Wellington Governor Wade Quanson returns to work after near-fatal aneurysm

STARSMIN, Well. -- More than two months after a near-fatal brain aneurysm, Wellington Gov. Wade Quanson has returned to work.

Quanson, 61, was speaking at an event at the state capitol building back on October 6, 2017, when he suddenly collapsed.

He was rushed to nearby Two Rivers Hospital in downtown Starksmin, and was hospitalized for almost a month.

The aneurysm was small but life-threatening. Doctors were forced to perform immediate surgery to repair the damage to a brain artery.

Immeditely, Lt. Gov. Liz McKinn (C) took over as acting-governor.

Quanson survived, however, and after weeks of rehabilitation, he returned to work this past week. He received a standing ovation from state lawmakers in the capitol building.

"Thank you, thank you all. I'm grateful to be back, grateful to be alive and grateful to get back to work for the people of Wellington," he said.

Doctors say Quanson is recovering nicely.

"His latest check looks good. We encouraged him to rest and not over-do it with his gubernatorial duties and he appears to have followed that instruction," said Dr. Abdul Khalid Darma.

"The governor owes a lot of credit to the people and the first responders at the event he was speaking at. Had they not gotten him help immediately and taken him directly to the hospital, he probably would not have survived," Dr. Nadal Caruigi said at a press conference Friday.

Quanson did scale back his public appearances since the incident, but he told the media Friday he is feeling "great" and "re-invigorated" and looking forward to getting back to normal.

"This was a little speed bump in the road for me, but I'm back to normal now, I feel great and I look forward to resuming a normal schedule."

He added that he is grateful for his "wonderful family, friends, staff, colleagues, doctors and the people of this state for supporting me and being patient with my absence."

Additionally, this week, Quanson announced he will seek re-election in 2018. He is currently serving his first term as governor.

Candidates declare for Kinoelke's vacant Senate seat

FAIRFIELD, South Ceona -- The vacant Senate seat formerly held by Vice President-elect Chris Kinoelke will be filled with a special election scheduled for February 8, 2018, South Ceona Gov. Greg Laskie announced Friday.

As governor, Laskie has the constitutionally-mandated authority to schedule by-elections, and since Kinoelke was only in the beginning of his Senate term when he was elected VP, a special by-election will be held to fill his seat.

A primary election will be held January 3, 2018, and the general election February 8.

Had Kinoelke been in the latter half of his Senate term, Laskie would have simply appointed an interim senator to fill the seat.

Candidates from both parties have already declared their candidacy.

On the Conservative side, Laskie's lieutenant governor, Jane Karsten, has announced she will run. Assemblyman Dane Rakin, who represents the Serea-area in the National Assembly, will also run. Both have been actively campaigning across the state and raising cash.

Several candidates have declared on the NAT side too, including University of South Ceona-Necadia anatomy professor Dr. Parnell Scott, former Senate candidate and social worker Elaine Tazzo of Mastwin, and Assemblywoman Leigh Ann Mayley of Stenison.

Political new-comer Mickey O'Toole, a blue-collar machinist and activist from Gallaghan, has also announced his intention to seek the open seat.

Other candidates said to be considering a run on the CNS side are Wolfson County District Attorney David Steigman and state Sen. Dan Brier of Rathclan, both of whom have unsuccessfully sought state-wide office.

Former NAT Senator Alan Thorston has ruled out a comeback bid, and Attorney General Patty Volston (N) has declined to enter the race, despite significant pressure from party leaders.

Former Governor Scott Bannich (N) has also said he will not run.

Speculation about the state's gubernatorial election, which will take place in November 2018, is also growing.

Incumbent Gov. Greg Laskie (C) has indicated he will seek re-election, but it's unclear if Bannich, his predecessor, will seek a second re-match with Laskie.

Volston is also considered a likely gubernatorial candidate, while state Sen. Chris Blair of Necadia has already announced his candidacy.

Tatum Kelly starting political career over, running for Congress in Damoign

KOKOMOKALO, Damoign -- She's remembered as the young and fiery former lieutenant governor of East Deschire who was forced out of office after a verbal tirade of insults aimed at her constituents was caught on camera.

Tatum Kelly, who briefly served as lieutenant governor of the Harvest State in 2009 until her boss and running-mate Gov. Lynn DeMont demanded her resignation, is now living in suburban Grassadellia City, and is planning a run for Congress.

Kelly confirmed her interest in running for the National Assembly in an interview with the Mavocke Capitol newspaper.

"My life in East Deschire is behind me, I have started a new life here in Damoign, I love the people of Kokomokalo, I love the energy in this community, and I have the skills and experience needed to help represent my fellow constituents in Mavocke," said Kelly, 44, who now lives in the upscale suburb of Kokomokalo, southwest of Grassadellia City.

Known for its many celebrities residents, Kokomokalo is among the most affluent communities in the nation, a place where power, glamour and money meet unabashedly.

And despite her notoriety in the political world, Kelly's fame pales compared to other residents of Kokomokalo.

The incident that sank her political career back in 2009 is still fresh in the memory of some East Deschireans.

"I remember her coming in here and calling us all 'hicks' and 'rednecks,'" Beth Barry told the Mavocke Capitol.

Barry was a local NAT party member who was in the audience when Kelly unleashed her fury on her constituents.

Kelly's rant was caught on camera, and there was no doubt her behavior would compel her boss, Gov. Lynn DeMont, to ask for her resignation.

When asked about that stunningly un-politician-like moment, Kelly says it was not reflective of her character.

"I was having a bad day that day. I was under a lot of stress, and there were some staffing issues that were going on within the governor's office, and I just didn't handle it well. I snapped. All the stress that had been building...it literally came crashing down. It was the last straw. And I said some unfortunate things, things I didn't even truly believe and things I would never have said in my right frame of mind."

After resigning, she attended anger management and anxiety classes to help reduce stress and manage her emotions.

"I decided it was time to move and get a fresh start. I needed a change, so I moved to Damoign and ended up here," she said.

Upon moving to the big city, Kelly left behind her shattered political life in the West and took jobs in Kokomokalo's burgeoning fashion and interior design scene.

