NAT leaders beginning to worry about front runner's viability
KOEURN, Ans. -- Saying his work in Mavocke is not done, Assemblyman Lane Kearster (pronounced "Ker-ster") dealt a blow to his own party three weeks ago when he announced he would not run against first-term Ansleiga Gov. Dale Lindstrom (C) in the 2016 election.
Kearster's announcement threw cold water on the hopes of many party leaders, who viewed the assemblyman and former mayor of Koeurn - the state's largest city - as the most viable candidate to challenge Lindstrom.
"I came to Mavocke on a mission," Kearster said. "To obtain health care for all Ansleighans, to obtain better education for our children, to protect our environment, to foster equality and fairness for our citizens. That mission is not done. I have more work to do, and while I'm flattered to be considered a candidate for governor, I will not be a contender in 2016."
He will instead run for re-election to the Assembly, where he represents the NAT-leaning seat of Gowlinson, which encompasses much of the Koeurn region.
Kearster's decision leaves Nationalists with no well-known candidates, but a long list of lesser-known hopefuls.
The front-runner in the race so far, albeit narrowly, appears to be lawyer Mark Haller pronounced ("How-ler") who represents southeast Koeurn in the state senate.
Haller was the first to declare his candidacy and is an ideologically acceptable candidate in the eyes of the party leadership. But his fundraising has been mediocre and many Nationalists worry his (at times) aloof, less-than-charismatic personality will be a liability if and when he goes up against Dale Lindstrom, who is much more comfortable in front of the camera and interacting with voters.
Haller has raised about $1 million, far trailing the $3.5 million Lindstrom has in the bank.
Privately, many NAT leaders are fretting that Haller may not be a strong enough candidate to defeat Lindstrom in the fall.
"There is concern among some that [Haller] doesn't have what it takes," one NAT source, who did not want to be named, told GNN.
Haller supporters say the nervousness from party elders is needless.
"Mark Haller will be the nominee," said a determined state Sen. Andrew Kasinell (N-Cordeyon), who was an early supporter.
But as Haller struggles to stay atop in the race, several other candidates are clamoring to take the front-runner mantle.
Churchtown Mayor Paul Biddington (pronounced "Bide-ing-ton") announced his candidacy last week. A strong liberal, Biddington is a good friend of Haller's and had been reluctant to criticize him. But Biddington argues he is more tenacious and stronger head-to-head with Lindstrom.
Jon Erickson, a 36-year-old state representative and Iraq War veteran from Charlottesville, is also running. With a decidedly more moderate voting record, Erickson plays well with younger voters but has struggled to gain traction with liberals.
Two new candidates emerged last week.
Russ Hawley, CEO of AgriTech, an agricultural technology company in Ambrose County, announced his entry into the race. Hawley is a centrist and his folksy demeanor has played well on the campaign trail.
Koeurn City Councillor Paris Westerman also launched his campaign. He begins the race at a clear disadvantage, lacking the name recognition and funding many of his opponents have. But his progressive views and wonkish, professorsorial personality appeal to the left wing of the party and young people.
Also running are Gilliam businessman Bill Seiffert and wealthy mining magnate Rosamond Burkes, who is well-known for her past anti-war activism and ardent defense of abortion.
Burkes has been criticized by some Nationalists, however, for her more conservative views on taxes, climate change and labor.
Regardless of who wins the NAT nomination, picking off Dale Lindstrom in the general election will be difficult. The incumbent remains popular and has not made any serious gaffes or mistakes since taking office in 2011.
It didn't hurt that Lindstrom served as chair of the Conservative Governors Association (CGA), thus giving him connections with prominent donors.
Endorsements have been few and far between, but Haller has received the most, as the party slowly coalesces around him.
KOEURN, Ans. -- Saying his work in Mavocke is not done, Assemblyman Lane Kearster (pronounced "Ker-ster") dealt a blow to his own party three weeks ago when he announced he would not run against first-term Ansleiga Gov. Dale Lindstrom (C) in the 2016 election.
Kearster's announcement threw cold water on the hopes of many party leaders, who viewed the assemblyman and former mayor of Koeurn - the state's largest city - as the most viable candidate to challenge Lindstrom.
"I came to Mavocke on a mission," Kearster said. "To obtain health care for all Ansleighans, to obtain better education for our children, to protect our environment, to foster equality and fairness for our citizens. That mission is not done. I have more work to do, and while I'm flattered to be considered a candidate for governor, I will not be a contender in 2016."
He will instead run for re-election to the Assembly, where he represents the NAT-leaning seat of Gowlinson, which encompasses much of the Koeurn region.
Kearster's decision leaves Nationalists with no well-known candidates, but a long list of lesser-known hopefuls.
The front-runner in the race so far, albeit narrowly, appears to be lawyer Mark Haller pronounced ("How-ler") who represents southeast Koeurn in the state senate.
Haller was the first to declare his candidacy and is an ideologically acceptable candidate in the eyes of the party leadership. But his fundraising has been mediocre and many Nationalists worry his (at times) aloof, less-than-charismatic personality will be a liability if and when he goes up against Dale Lindstrom, who is much more comfortable in front of the camera and interacting with voters.
Haller has raised about $1 million, far trailing the $3.5 million Lindstrom has in the bank.
Privately, many NAT leaders are fretting that Haller may not be a strong enough candidate to defeat Lindstrom in the fall.
"There is concern among some that [Haller] doesn't have what it takes," one NAT source, who did not want to be named, told GNN.
Haller supporters say the nervousness from party elders is needless.
"Mark Haller will be the nominee," said a determined state Sen. Andrew Kasinell (N-Cordeyon), who was an early supporter.
But as Haller struggles to stay atop in the race, several other candidates are clamoring to take the front-runner mantle.
Churchtown Mayor Paul Biddington (pronounced "Bide-ing-ton") announced his candidacy last week. A strong liberal, Biddington is a good friend of Haller's and had been reluctant to criticize him. But Biddington argues he is more tenacious and stronger head-to-head with Lindstrom.
Jon Erickson, a 36-year-old state representative and Iraq War veteran from Charlottesville, is also running. With a decidedly more moderate voting record, Erickson plays well with younger voters but has struggled to gain traction with liberals.
Two new candidates emerged last week.
Russ Hawley, CEO of AgriTech, an agricultural technology company in Ambrose County, announced his entry into the race. Hawley is a centrist and his folksy demeanor has played well on the campaign trail.
Koeurn City Councillor Paris Westerman also launched his campaign. He begins the race at a clear disadvantage, lacking the name recognition and funding many of his opponents have. But his progressive views and wonkish, professorsorial personality appeal to the left wing of the party and young people.
Also running are Gilliam businessman Bill Seiffert and wealthy mining magnate Rosamond Burkes, who is well-known for her past anti-war activism and ardent defense of abortion.
Burkes has been criticized by some Nationalists, however, for her more conservative views on taxes, climate change and labor.
Regardless of who wins the NAT nomination, picking off Dale Lindstrom in the general election will be difficult. The incumbent remains popular and has not made any serious gaffes or mistakes since taking office in 2011.
It didn't hurt that Lindstrom served as chair of the Conservative Governors Association (CGA), thus giving him connections with prominent donors.
Endorsements have been few and far between, but Haller has received the most, as the party slowly coalesces around him.
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