CHRISTENKERR, East Deschire -- After millions of dollars and many troubling polls, incumbent Conservative Sen. Denna Halitz has held on to win the CNS primary, fending off an insurgent opponent, former Sen. Nancy Lindselli.
With 98% of precincts reporting, Halitz was leading 50.5% to 49.3%.
East Deschire Secretary of State Jenny Sinderman cautioned the numbers are unofficial, but confirmed there were only about 2,000 votes left to count statewide. Halitz was leading by more than 4,000 votes as of last count, meaning she will be declared the winner, barring a court challenge or a recount.
At her victory rally at the Bryant Center in Christenkerr, Halitz said she was cautiously optimistic she would be declared the winner.
"I think when the dust settles, we will come out on top," she said.
Up in Hansboro at her election night party, Lindselli refused to concede and said her staff was monitoring the results for irregularities. She declined to say if she would seek legal action or ask for a recount.
"The integrity of this election needs to be upheld no matter the cost," she told reporters outside the Manhattan Center, where her celebration was held.
East Deschire election law stipulates that if the margin of victory is one half of one percent - or 0.05% - or less, an automatic recount will take place.
The Lindselli campaign could also ask for a machine recount or a hand recount, but would have to pay upfront for either.
If the outcome changes and Lindselli emerges the winner upon the recount, the cost of the recount would be refunded to the candidate.
It's unclear what, if any, action the Lindselli campaign will take.
After narrowly losing her seat to Nationalist Allison Sweeten during the 2012 election, Lindselli quickly set her sights on a primary challenge to Halitz, who is a celebrated moderate within the party.
After months of speculation and suspense, Lindselli finally filed the necessary paperwork earlier this spring to challenge Halitz.
The race got off to an ugly start, with Lindselli attacking Halitz for being too moderate, neglecting her constituents by not spending enough time back home in East Deschire, and being "an accessory to the liberal takeover of this country."
Halitz defended her record in an attempt to rebuff her opponent's attacks.
The incumbent did, however, admit that she had not spent enough time on East Deschire soil and was spending too much time in Mavocke because of the political engagements and Senate duties.
"I should be back home more, and I do sincerely apologize for getting too wrapped up in my Senate duties," said Halitz. "My primary responsibility, as a representative of the people of East Deschire, is to engage with them, dialogue with them and understand their needs and concerns so I can better serve them. And to do that, I need to spend more time on the ground here at home."
The unfriendly fight continued, with Halitz likening Lindselli's attacks to "friendly fire" and a "character assassination."
Lindselli continued her criticisms, calling out Halitz for not opposing tax increases, not defending gun rights, and not opposing the federal government enough.
"If you're going to vote like a Nationalist, then you might as well call yourself one. Don't pose as something you're not," Lindselli said during a debate at the Astle Center in Hansboro last month.
The two rivals turned up the intensity back in March when they crossed paths at the annual Spring Skeet Shoot-out in the small town of Earl in rural Rocky Hills County, just north of Ridgeview.
Lindselli appeared more comfortable with a gun and seemed right at home among the gun-slingers, while Halitz seemed, to many, to only be at the event to strengthen her image as pro-gun.
"Denna Halitz was definitely out of her element at the shoot-out. That really cemented Nancy Lindselli as the more gun supportive candidate," said one CNS source, who asked not to be identified because of party media rules.
In the last few weeks of the race, Halitz crisscrossed the state, attacking the Brenton Menuhaeo administration and Nationalists in Congress for what she called their out-of-control spending, growing welfare rolls, and encroachment on state sovereignty.
"I believe this administration is so out of touch with the average East Deschirean and the average Grassadellian. President Menuhaeo just fundamentally does not understand rural issues and the issues facing hard-working, middle class citizens, particularly in western states like East Deschire," said Halitz in a televised debate in Doylestown in May.
Halitz also sought to portray her frequent bipartisanship as a strength, not a weakness.
"I don't believe the people of East Deschire sent me to Mavocke to just vote 'no' on everything President Menuhaeo and the Nationalists propose. They sent me to Mavocke to get things done. To find common ground and pass legislation, to work with other senators to get bills through, and to get results for our state and to stand up for our rights. I have done that from day one.
"I have stood up for our civil liberties. I have stood up for our military families and our veterans. I have stood up for our farmers and agriculture industry, which is so vital to our state. I have stood up for our children and our college students and our seniors. But if you're asking why I have not opposed every single bill that has been touched by a Nationalist, the answer is because that's stupid and that's wrong. I support a conservative agenda, but I don't support just voting 'no' because I don't like the president or the other side," said Halitz.