"After my episode, the calls (from political friends and allies) stopped. No more invitations to speak at this luncheon, or do an interview on TV, or campaign for this person. I was politically toxic and no one wanted to associate with me. I was viewed as the young, immature blond who has anger issues," Kelly said. "So I took up fashion and design, and I love it!"

"But I see what's going on with Mavocke, with the Conservatives running the show, and I see what's going on in England with Brexit, and America with Trump, and Australia with the effort to stop gay marriage, and France with Le Pen, and I'm just enraged and appalled at what's happening. I feel like I should be doing something to help stop all these radical conservative movements from taking away our freedoms and harming our citizens," she said.

Her old boss, Lynn DeMont, would not comment for this story. But Conservatives had plenty to say about the former lieutenant governor.

"I hope she does run. She has no chance of winning. She's still black-listed in the NAT party and Conservatives would have a field day with attack ads against her," Larry Edwards, a Conservative party strategist, told the Capitol.

When asked for his thoughts about Ms. Kelly running for Assembly in Damoign, former Damoign Gov. Sid Hoffa said he didn't even know who she was.

"Who? Who are you talking about?" a confused Hoffa said during an appearance on the GBC. "I'm not sure I know who that person is that you mentioned."

While Conservatives might love the idea of a scandal-scarred NAT politician running for office again, Kelly has an uphill climb in the NAT primary alone, not to mention the general election.

"Kokomokalo is a very liberal town, there are no doubt many progressive people who would run for Assembly from Kokomokalo, so if Tatum Kelly runs, she will be one of many. And as an outsider, her opponents will cast her as a carpet-bagger. It's going to be very difficult for her to convince her fellow Nationalists to vote for her in the primary, much less in the general," said Dr. Tony Short, a political science teacher at nearby Cabry College.

Kelly says she will forge on with her campaign anyway, and if she's unsuccessful, she can go back to her design work.

"I love what I do, so if it doesn't work out, I will still be happy doing what I love."

Assemblywoman Jessica Blaine not running for re-election in 2018, moving to Roddenshire

PORT PHILLIP, Damoign -- Assemblywoman Jessica Blaine will not run for re-election in 2018, and is moving out of the electorate she has held since 2008.

Blaine, a hawkish Democratic-Reformist who often votes with Conservatives in the National Assembly, announced she was stepping down at a news conference in Mavocke, Thursday.

In addition to stepping down, she will be moving out of state to neighboring Roddenshire, where she was born and raised.

"I will not be a candidate for the seat of Corma in 2018," she announced. "After I leave Congress, I will be moving to Roddenshire. Those of you who know me know that I was born and raised in Roddenshire, and my elderly mother still lives there. I want to be closer to her as her health deteriorates."

Blaine has represented the electorate of Corma for nine years. The coastal electorate lies northeast of Grassadellia City on Cape Joyner and includes the GC suburbs of Corma, Port Phillip, Nivena and Norlasse.

Colleagues and political pundits have noted that Roddenshire Sen. Anita Ugorachin (N) is up for re-election in 2018, and some have speculated the respected assemblywoman may be moving for more than family reasons.

Chris Judson, an NAT political consultant based in Mavocke, raised the issue on the GBC's "Grace Li Show," saying Blaine may run against Ugorachin in Roddenshire, a much easier feat than running for a Senate seat in Damoign, where the state's NAT senators are popular and difficult to defeat.

"Anita Ugorachin is vulnerable. She's definitely beatable by the Conservatives, or a Democratic-Reformist like Jessica Blaine who is mostly conservative," said Judson. "If you are trying to win a seat in the Senate - and Jessica Blaine has ran for the Senate already in Damoign - would you rather run against a popular incumbent in the most expensive state to run a campaign? Or would you rather run against a vulnerable incumbent in a small state?"

Blaine denied she is planning to challenge Ugorachin in the 2018 election, saying her focus is on her family.

"This move is not politically-motivated. It's family-motivated. My mother has Alzheimer's and I want to be closer to her. That's why I'm moving, plain and simple," she said.

Blaine's seat in the National Assembly is a boon to the NAT, as Conservatives have struggled for relevance in the area in the past few election cycles. However, it's possible the CNS could field a moderate candidate that may appeal to the upper-income, educated, and socially-liberal electorate.

With the Conservative Party's backing, Blaine ran unsuccessfully for the Federal Senate in 2012. She narrowly lost to Debbie Madronas (N), taking 42% to Madronas' 44%, respectively.

Six airmen suspended at Kidd Air Force Base for sexual misconduct

CROSSLEY, Damoign -- Six airmen with the Grassadellian Royal Air Force have been suspended after alleged sexual misconduct, the Defense Department announced Monday.

The six airmen, all of whom are based at Kidd Air Force Base in Crossley, western Damoign, were suspended with pay after the Air Force Inspector General's office was alerted to an alleged non-consensual sexual encounter involving the six men and a female cadet.

The alleged incident occurred eight months ago in a barracks building on-base, where the victim says she was forced to perform sexual acts with her male peers, including oral sex and sexual intercourse.

The alleged victim says she did not consent to any of the activities. It's unclear if alcohol or drugs were involved.

Little information about those involved was released by Air Force officials, but the six men, all of whom are in their 20s and 30s, have been suspended, are not allowed contact with the alleged victim, and have been re-assigned until an internal investigation is completed.

The alleged victim is receiving counseling and has been re-assigned to another base.

Because the alleged incident occurred on-base, any potential criminal charges will be laid by the Federal Prosecutors Office instead of local authorities.

Top Air Force leaders spoke out emphatically against sexual assault and harassment in the military.

"In the Air Force, we expect all of our airmen and officers to protect and support each other at all times. We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and sexual assault. Any individual that is found to be guilty of these offenses will be dealt with swiftly and justly in the Air Force Internal Conduct System and if applicable, in the criminal justice system as well," said Gen. Andrew Pezacek, Deputy Director of the Grassadellian Royal Air Force.

Damoign governor's race uncertain after court ruling

MATTINOW, Damoign -- The 2020 election is still years away, but the political parties and potential candidates are already preparing for the forthcoming Damoign governor's race. And after a ruling by the Damoign Supreme Court on Friday, the race for governor took an unexpected turn.

The court struck down a proposed constitutional amendment to the Damoign State Constitution that passed in the 2016 election.

