LAMBERTH, Kalnier -- Two young Nationalist women, one liberal state. And two very different situations heading into the December elections.
One would think Gov. Karen DeSalle and Sen. Kallie Murray - both up for re-election this year and both the first women to hold their respective positions in Kalnier - would each be struggling in the polls in an election year that favors Conservatives.
But recent polls conducted in the Snow Peak state have found the freshman senator Murray faring much better than her colleague, the freshman governor, Karen DeSalle.
A poll released last week by the University of Kalnier (UK) found Murray leading her CNS challenger, former Lt. Gov. Paul Crisp, by a margin of 59% to 41%.
That's a far cry from the University of Kalnier's governor's race poll released today, which shows Gov. Karen DeSalle trailing her CNS opponent, Tony Ritonio, 49% to 51%.
The conflicting polls have many asking why DeSalle is faring so badly compared to her ally Kallie Murray.
There are several reasons, according to Dr. John Kestell, a political scientist who conducted the UK poll.
First, DeSalle is unpopular at a time of voter unrest, while Murray remains relatively popular.
DeSalle's approval ratings have plummeted since she took office back in 2011, with just 41% of voters approving of her performance in late October. Murray's have fallen somewhat, but remain at a healthier 55%.
Another reason Murray is faring better in the polls is because she faces a lesser known and less significant challenger than does DeSalle.
Paul Crisp is a little-known former lieutenant governor, who served a partial term under former Gov. Joe Gramma (C).
Before being appointed to the lieutenant governorship, Crisp worked as an adviser to Gramma.
The 63-year-old Crisp is not well known, and is comparatively under-funded.
The Conservative Senate Campaign Committee has been reluctant to give his campaign money, as they fear (rightly so) a Crisp victory is unlikely, at best.
Karen DeSalle's opponent, on the other hand, is both well known and well-financed.
A wealthy businessman and entrepreneur, Tony Ritonio first ran for the Senate back in 2008, but lost to then-Sen. Eli Dundree (N).
His failed Senate bid gave him exposure, however, and he has been well known and active in state CNS politics since.
Additionally, Ritonio has broad support from national CNS party leaders and Conservative interest groups, who believe a Ritonio victory is pivotal to the party's national campaign.
Ritonio also has a personal fortune estimated at $23 million, making him a much more formidable opponent than Paul Crisp is to Kallie Murray.
And finally, much of Gov. DeSalle's currently unstable position comes down to personality.
The governor is well known for her combative and take-no-prisoners approach to governing.
During her tenure, and before the governorship as a state senator, DeSalle has been known for ramming legislation through with little to no bipartisan support.
She is well known on Marble Hill as a partisan who has few friends across the aisle.
That's in stark contrast to Kallie Murray, who has built strong bipartisan ties in the Senate. Murray is regarded as a friendly, amicable bipartisan figure in the Senate.
Though her voting record is strongly in line with NAT policies, she has partnered with Conservatives on many projects, including veterans issues, literacy, pediatric healthcare, transportation, sea commerce, and anti-terrorism legislation.
The two young, up-and-coming women, both beloved by Nationalists and both trailblazers in their state, are very different. And so are their opponents.
And that, says Dr. Kestell, is why Kallie Murray is in a much more secure position heading into election night.
"It's going to be a much more comfortable night for Kallie Murray than for Karen DeSalle," says Kestell. "Kallie Murray is almost certain to head back to the Senate. Karen DeSalle may very well lose the governorship."
Despite their very different circumstances, both ladies say they remained committed to helping each other.
Murray has kept her distance from DeSalle throughout the campaign. However, the two did host a "sisters rally" in Lamberth last month to raise support among women, the key electorate to an NAT victory this December.
"We're like sisters," Murray told the NPF. "We believe in the same things, we believe in empowering women, in equality for all, in social justice and education and healthcare. And we're both strong women trying to make it in the male-centric world of politics. So we really identify with each other."
DeSalle said she would continue working closely with Murray if re-elected.
"Kallie and I have partnered together on so many issues, and we will continue the fight if I am returned to Appenbaum. I hope we can continue working together because there is so much more that needs to be done," said DeSalle.
