Hoffbourn quietly consulting Bannich on possible gubernatorial run

FULKHAM, Remmington -- He's not officially running for governor yet, but former Remmington Sen. Matt Hoffbourn is quietly moving to build a campaign.

The centrist senator is reportedly consulting with another moderate Nationalist who successfully ran for governor in a conservative state - Scott Bannich, the former governor of South Ceona.

Despite the Primrose State's conservative tilt, Bannich won a special election in 2012 as an underdog against a favored CNS candidate.

Two years later, he lost to the same opponent by a narrow margin.

But allies of Hoffbourn - who is well-known and well-liked in Remmington - confirmed to the Mavocke Capitol the former senator is privately receiving advice from Bannich.

Hoffbourn has won legislative races in the past, but he's never ran for a managerial position, such as the governorship.

But out of all the potential NAT gubernatorial candidates, Mr. Hoffbourn is polling the best.

Even a poll conducted recently by the conservative-leaning Ace & Watkins firm shows Hoffbourn tied with or leading the top two CNS candidates.

He ties Sen. Jared Lanman (C), with both men earning 50 percent.

He leads Sen. Curt Blaisek (C), the state's senior senator, 55 percent to 45 percent.

But before he goes head-to-head with either Lanman or Blaisek, Mr. Hoffbourn will have to get past his fellow NAT candidates, including Remmington City Mayor Graham Alton, who is expected to make a second run for governor after losing the 2012 race by a sliver of the vote.

Alton lost the 2012 race to Conservative incumbent Jen Stevens Taylor by 531 votes, the closest governor's election in Remmington history.