The proposed amendment, officially "Amendment 14," would have changed Damoign's rules surrounding elections for governor and would have allowed a governor to serve two consecutive  four-year terms instead of just one single term.

The current law limits a governor to one four-year term. A governor can serve more than one term but non-consecutively. The current law was enacted by voters back in the 1980s, after decades of corruption in the governor's office. The one-term limit was pushed as a way to curb corruption among the state's top executives.

Amendment 14 sought to extend the term limits. The argument from Amendment 14's supporters - which included former governors Rod Penora (N) and Sid Hoffa (C) - was that a mere four years is not enough time for a governor to enact real reform or a meaningful agenda.

"Four years is really very little time to get big changes done," said Penora back in 2016. "If we want real reform, if we want to make the broad, sweeping changes that we desperately need in Mattinow, then it would behoove us as citizens of our state, to give the governor more time to enact his or her agenda, and to allow the governor to shape a better agenda and allow time for that agenda to make its way through the legislature."

The Damoign legislature approved Amendment 14 in spring 2016, and in the fall 2016 election, voters affirmed that decision, with almost 56% voting in favor of Amendment 14.

But despite the legislative approval and affirmative vote from voters, by a vote of 7-2, the Damoign Supreme Court invalidated the amendment, saying the legislature must clarify the amendment adoption process before the law can take effect.

"It is not enough for the voters to affirm with a simple majority. It must be a 'broad majority' to precipitate a constitutional amendment," Charles Johnson, associate justice, wrote for the majority in the six-page opinion. "The question is, what amount constitutes a 'broad majority?' The law in its present form is vague and the legislature must clarify before Amendment 14 can be certified."

The law is unclear as to exactly what percentage of the vote a constitutional amendment must attain from voters, if the matter is put to the voters. Most amendments to Damoign's constitution have been done solely in the state legislature with no electoral input from voters.

The current law states amendments, "if they be put to the voters of Damoign, must receive a broad majority of votes in the affirmative thereof."

Some have suggested a 'broad majority' means a simple majority. Other's have said two-thirds of the vote (66%) or merely 60 percent. Opinions vary on the issue.

The matter is now remanded to the Damoign House Elections Committee and the Damoign Senate Governing Rules Committee for clarification.

In past elections and referendums, 60% has been the magic number, and a number of state senators and representatives suggested a 60% threshold would receive bipartisan support in the legislature, while at the same time invalidating Amendment 14.

"There's no question that 60% has been the ideal standard for the last 100 years, and I think Conservatives in the legislature will push that mark as the new codified standard," said state Senator Charles Andrews (C-Arnelleson).

The court's ruling puts the race for governor in limbo. Incumbent Gov. Jenna Duvan, a Nationalist, is hoping to run for a second consecutive term in 2020. She will now have to wait on the state legislature to make a decision.

The ruling throws a kink in Duvan's plans, and all the other candidates, because they don't know if Duvan will be able to run again for re-election or if she will have to step down and let someone new take her place.

For the sake of the candidates, the court asked the state legislature to make the matter of "urgent consideration."

"Certainly, it would be in the best interest of both political parties, both caucuses in the legislature, and all the prospective candidates to resolve this matter with the utmost expediency," Judge Charles Johnson wrote in his majority opinion.

Griffin Jenkins (N), the speaker of the Damoign House of Representatives, and Gerry Sianoupolous (N), the state Senate Majority Leader, said they will make sure the issue gets attention immediately.

"For the governor's sake, for the other candidates that are considering entering the race, it would be helpful if we could fix this technical issue sooner rather than later," said Speaker Jenkins.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Jenna Duvan said the governor is planning on running for re-election.

"Governor Duvan is working every day to benefit and help Damoignites, and she plans to continue her work in 2020 by running for re-election unless she is statutorily not permitted, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there," said spokeswoman Maryann Cady.

The top NAT candidate considering entering the race, should Amendment 14 be nullified and Duvan be barred from running for re-election, is former Gov. Rod Penora (N), who now serves as Attorney General, a position he held prior to his governorship from 2013-2017.

Other prospective NAT candidates include Secretary of State Rob Mercheck, Lt. Gov. Jeff Zeme, former Lt. Gov. David Armasson, Mattinow businessman John Brumley, and Assemblymen Bill Blair and Mark Ryutt.

On the Conservative, twice-unsuccessful gubernatorial nominee Mercer Diego has ruled out a third run.

Former Gov. Sid Hoffa is considered the leading Conservative candidate. Hoffa served as governor from 2009-2013.

Other CNS candidates include Assemblyman John DeGallio and Assemblywoman Pat Leemore.

Grassadellia City Mayor Kellan Kastol, an Independent, is also said to be considering running for governor, though the mayor has maintained his focus is on local issues, not state politics.

Marchenay governor signs anti-conversion therapy bill into law

NEWCASTLE, March. -- Children in Marchenay will no longer be able to receive conversion therapy, after Governor David Brown signed a bill banning the controversial practice Friday.

Conversion therapy is a form of mental health counseling that seeks to change a person's sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual. It's often encouraged and practiced by conservative religious groups, including Evangelical Christians, Jewish and Muslim groups, who view homosexuality as a sin and inconsistent with their respective doctrines.

Brown, a Conservative, said he normally does not like to inject himself into religious debates, but the issue of young people being harmed by counselors who promise to change the client's sexual orientation is too important to ignore.

"A person does not choose their sexual orientation. It's not simply a bad habit that can be changed or minimized, like alcoholism and drug abuse. People should be encouraged to live their true identities, and too many young people have taken their lives or attempted to because they were promised they could change when they simply cannot, and should not," said Brown.

The law received broad support from both major political parties. It was co-sponsored by openly gay state Delegate Scott Morrison (N-Farmerton) and state Senator Mike Grimsby (C-Weld), whose teenage son is gay.

Christian groups, along with Jewish and Muslim groups, were quick to criticize the bill's passage.

"Young people, especially teenagers who are just setting out on the long path of their sexual and relational journeys, if they so choose, should have the right, just like anyone else, to seek counseling from legitimate, licensed mental health professionals who choose to offer caring and compassionate therapy in a safe environment," said the Grassadellian Association of Christian Counselors, in a written statement following the bill's signing.

