, some new leadership. Someone from outside of government that can really reform the way we do business here in Marchenay," said Brown.

Supporters of Gabler hit back at Brown, Friday, saying the governor has a clear record of achievement.

"Christine Gabler has stood up for Marchenayans. She has fought corporate greed, fought to protect consumers from greedy big businesses, fought for social justice, and fought the fat cats of finance to protect the hard-working citizens of our state," said state Sen. Joe Migeleccio  (N-Ampton Grove) told the Daily Register.

Gabler's campaign also responded directly to Brown's assertions.

"David Brown is just another typical, run-of-the-mill Conservative, who is in bed with big business, the oil companies, and the top 1% of the socio-economic ladder," campaign spokeswoman Cassie Yentle said in an email.

"Marchenayans know that Christine Gabler has their back. They know she fights day in and day out for the people of our state, for progress, for real reform. Christine Gabler is not afraid of a fight with the corporate bigwigs or the wealthy elite. She has stood, from day one, up for equality and fairness, and she will always remain committed to that fight."

Though the rhetoric is already flying from both sides, David Brown doesn't have a clear shot at the Conservative nomination for governor.

Conservative activist Andy Rapalli, from Bentbrook in the state's northeast, is set to run as well. 

Rapalli, who is staunchly opposed to tax increases and favors cutting the budget to reduce the state's debt burden, has not officially announced his candidacy but is widely expected to next month.

If he does run, Rapalli would have much less name recognition and money than Brown. Party insiders are most certainly to support Brown, who is seen as a much more viable candidate than the far-right Rapalli.

Still, Rapalli could make the path to the CNS nomination a little more tricky for Brown, and the far-right activist could for the party's front-runner to the right, which could prove damaging in the general election in left-leaning Marchenay.

Lindselli injured in auto accident

HANSBORO, East Deschire -- Former Federal Sen. Nancy Lindselli was injured in an auto accident Monday morning.

Begoran County Emergency Dispatch confirmed Lindselli, 76, was injured in a single-car roll-over accident in rural northwest Begoran County around 10 am Monday.

Lindselli was heading westbound on Honey Hill Road en route to visit her colleague, former Federal Sen. Roger Gzarno, who resides in the small town of Gansberg in neighboring Firmont County, about two hours away from Lindselli's home in southern Begoran County.

Police say Lindselli struck a patch of ice, which caused her 2013 Ford Escape SUV to lose control and careen down a wooded embankment.

Lindselli was stuck inside the vehicle. A woman walking her dog down the road noticed the incapacitated vehicle over the embankment and called 911.

Emergency crews from Begoran County responded, while Firmont County deputies assisted the call.

Lindselli had to be extricated from the vehicle. She was transported to the nearby Johnsville Community Hospital, and then air-lifted to Benevolence Hospital in Hansboro.

She was listed in serious but stable condition as of Tuesday afternoon. Doctors are optimistic she will recover.

Lindselli's daughter, Lacey Almira, told the media the family is grateful for prayers and support from the community.

"We are so grateful my mother is alive and in stable condition. We are so thankful to the person who called for help and to the emergency personnel who responded to her accident. We're also grateful to her doctors and nurses that are working with her. And to all of the community members who have been praying for her and thinking of her. It is really encouraging and gives my mother strength," the younger Lindselli said in an interview with local media.

Former Sen. Roger Gzarno also said in a statement he is "deeply concerned" about the injuries Lindselli sustained, but is glad she is okay.

The two former senators had planned to meet for lunch Monday to catch up, which was the purpose of their meeting.

"I'm so sorry to hear my friend Nancy was injured in an accident. I feel bad that it happened while she was on her way to see me," said Gzarno to Hansboro Local 6 News. "I visited her at the hospital and she is in good spirits and I know she will make a full recovery."

As for their lunch, they'll have to reschedule, said Gzarno.

"When she's all healed up, we'll have to lunch again. Maybe I'll drive to her house this time instead," he joked.

Conservative primary shaping up in East Deschire governor's race

HANSBORO, East Deschire -- With less than six months to go before the East Deschire primary, Conservative Assemblyman Dane Gutmeier (pronounced "Gute-meyer") finds himself at the front of a crowed pack in the race for the CNS nomination for governor, according to a recent poll.

The Liberty poll of 786 likely CNS voters found Gutmeier, who represents the seat of Abbott-Allistair in the southern part of the state, with the most support, with just over 27% of respondents choosing him as their first pick.

Christenkerr Mayor Phil Qwenberry, who is notably more moderate, came in second place, with just over 22%.

He was followed by Iraq War veteran and hard-right activist Tim Hutsell of Dillingham, who received 18%.

Former Federal Sen. Roger Gzarno (pronounced "Sz-ar-no") received 16%, and Assemblyman Sam Pyatt, who represents the seat of Pittsgol in the East Deschire panhandle, came in last place with 15%.