For her part, Lindselli - whose campaign launch was delayed after she was injured in an auto accident and subsequently hospitalized back in January - portrayed Halitz as out of touch and too cozy with Nationalists.
"Denna has acted as a moderate since she got into office. She doesn't support a conservative agenda. She supports a moderate agenda. But this is East Deschire. We're a conservative state. If you want to be a moderate, then you should represent a state like New Portsmouth or Damoign. If you're going to support the president's agenda, then you should either become a member of his party or get a job working for him in Collester. But don't use your position as a representative of East Deschire as a way to advance an agenda that your constituents don't support," said Lindselli during a radio interview on June 8.
Despite the heated tone of the debate, the candidates do agree on many issues. Both generally support a strong military and favor lower taxes. Both have been strongly supportive of East Deschire's agricultural sector, and both have been critical of Nationalists for ramming their agenda through the Senate with little participation or input from the minority Conservative Party.
In the end, it came down to tone. Lindselli's more combative tone was welcomed by more hard-line voters who welcomed her tough stance against the president and Nationalists. But her no-nonsense style was a turn-off for party moderates.
"Nancy Lindselli is more conservative, which favored her in a primary election. But she's also feisty and a bit militant, and that can be a good thing or a bad thing," said Dr. Tim Thomas of East Deschire State University in Clawfield. "I think Denna Halitz won voters over, ultimately, with her nice, gentle tone compared to Lindselli's gruff, almost abrasive tone."
The differences between the two were not just political, but also generational, as Lindselli is 76 years old compared to the much younger Halitz, 44.
Older voters, who trend more conservative, were strongly in favor of Lindselli, while younger and middle-aged voters favored Halitz.
Regional differences also came into play, with Lindselli finding strong support in the northeastern part of the state, where she hails from.
Halitz swept the southeastern third of the state, which encompasses her native Christenkerr.
The candidates almost evenly split the panhandle region.
Linselli won a majority in the three most populous counties - Selkford, Matthieson and Mardeau.
Halitz took Lewaina County - home to the state capital Derosa - and also won Darrich County, which includes the twin cities of Port Sehela and Poole.
Both women won their home counties, with Halitz taking almost 80% of the vote in her native Riona County and Lindselli receiving a less impressive but respectable 61% in Begoran County.
Turnout was high for a non-presidential election year, according to Secretary Sinderman. She estimated turnout in the CNS primary to be about 55% of eligible registered CNS voters, or roughly 370,000 voters.
With 98% of precincts reporting, Halitz was leading 50.5% to 49.3%.
East Deschire Secretary of State Jenny Sinderman cautioned the numbers are unofficial, but confirmed there were only about 2,000 votes left to count statewide. Halitz was leading by more than 4,000 votes as of last count, meaning she will be declared the winner, barring a court challenge or a recount.
At her victory rally at the Bryant Center in Christenkerr, Halitz said she was cautiously optimistic she would be declared the winner.
"I think when the dust settles, we will come out on top," she said.
Up in Hansboro at her election night party, Lindselli refused to concede and said her staff was monitoring the results for irregularities. She declined to say if she would seek legal action or ask for a recount.
"The integrity of this election needs to be upheld no matter the cost," she told reporters outside the Manhattan Center, where her celebration was held.
East Deschire election law stipulates that if the margin of victory is one half of one percent - or 0.05% - or less, an automatic recount will take place.
The Lindselli campaign could also ask for a machine recount or a hand recount, but would have to pay upfront for either.
If the outcome changes and Lindselli emerges the winner upon the recount, the cost of the recount would be refunded to the candidate.
It's unclear what, if any, action the Lindselli campaign will take.
After narrowly losing her seat to Nationalist Allison Sweeten during the 2012 election, Lindselli quickly set her sights on a primary challenge to Halitz, who is a celebrated moderate within the party.
After months of speculation and suspense, Lindselli finally filed the necessary paperwork earlier this spring to challenge Halitz.
The race got off to an ugly start, with Lindselli attacking Halitz for being too moderate, neglecting her constituents by not spending enough time back home in East Deschire, and being "an accessory to the liberal takeover of this country."
Halitz defended her record in an attempt to rebuff her opponent's attacks.
The incumbent did, however, admit that she had not spent enough time on East Deschire soil and was spending too much time in Mavocke because of the political engagements and Senate duties.
"I should be back home more, and I do sincerely apologize for getting too wrapped up in my Senate duties," said Halitz. "My primary responsibility, as a representative of the people of East Deschire, is to engage with them, dialogue with them and understand their needs and concerns so I can better serve them. And to do that, I need to spend more time on the ground here at home."