The Jewish Safe Harbor Foundation issued a joint statement with the Muslim non-profit A New Way Forward, with both organizations saying the law harms people of faith who want to change their sexual orientation.

"Just as the government should not compel people to be heterosexual, the government should also not compel people to be homosexual. That's effectively what this legislation does. It takes away the legally-protected right of young adults to find help and healing in their sexuality," the statement said.

Joel Baaken, an attorney with the Religious Liberty Foundation, a non-profit Christian legal group that defends churches and religious groups in legal matters, assailed the new law as an infringement on freedom of choice and freedom of speech.

"This law is basically telling people, 'the government disagrees with your opinion, the government is wading into the scientific and psychological debate surrounding sexuality and religion and the government disagrees with this line of thinking, so you can't obtain any counseling, even if it's voluntary.' That's a very scary place for our country to be in right now," said Baaken.

Meanwhile, the arguments from the other side were equally emotional.

"My teenage son wanted to kill himself because he couldn't reconcile his sexuality with our family's Christian faith," said state Senator Mike Grimsby, the leading Conservative who co-sponsored the bill. "When he finally told my wife and me he had secretly been receiving conversion therapy and it hadn't worked, it broke our hearts that he was trying to change who he was born to be."

Grimsby's son ended up embracing his sexuality, and his family was supportive, but "the damage was done," the senator said.

Scott Morrison, the NAT state delegate who co-sponsored the legislation, said he tried conversion therapy as a youth and remembered sobbing every night wishing he could change, as he was promised he could by his conservative Christian counselors.

"The emotional agony of trying to change your sexuality cannot be overstated. You live every day trying to change to become straight. You think, 'if I just pray hard enough, if I just read my Bible enough, if I surround myself with enough Christian friends, maybe I'll become straight.' But it doesn't work because it's not credible science, and so many young people become suicidal trying to change something that doesn't need changing," said Morrison.

The Grassadellia Association of Mental Health Professionals or GAMHP, lobbied in favor of the bill. The group has long been critical of conversion therapy, striking it from its manual of practices back in the early 1990s.

"The GAMHP believes strongly that conversion therapy is not rooted in science, is not effective, and is in fact harmful to patients," said the group's president, Dr. Mark Gregory.

The Grassadellian Human Rights Watch and The Love Campaign, two leading gay rights groups, praised the new law and lauded Gov. David Brown for supporting it.

Meanwhile, the Conservative Party's Evangelical members are deciding whether to challenge Brown in a primary election next year. Brown is up for re-election in 2018 in a state that leans to the centre-left NAT Party.

Melayna Lewis: 'We'll get 'em next time!'

NAT candidate hints at future run

SHANOGOWEE, Remm. – She lost a close race for the Senate, but dispatched NAT candidate Melayna Lewis hinted she’ll be back.

After conceding defeat to her Conservative opponent, Assemblywoman Shaylene McCullough, Ms. Lewis, a state representative from Shanogowee in southeast Remmington, tweeted “We’ll get ‘em next time!”, hinting she may be running for office again in the near future.

The curious tweet raised eyebrows, and left many speculating Ms. Lewis will challenge McCullough again in 2018, when Ms. McCullough will have to run for re-election to a full six-year term.

Sources in the national NAT party leadership say party elders are hopeful Lewis will run again in 2018.

“She’s our best shot at this point. She came very close, and with more money the next time around, NAT senators are hopeful we can get her elected,” said an aide to NAT Senate leadership, who asked not to be named because they weren’t permitted to speak to the media.

Lewis has said she will return to being a state representative for her district in Shanogowee, but refused to elaborate on her future plans.

McCullough wins Senate by-election, is first woman elected from Remmington

Conservatives retain seat in closely-watched race

 

REMMINGTON CITY, Remm. – History was made in Remmington Saturday night, as voters elected a woman to the Federal Senate for the first time in state history.

 

Shaylene McCullough (C), an assemblywoman from the Remmington City-based electorate of Benham, edged out a win over NAT candidate Melayna Lewis of Shanogowee.

Remmington Secretary of State Kimberly Welch reported McCullough taking 51% of the vote to Lewis' 49%, or 729,015 votes to 694,034, respectively.

Welch estimated turn out to be around 45%, much lower than during a normal election, which is typical for by-elections.

 

The two women had faced off in June against businessman and Democratic-Reformist candidate Jude Weimer, who finished last in what was originally a three-way race.

 

In accordance with Remmington law, the top two candidates advanced to a run-off election.

With control of the Senate almost evenly divided between the CNS and the NAT, both parties poured money and resources into the historic race.

During the campaign, McCullough, 48, cast herself as a reliable Conservative vote who would counter the liberal policies of the NAT’s new Senate Majority Leader, Damoign’s Debbie Madronas.

“The Nationalists have a majority in the Senate, and you and I both know with Debbie Madronas at the helm, with her in charge, we are in for a radically, far-leftist agenda,” said McCullough at a rally with the right-wing Bikers for the Constitution group in east Remmington City.

“I am the Conservative version of Debbie Madronas,” McCullough told the Remmington Star last month. “I’m a fiercely conservative woman, I’m a mom, a wife, a member of my church, I own a gun, I believe in the Constitution, I believe Grassadellia should have a strong military and be a world power that leads the world.”

Melayna Lewis, 42, intentionally steered clear of Debbie Madronas and the National NAT party, who both are unpopular in red-state Remmington.

A native of the city of Shanogowee in the southeast corner of the state, Ms. Lewis, a state representative, sought to highlight her conservative credentials while also drawing attention to pillar NAT issues, such as health care, education and pension reform.

“The problem with our politics in this country right now is you are demonized if you work with the other party. Compromise is seen as a weakness, not a strength. If you work with a senator from the opposing party, you are viewed as a traitor, as inauthentic, when in reality, compromise is exactly what we need,” she said in a campaign stop in rural Werlop County east of Remmington City.

“I’m a mom too, and I try to teach my kids that compromise and working together are fundamental to a strong family. We’ve lost that ideal in Mavocke,” said Lewis.

While they held many differences, there was common ground between the two candidates.

Both want to see a larger military with more recruiting and funding, both said they would fight to protect Demming Air Force Base in the north-central part of the state. And both said they want to see environmental restrictions by the federal government rolled back and more autonomy given to the states.