The numbers confirm what many Conservative Party leaders have been arguing: that Gutmeier is the party's most viable choice to nominate for governor.

He's only been in the National Assembly since 2010, but the sophomore assemblyman has already struck a bipartisan tone while sticking to his core conservative values.

Gutmeier is backed by the party establishment, but conservative enough that hard-line Conservatives would likely coalesce around him, party officials say.

"Dane Gutmeier is the best-positioned candidate we have to nominate against Lynn DeMont," Michael Ocalis, a CNS political consultant based in Derosa, told the Hansboro Laureate.

But Gutmeier's relative youth (he's 48) could be a problem. Some business leaders view Qwenberry, a political veteran in southeastern East Deschire, as the more experienced and pro-business candidate.

"Phil Qwenberry has been a mayor, city councilor, county commissioner, state legislator and businessman in the Vandershutes region for decades. He knows how to navigate state government and work through the red tape," Chris Donaldson, a Christenkerr City Councilor who serves with Qwenberry, said of his colleague.

Still other prominent Conservatives are not backing either of the front-runners.

Assemblywoman Sara Fraser of Derosa, who represents the seat of Bridgeworth, was an early supporter of Hutsell, who is the only candidate who has officially filed papers to run thus far.

Fraser, who spoke with the Laureate by phone Tuesday from Mavocke, said she was sticking with Hutsell, despite the looming entries into the race by other prominent candidates.

"While I respect Dane Gutmeier and my colleague Sam Pyatt and Senator Gzarno, I was a strong supporter of Tim Hutsell on day one, and I remain a strong supporter of his. I believe he has the courage to take on Lynn DeMont, and the fire in his belly to storm his way to Derosa and fight for conservative change," said Fraser.

She declined to comment on Qwenberry, whom she has said in the past is too moderate.

Two prominent Conservatives who opted not to run -- former Federal Sen. Seth Harkin and Hansboro Mayor Bill Engstrom -- are not marking endorsements at this time.

Many caution though that it's still too early to make endorsements.

"We have a lot of time before the May 13 primary, and we haven't really given the candidates a chance to state their positions and campaign yet," State Conservative Party Vice Chairman Phil Vancell told the Laureate.

Having announced his candidacy way back in August, Tim Hutsell has spent the most time traveling the state campaigning and raising money.

While he has a devoted group of supporters and campaigns with a fervor many politicians don't possess, Hutsell has largely limited his appearances to small towns and rural counties, and has steered clear of the state's larger, more liberal urban centres, where his backwoods, almost redneck-like conservative libertarian values are not as welcomed.

Neither Dane Gutmeier nor Phil Qwenberry have officially announced their candidacy, but neither has moved to quash speculation either. Qwenberry has publicly stated his interest in running, while Gutmeier has privately mulled a bid, though his political ambitions were leaked to the media last fall.

Roger Gzarno and Sam Pyatt have also said they are both considering a run for governor, but have not made official plans.

It's possible all five men will end up in the race, making for a crowded fight for the chance to take on two-time incumbent Lynn DeMont (N), who is running for his third but second full term.

DeMont's last two elections were both close, but his approval ratings have remained high. East Deschireans value his centrist views, his bipartisanship at the state capitol, and his folksy, friendly demeanor.

But DeMont's popularity has taken a hit in the last year, as Conservatives have attacked him for being absent-minded and more focused on national ambitions. They specifically cite his position as Chairman of the Nationalist Governors Association (NATGA) and his frequent traveling outside the state for NATGA engagements as proof the governor has lost his focus.

"Lynn DeMont is a nice person. But he is more focused on climbing the political ladder in the Nationalist Party right now than he is on being governor of East Deschire," Paul Hackett, a spokesman for the rival Conservative Governors Association (CGA) said in an interview with the Laureate.

Conservatives are hoping DeMont's distance from his home state duties will help their chances at the polls in December. They're also trying to tie DeMont to the much more liberal Gov. Christine Gabler (N-Marchenay), who serves as the Chairwoman of the Governors Board.

DeMont has worked closely with Gabler, though the two Nationalist are far apart on the political spectrum.

Still, knocking off the state's inaugural governor won't be a walk in the park for Conservatives. DeMont has deep roots in the Harvest State, and despite East Deschire's considerable Conservative tilt, the state has trended blue in recent elections.

For now, both sides are gearing up for the forthcoming elections. DeMont has actively been raising money, and a spokeswoman for his campaign confirmed the fundraising pace will increase over the coming months.

"We expect to have lots of (NAT) star power here in East Deschire on Lynn DeMont's behalf," said spokeswoman Sara Eckland.

Ansleigha Gov. Dale Lindstrom, who is chairing the CGA for the 2012-2014 election cycle, told the GBC the CNS is prepared for a close race in East Deschire.

"A few months ago, we wrote this race off as unwinnable," said Lindstrom. "I think over the last month or two, the polling and the political mood in East Deschire have shown this is a winnable race, and we will allocate the appropriate resources needed to win."