The unfriendly fight continued, with Halitz likening Lindselli's attacks to "friendly fire" and a "character assassination."
Lindselli continued her criticisms, calling out Halitz for not opposing tax increases, not defending gun rights, and not opposing the federal government enough.
"If you're going to vote like a Nationalist, then you might as well call yourself one. Don't pose as something you're not," Lindselli said during a debate at the Astle Center in Hansboro last month.
The two rivals turned up the intensity back in March when they crossed paths at the annual Spring Skeet Shoot-out in the small town of Earl in rural Rocky Hills County, just north of Ridgeview.
Lindselli appeared more comfortable with a gun and seemed right at home among the gun-slingers, while Halitz seemed, to many, to only be at the event to strengthen her image as pro-gun.
"Denna Halitz was definitely out of her element at the shoot-out. That really cemented Nancy Lindselli as the more gun supportive candidate," said one CNS source, who asked not to be identified because of party media rules.
In the last few weeks of the race, Halitz crisscrossed the state, attacking the Brenton Menuhaeo administration and Nationalists in Congress for what she called their out-of-control spending, growing welfare rolls, and encroachment on state sovereignty.
"I believe this administration is so out of touch with the average East Deschirean and the average Grassadellian. President Menuhaeo just fundamentally does not understand rural issues and the issues facing hard-working, middle class citizens, particularly in western states like East Deschire," said Halitz in a televised debate in Doylestown in May.
Halitz also sought to portray her frequent bipartisanship as a strength, not a weakness.
"I don't believe the people of East Deschire sent me to Mavocke to just vote 'no' on everything President Menuhaeo and the Nationalists propose. They sent me to Mavocke to get things done. To find common ground and pass legislation, to work with other senators to get bills through, and to get results for our state and to stand up for our rights. I have done that from day one.
"I have stood up for our civil liberties. I have stood up for our military families and our veterans. I have stood up for our farmers and agriculture industry, which is so vital to our state. I have stood up for our children and our college students and our seniors. But if you're asking why I have not opposed every single bill that has been touched by a Nationalist, the answer is because that's stupid and that's wrong. I support a conservative agenda, but I don't support just voting 'no' because I don't like the president or the other side," said Halitz.
For her part, Lindselli - whose campaign launch was delayed after she was injured in an auto accident and subsequently hospitalized back in January - portrayed Halitz as out of touch and too cozy with Nationalists.
"Denna has acted as a moderate since she got into office. She doesn't support a conservative agenda. She supports a moderate agenda. But this is East Deschire. We're a conservative state. If you want to be a moderate, then you should represent a state like New Portsmouth or Damoign. If you're going to support the president's agenda, then you should either become a member of his party or get a job working for him in Collester. But don't use your position as a representative of East Deschire as a way to advance an agenda that your constituents don't support," said Lindselli during a radio interview on June 8.
Despite the heated tone of the debate, the candidates do agree on many issues. Both generally support a strong military and favor lower taxes. Both have been strongly supportive of East Deschire's agricultural sector, and both have been critical of Nationalists for ramming their agenda through the Senate with little participation or input from the minority Conservative Party.
In the end, it came down to tone. Lindselli's more combative tone was welcomed by more hard-line voters who welcomed her tough stance against the president and Nationalists. But her no-nonsense style was a turn-off for party moderates.
"Nancy Lindselli is more conservative, which favored her in a primary election. But she's also feisty and a bit militant, and that can be a good thing or a bad thing," said Dr. Tim Thomas of East Deschire State University in Clawfield. "I think Denna Halitz won voters over, ultimately, with her nice, gentle tone compared to Lindselli's gruff, almost abrasive tone."
The differences between the two were not just political, but also generational, as Lindselli is 76 years old compared to the much younger Halitz, 44.
Older voters, who trend more conservative, were strongly in favor of Lindselli, while younger and middle-aged voters favored Halitz.
Regional differences also came into play, with Lindselli finding strong support in the northeastern part of the state, where she hails from.
Halitz swept the southeastern third of the state, which encompasses her native Christenkerr.
The candidates almost evenly split the panhandle region.
Linselli won a majority in the three most populous counties - Selkford, Matthieson and Mardeau.
Halitz took Lewaina County - home to the state capital Derosa - and also won Darrich County, which includes the twin cities of Port Sehela and Poole.
Both women won their home counties, with Halitz taking almost 80% of the vote in her native Riona County and Lindselli receiving a less impressive but respectable 61% in Begoran County.
Turnout was high for a non-presidential election year, according to Secretary Sinderman. She estimated turnout in the CNS primary to be about 55% of eligible registered CNS voters, or roughly 370,000 voters.
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