Though they had the eyes of the nation on them, neither candidate attacked each other personally, and campaign advertisements were largely positive. At a televised debate in Remmington City, both women shook hands and talked about their families.

“We’re both moms, we’re both wives, we’re both just normal everyday women who care about our country,” said Ms. McCullough.

She added that she would like to work with her rival in the future.

“If she were to get elected to the National Assembly, I would very much love to work with Melayna. She is a bright, articulate woman and we need more of those in Mavocke,” said McCullough.

Indeed, after conceding the race to McCullough, Ms. Lewis tweeted “We’ll get ‘em next time!”, hinting that she may run for office in the future.

Remmington Governor Jared Lanman, who held the Senate seat that will be held by McCullough, tweeted his congratulations to the senator-elect.

“Congratulations to my friend and colleague, @ShayleneMcCullough, for her historic win tonight!”

Lanman followed up with a second tweet, saying “We need more freedom warriors in the Senate!”

Several female Conservative senators also offered their congratulations.

“Delighted to see @ShayleneMcCullough elected in Remmington tonight. Looking forward to working with her,” said Veroche Sen. Kit McHenry.

Monomi Sen. Cathy De Beers also offered praise, saying McCullough will be a “strong Conservative voice for Remmington and all Grassadellians.”

Anger builds as allegations of racism, sexism among NAT senators become public

Scandal overshadows party's historic moment

MAVOCKE – The Nationalist Party (NAT) started the week with celebration as their party’s senators chose a female majority leader for the first time in Grassadellian parliamentary history.

But the celebration quickly faded when allegations of racism and sexism among the party’s senators were leaked to the media.

On Monday, the 46 NAT senators held a closed-door meeting to select their leader. Holding a closed-door meeting for members-only is standard procedure for both parties, which they traditionally do at the beginning of each new legislative term following an election.

The meeting was chaired by Interim Majority Leader Nadan Saralo (Wellington). The senators discussed their agenda for the 2017-2018 term and then heard nominations for the Senate’s most powerful position, Majority Leader.

When former Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (N-Lial) lost his bid for re-election in a close race in the 2016 general election, it left the NAT without a leader. Mr. Saralo, then-Assistant Majority Leader, took over as interim leader until the party could choose a replacement.Seven members, including two women, were nominated for the top post: Jean Chaveau and Debbie Madronas (both from Damoign), Joseph Milhaughley (Mar.), John Yannes (Ona.), Aaron Tobias Griffith (Ver.), Thomas O’Hearn (Wilk.), and Nadan Saralo (Well.)

No one but the members know exactly what happened inside the voting room, since no one else was permitted in the room at the time of the nomination process.

But two NAT senators – both who asked to remain anonymous because they fear reprisal from their colleagues – went to the media following the voting, and they had disturbing accounts of the voting process.

According to the two nameless senators, some of their fellow NAT colleagues reportedly refused to vote for Ms. Madronas and the other female candidate, Jean Chaveau, because they were women.

“There were some male members who point-blank said they would not vote for Debbie Madronas or Jean Chaveau because they don’t believe the majority leader position should be held by a woman. They think the majority leader should be a man. They had reservations about the two female candidates being ‘strong enough’ and ‘tough enough’ for the job,” said the one NAT senator, who added that he was “shocked” and “disgusted” that his colleagues would openly make such misogynistic comments.

And some of those same senators who opposed the female candidates said they didn’t want to vote for Mr. Saralo because he was not White.

“There were a couple members who said they didn’t want Nadan (pronounced “Nuh-Dawn”) to be leader because he’s not white, he’s Middle Eastern and they felt having a Middle Easterner leading the party would be a turn-off to voters. They wanted a Caucasian majority leader, they thought a Caucasian majority leader would be more accepted by the public,” said the other senator.

“I couldn’t believe my ears. This is not something I would expect to hear from Nationalist politicians. Conservatives, maybe. But this is not reflective of the Nationalist Party in 2017. We just don’t believe in the old gentlemen’s club where women have their place and minorities are barred from advancing. This is straight out of the 1950s,” said the same member, also a male.

The allegations, which were first reported by Capitol Hill correspondent Eric Mulven of the Mavocke Capitol newspaper, spread quickly in the traditional media outlets and online through social media.

The topic blew up on Facebook and Twitter, and reporters doggedly pelted NAT leaders with questions about the voting process and the alleged racist and sexist undertones from the unnamed members.

Asked about the matter, newly-selected Majority Leader Debbie Madronas said she believed the process was fair and did not believe racism or sexism played into the vote results.

“Right now, these are anonymous allegations. No names have been mentioned. It’s just hearsay at this point,” Ms. Madronas said in a Wednesday afternoon press appearance.

“Of course, I am deeply troubled by these allegations. If it’s true that some of our members were not voting for a candidate because of their gender or their race, that is extremely disturbing and completely unacceptable. But right now, these are just that: anonymous, unattributed allegations. There is no evidence at this time that this leadership vote was tainted by racism or sexism,” Madronas said.

She added that if evidence does turn up that members “said or expressed racist or sexist sentiment, I will take the necessary action and make sure it is dealt with appropriately and thoroughly.”

“I want to make it clear that the Nationalist Party is the party of diversity, of equality between genders and ethnic groups. One of our core tenets is diversity and inclusion, and if any member of the Nationalist Party expressed this kind of bigotry, whether it was serious or in a joking context, whether in public or private, it is completely unacceptable and we repudiate it and the members will be held to account to the party for their actions if evidence emerges,” she said.

Mr. Saralo, whose defeat surprised many colleagues and pundits, refused to say if he felt racist feelings may have caused some of his colleagues to vote against him.

“I think the vote has taken place, the members have spoken, they chose Debbie as their leader, and it’s time to move on. I think the men and women who comprise the NAT Senate caucus are incredible people and are incredibly accepting, good-hearted people who reject racism and misogyny.”Saralo added that “there’s always a little drama every time the senators vote for a new majority or minority leader. There’s always internal drama among the ranks, I don’t think it’s really a newsworthy story.”