One would think Gov. Karen DeSalle and Sen. Kallie Murray - both up for re-election this year and both the first women to hold their respective positions in Kalnier - would each be struggling in the polls in an election year that favors Conservatives.
But recent polls conducted in the Snow Peak state have found the freshman senator Murray faring much better than her colleague, the freshman governor, Karen DeSalle.
A poll released last week by the University of Kalnier (UK) found Murray leading her CNS challenger, former Lt. Gov. Paul Crisp, by a margin of 59% to 41%.
That's a far cry from the University of Kalnier's governor's race poll released today, which shows Gov. Karen DeSalle trailing her CNS opponent, Tony Ritonio, 49% to 51%.
The conflicting polls have many asking why DeSalle is faring so badly compared to her ally Kallie Murray.
There are several reasons, according to Dr. John Kestell, a political scientist who conducted the UK poll.
First, DeSalle is unpopular at a time of voter unrest, while Murray remains relatively popular.
DeSalle's approval ratings have plummeted since she took office back in 2011, with just 41% of voters approving of her performance in late October. Murray's have fallen somewhat, but remain at a healthier 55%.
Another reason Murray is faring better in the polls is because she faces a lesser known and less significant challenger than does DeSalle.
Paul Crisp is a little-known former lieutenant governor, who served a partial term under former Gov. Joe Gramma (C).
Before being appointed to the lieutenant governorship, Crisp worked as an adviser to Gramma.
The 63-year-old Crisp is not well known, and is comparatively under-funded.
The Conservative Senate Campaign Committee has been reluctant to give his campaign money, as they fear (rightly so) a Crisp victory is unlikely, at best.
Karen DeSalle's opponent, on the other hand, is both well known and well-financed.
A wealthy businessman and entrepreneur, Tony Ritonio first ran for the Senate back in 2008, but lost to then-Sen. Eli Dundree (N).
His failed Senate bid gave him exposure, however, and he has been well known and active in state CNS politics since.
Additionally, Ritonio has broad support from national CNS party leaders and Conservative interest groups, who believe a Ritonio victory is pivotal to the party's national campaign.
Ritonio also has a personal fortune estimated at $23 million, making him a much more formidable opponent than Paul Crisp is to Kallie Murray.
And finally, much of Gov. DeSalle's currently unstable position comes down to personality.
The governor is well known for her combative and take-no-prisoners approach to governing.
During her tenure, and before the governorship as a state senator, DeSalle has been known for ramming legislation through with little to no bipartisan support.
She is well known on Marble Hill as a partisan who has few friends across the aisle.
That's in stark contrast to Kallie Murray, who has built strong bipartisan ties in the Senate. Murray is regarded as a friendly, amicable bipartisan figure in the Senate.
Though her voting record is strongly in line with NAT policies, she has partnered with Conservatives on many projects, including veterans issues, literacy, pediatric healthcare, transportation, sea commerce, and anti-terrorism legislation.
The two young, up-and-coming women, both beloved by Nationalists and both trailblazers in their state, are very different. And so are their opponents.
And that, says Dr. Kestell, is why Kallie Murray is in a much more secure position heading into election night.
"It's going to be a much more comfortable night for Kallie Murray than for Karen DeSalle," says Kestell. "Kallie Murray is almost certain to head back to the Senate. Karen DeSalle may very well lose the governorship."
Despite their very different circumstances, both ladies say they remained committed to helping each other.
Murray has kept her distance from DeSalle throughout the campaign. However, the two did host a "sisters rally" in Lamberth last month to raise support among women, the key electorate to an NAT victory this December.
"We're like sisters," Murray told the NPF. "We believe in the same things, we believe in empowering women, in equality for all, in social justice and education and healthcare. And we're both strong women trying to make it in the male-centric world of politics. So we really identify with each other."
DeSalle said she would continue working closely with Murray if re-elected.
"Kallie and I have partnered together on so many issues, and we will continue the fight if I am returned to Appenbaum. I hope we can continue working together because there is so much more that needs to be done," said DeSalle.
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