Meanwhile, despite playing it cool in public and casting doubt on the accusations, NAT sources close to the situation say Mr. Saralo does believe some members voted against him because of his ethnicity. And Debbie Madronas is said to be privately furious, both at the nature of the allegations and also at the leaks to the press about the party’s hidden drama.

“When she spoke to the press, she was very calm, she acted like these allegations are just hearsay, gossip, drama drummed up by the media. But behind closed doors, she was livid and demanding to know who leaked this information and if the allegations were true,” said an NAT Senate staff member, who works closely with the majority leader’s staff.

Madronas, age 55, is an ardent feminist, and she has championed pro-women causes since the inception of her political career 25 years ago. She was the first female senator elected from the state of Damoign, and is one of the most influential senators in the chamber, having been so even before her promotion to majority leader.

She’s said to abhor misogyny, and has spoken publicly in the past about male politicians, even from her own party, treating her disdainfully, telling her to wear a skirt instead of pants, making sexual comments, and excluding her from key negotiations because she was a woman.

“I’ve had male congressmen just smile at me and tell me it’s a “gentlemen only” meeting and close the door in my face when I’ve tried to walk in to committee hearings. One male colleague touched my leg inappropriately. I’ve had male colleagues tell me I’m just a pretty face to make the party more appealing to women. I’ve seen this kind of rampant sexism in the world of politics first-hand, and I’m determined to eradicate it,” she said in a 1997 appearance on the Steve Quinn television show.

While the majority of the NAT’s lawmakers are progressive and forward-thinking on race and gender, there are some members, particularly those from conservative and rural states, who tend to be more traditional in their views and their voting records. But political positions and viewpoints do not make a member guilty of sexism or racism.

It’s unclear which specific senators made the alleged comments, but many Nationalists want the witch-hunt to end.

“We don’t want to point the finger at certain members and tar and feather them without any evidence,” said Madronas’ chief of staff, Josh Lindaugh. “So we are going to leave the matter where it is right now, reiterate that this kind of behavior and dialogue is not acceptable in the Nationalist Party and is repudiated and rejected in the most serious of terms, and we will move on to the important task of governing.”

Lindaugh added that NAT leaders would address the issue if more evidence emerges.

“Of course we are investigating it thoroughly, we don’t want even a hint of racism or sexism in our party,” he said.

The Conservative Party reacted to the scandal with mixed commentary.

Newly-elected Senate Minority Leader Jon Ralston (C-Ansleigha) issued a statement saying “regardless of party, this kind of sexist and racist conduct should not be tolerated in the Senate.”

“If these allegations are true,” Mr. Ralston said, “They should be condemned in the strongest of terms and the guilty parties should apologize and come forward and renounce their behavior and let us move past this.”

Ralston added that the alleged conduct is “beneath the decorum of the position we all hold.”

He also got a jab in about the apparent hypocrisy of the NAT Party.

“I hope the Nationalists condemn this sexism and racism as much and as forcefully as they condemn so-called ‘sexist and racist’ comments from Conservatives,” he said.

The senator elaborated, saying the NAT has “crucified” Conservative politicians for similar comments and behaviors.

“Let’s hope their indignation is equal when it involves their own members,” he quipped.

Conservative female senators also responded, expressing solidarity with their NAT female colleagues.

“We’ve all battled sexism in politics, & that’s why we continue today (both parties) to fight these kinds of attitudes that limit & disrespect women,” tweeted Kalnier Senator Shannon McCann, who was serving as Interim Minority Leader for the Conservatives, until Mr. Ralston was voted into the top spot.

The National Women's Coalition called the alleged behavior "indefensible," while the Arab League of Grassadellia said it as "deeply concerned xenophobia has infiltrated the highest ranks of the NAT party."

Majority Leader Madronas said she would address the issue in a special press conference later this week.

Third-party candidate threatens Conservatives' edge in Remmington Senate race

Democratic-Reformist candidate will siphon vote from Conservative, experts say

REMMINGTON CITY, Remm. – It should be an easy win for the Conservative party. A popular Conservative candidate running for a vacant Senate seat in perhaps the most conservative state in the country, facing a little-known NAT opponent.

When Senator Jared Lanman was elected governor in the 2016 general election during the middle of his Senate term, CNS leaders figured a special election to determine his replacement in the Senate would be a cake-walk for the Conservatives. But that was before Democratic-Reformist businessman Jude Weimer joined the race, turning a head-to-head match-up between the two major parties into an unpredictable three-way race.

The special election is less than two weeks away, and what should be an easy win for Conservatives is quickly turning into a panic attack.

Assemblywoman Shaylene McCullough, who represents the Remmington City-based electorate of Benham, is the Conservative torch-bearer. She beat back the better-known but more moderate Pierce Paeley, a former secretary of state, in the primary election.

On the NAT side, state Representative Melayna Lewis of Redmand clinched her party’s nomination, defeating three-time unsuccessful Senate candidate and former Iraq War veteran James Kensen of Winston.

Popular former Senator Matt Hoffbourn considered entering the race but declined, despite entreaties from top NAT officials.

With two women heading the two parties’ tickets, it appeared Remmington was poised to elect its first female senator in history. But at the last second before the filing deadline, Jude Weimer, a prominent businessman in Remmington City’s growing telecom industry, threw his hat into the ring.

Weimer has ran before for the Senate before, also as a Democratic-Reformist. In 2010, he narrowly lost another three-way race between he, then-incumbent James Owen-Wilson (N) and Conservative Mark Eisinger.

Weimer took 32% of the vote, impressive for a novice, third-party candidate, but Eisinger and Owen-Wilson advanced to the run-off election, where Eisinger ultimately prevailed.

So seven years later, Mr. Weimer finds himself back in politics. He passed on subsequent runs for the Senate, and he considered a run for governor in 2012 and 2016 but sat out each. Now is the right time for a third-party candidate, he told the Remmington Star.

“Right now in the Federal Senate, you have both parties with almost the same number of Senators. They’re evenly split. You’ve got about 45 career politicians in the Conservative party, and 45 career politicians in the Nationalist party. The people are yearning for someone who is not a career politician, not beholden to the two political parties, not beholden to special interest groups,” Mr. Weimer said, analyzing the political climate.

“I’m someone who has proven my independence time and time again, and I will stand up for the people of Remmington as an independent voice. I won’t be beholden to Jon Ralston (Senate Conservative leader) or Debbie Madronas (Senate NAT leader). I will answer to the people of Remmington and only the people of Remmington,” he said.

Conservatives don’t see it the same way, of course.

The McCullough campaign says Weimer, who used to be a Conservative before switching to the DR party, will siphon votes from voters who would otherwise vote for her.

“With Jude Weimer running, the conservative majority will split the vote. Some conservative voters will for Shaylene, some will vote for Weimer and Melayna Lewis will come out on top with the most votes,” said a McCullough campaign surrogate, who requested anonymity discussing the campaign’s concerns.

A source with the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee, the CNS campaign arm that funds candidates for the Senate, told the political blogger Zach Andrieu that the party is bracing for a loss in Remmington.

“A few months ago, we thought Jared Lanman’s seat would firmly stay in the Conservative column. Now, we’ll be lucky if we can hang on to it,” said the source, who also requested anonymity discussing the inner-conversations of the party leadership.

The panic among Conservatives may be premature, however.

Remmington state law requires a candidate to attain 50% plus one of the vote in order to be elected.

Most polls show Melayna Lewis leading the three-way race with roughly 40%, followed by McCullough with 35%-38%, and Weimer trailing with about 25 percent.

If those predictions hold true, and Weimer finishes last while Lewis wins a plurality but falls short of a majority, Ms. Lewis and Ms. McCullough would advance to a run-off race between the two of them.

With Weimer in the race, it could essentially just be adding a second round to the voting process. Whittling down from three candidates to two.

In fact, the most recent poll numbers from the race, which is garnering nation-wide attention as the two parties fight for a majority in the Federal Senate, show Lewis leading, followed closely behind by McCullough, and Weimer in a distant third.

The poll, commissioned by the Remmington-based Ace & Watkins polling firm, shows Lewis taking 41%, McCullough with 38% and Weimer with 21%, respectively. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 points.

 The Lewis campaign declined to comment for this story, but campaign spokesman Josh Hemming did tell Grassadellian Public Radio (GPR) that Jude Weimer’s entry into the race “presented new dynamics,” but he insisted Ms. Lewis is glad to have a second opponent, believing “the more voices being heard in the debate, the better quality of a discussion we will have,” said Mr. Hemming.

Both parties have spent millions on the race, and Mr. Weimer has a vast personal fortune he can tap for campaign funds.

But Remmington’s media markets are relatively cheap for advertising, and while it will be an expensive race, the final price tag will fall far shorter than expensive races during the general election 2016 season.

Pietrasaelis to travel to France to campaign for Marine Le Pen

Controversial CNS senator to campaign for far-right French presidential candidate

GRANTHAM, NP – She lost her seat in the 2016 Federal Senate election, but outgoing Senator Nadine Pietrasaelis (C) is still hitting the campaign trail.

It seems the bested senator is joining the campaign trail for a controversial foreign candidate.

Pietrasaelis confirmed to the GBC she will campaign in France on behalf of French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen.

A candidate of the National Front Party, an extreme, right-wing party known for its Euro-skeptic and anti-Muslim positions, Ms. Le Pen is leading in French polls for the first round of voting, although it’s unclear if she will be able to win in a head-to-head match-up with the centre-left candidate, Emmanuel Macron.

Ms. Pietrasaelis, who is known in Grassadellia for her anti-Islam views, met Ms. Le Pen during a trade visit to Paris in September 2016. They instantly had a connection, according to the senator.

“Marine told me she had read news articles about the work I was doing here in Grassadellia. We shook hands and she told me I was fighting a similar fight in Grassadellia, she encouraged me to keep up the fight,” Pietrasaelis told the GBC.

In a statement released on her Twitter account, the outgoing – and outspoken – senator said she will travel to France to campaign for Le Pen and the National Front at a dinner fundraiser.

“I have the wonderful honor of being invited to France for a campaign event for my dear friend and freedom soldier Marine Le Pen,” Pietrasaelis tweeted.

The event’s location and date have not been released yet, for security reasons, Pietrasaelis said.

“The liberal, politically-correct, establishment politicians would love nothing more than to cancel this event. And the radical Islamists would love to target it for their terrorist carnage. Because of that, I can’t release any more details at this time but please stay tuned,” she added.

Pietrasaelis recently conceded her Senate seat, after losing a close race with Nationalist Jean Larae Dowd.

After several rounds of counting and litigation, Ms. Dowd was declared the winner with 51% to 49% for Pietrasaelis.

Despite her defeat, Ms. Pietrasaelis told her impassioned supporters she is not done with politics and “will be back.”

“I got knocked out of the ring but I’ll be back out there in no time, just wait and see,” she said on election night.

The controversial senator has also been a strong supporter of US President Donald Trump.

The 54-year-old senator is also writing a new book, slated for publication in September 2017.

After incredibly close race and two recounts, Wilkonshire finally has a new governor

CNS candidate concedes after 'roller coaster' race

NEW DUNSLEE, Wilk. – Congratulations, you won the governorship.

No…wait…you didn’t...

Nevermind, you really did win after all.

That’s what Tom Durick, the Nationalist candidate for Wilkonshire governor, was told by the state’s elections overseer over the past almost two months.

Mr. Durick, a businessman from northeast Wilkonshire and political newcomer, was originally declared the victor in the incredibly close election between he and Christon Mayor Tara Hadley (C).

After more than two weeks of counting ballots, Wilkonshire Secretary of State Hannah Meade declared Durick the winner, reporting that he earned 50.06% to Ms. Hadleys’ 49.94%, or 2,125,807 votes to 2,120,132, respectively.

Durick held off declaring victory initially, but eventually said the numbers were firmly in his favor and subsequently held a “victory rally” with supporters in Bradford, the state’s second-largest city.

The very next day, Tara Hadley’s campaign and the Wilkonshire Conservative Party jointly-filed a lawsuit in Neighley County Superior Court in suburban New Dunslee, challenging election results in almost two dozen counties across the state.

“There is great concern that not every ballot is being counted, some ballots were counted incorrectly or perhaps more than once,” said Hadley campaign manager Tom Price. “We need to ensure the validity of this election, if not for Tara Hadley and Tom Durick but for the people of Wilkonshire, so they can have faith in the elections process.”

Secretary of State Meade told Judge Alan Bonano that the lawsuit was unnecessary because Wilkonshire state election laws required an automatic recount of votes if the difference between the top two candidates is less than one-half of one percent, as it was in this race.

The secretary of state’s office proceeded to administer a statutory recount of the votes, conducted by automated computerized counting machines.

Once the recount was completed, to the astonishment of observers on both sides, Ms. Hadley was confirmed the winner by a vote of 50.04% to 49.96%, or 2,151,976 votes to Durick’s 2,148,776.

Without missing a beat, the Durick campaign, with the help of the Wilkonshire Nationalist party and the Nationalist Governors Association (NATGA), filed a lawsuit in Engleton County Superior Court in suburban Christon, requesting a hand recount.

While more expensive to conduct than a machine recount, a hand recount is considered the most accurate (albeit time-consuming) method of counting ballots.

“I think what we both want is for all the ballots to be counted, whether it’s overseas ballots, absentee, provisional, etc. Both sides want to see the votes counted accurately and fairly,” said Mr. Durick at a news conference in Bradford on February 27.

Lead by Meade, the secretary of state, the hand recount took place and after accounting for additional overseas votes and provisional ballots that were later certified, Mr. Durick came out on top again, and was declared the winner for a second time.

The hand recount found Durick winning with 50.13% to 49.87%, or 2,182,799 votes to Hadley’s 2,171,167 votes.

That left Hadley with few legal recourses. She could appeal the decision to the Wilkonshire State Supreme Court, but that would prove costly, take a long time and would not ensure a victory.

After discussing the issue with her advisors and party leaders, Ms. Hadley decided to end her legal challenge and accept the results.

“It’s very painful to lose an election that is this close, especially after having won one version of the vote counting,” said a distressed Hadley at a Christon press conference Monday.

“But Wilkonshire needs a governor. The people of Wilkonshire want to know who their next governor is, the state agencies need to know for the sake of continuity, and the private industries need to know for the sake of planning. We need some closure on this issue, and that’s why I have decided that a lengthy, drawn-out legal fight with only a fifty-percent chance of winning would not be in the best interest of the state of Wilkonshire.

“I am ending my campaign’s legal challenge today, and I concede the race to Tom Durick,” said Ms. Hadley, looking visibly disheartened.

“This race has been extremely close, and it’s been a roller coaster from election night until now. But I have faith in our elections system. I think the secretary of state’s office did a fine job. I don’t think this was an issue of incompetence or errors in the process, but just the case of a very close election. Sometimes that happens. And we could draw it out further and keep fighting it in the court system, but that wouldn’t help the average Wilkonshirean, who is struggling to pay their bills. That would only create more political theater and drama. And I don’t want to win under those circumstances. If I won after a long court battle, I wouldn’t have a mandate anyway, it’d be very hard to get things done in Provincetown. So I feel this is the best decision,” said Hadley.

She added that she called Mr. Durick and he was gracious in victory.

“Tom was very nice, very respectful. He hasn’t always been that way through this campaign, but it’s politics. You say things you don’t mean. And I think our conversation earlier today was very warm, cordial and sincere. He wished me well, and I wished him well and I think we both meant it genuinely.”

Durick later publicly thanked Hadley for conceding and praised her for losing with dignity.

“A lot of politicians would have had a bit of a tantrum, but Tara is handling this with grace and poise, and she has been very gracious in her concession, and I thank her for her civility during this process,” said Durick. “This is a very emotional, very personal thing. Like Tara said, it really is an emotional roller coaster. It’s a lot of stress on you and your family and your staff. I think ending the legal fight now and accepting the hand recount results, which are the most accurate, is the best decision to make and I commend Tara for having conceded.”

The governor-elect added that it’s time to move on and get on with governing.

“I feel like we’ve lost a lot of time with this whole legal fight. I’m anxious to get to Provincetown and start governing, start tackling some of the issues that are so important to Wilkonshire families. We’re going to get to work immediately on building a strong economy, helping the unemployed, invigorating our cities and our transportation and infrastructure. There’s a lot of work to be done and I’m ready to get started on it. I hope the Conservative party will join with me and put this messy election behind us and unite for the sake of the people.”

Ms. Hadley did not comment on her future plans. She said she will continue in her role as mayor of Christon until the expiration of her term. And after that, “who knows,” she said.

“I think a nice, long, relaxing vacation in the Caribbean or some care-free tropical environment is definitely going to happen within the next few months,” said a laughing Hadley.

Cancer-stricken senator's wig falls off in crowded senate chambers, colleague helps fix her hair

Humiliating moment turns to inspiration

PROVINCETOWN, Wilk. – Imagine a woman who has cancer, trips and falls in a crowded room, her life-like wig falls off her head and she lies on the floor, injured and humiliated.

That exact scenario happened Friday to Judy Wycliff, a state senator from Norblin, Wilkonshire.

Ms. Wycliff has breast cancer and lost her hair three months ago.

While walking to the podium inside the state senate chambers to speak in support of a veterans bill, she suddenly tripped on a step and tumbled to the floor.

In the process, her wig, which looks surprisingly real, became dislodged from her head and fell off.

Not only was Ms. Wycliff injured – both her back and knee required medical attention later a hospital – she was also humiliated, lying on the floor of the state house “bald as an armadillo,” as she put it.

But that’s when something amazing happened.

First, Ms. Wycliff’s colleagues rushed to her aid.

Once it was determined she was okay, state Senator Ron Wiggins (C-Ansher) grabbed her wig and helped put it back on her head.

“I was crying and laughing but it was really so sweet what Ron and the others did for me. They came to my aid and not only helped me up but helped me re-compose myself and get my hair back in order. It was such a touching gesture,” Wycliff told the National Press Federation (NPF) afterward.

For his part, Mr. Wiggins said he only did what anyone else would have done.

“A lady trips and falls, you help her back up to her feet and help her with her hair, it’s just the decent, gentleman thing to do,” said Mr. Wiggins.

Once Ms. Wycliff readjusted her hair and rose to her feet, the entire chamber, including citizens watching in the gallery erupted in a standing ovation.

Waving and mouthing “thank you” to the crowd, Ms. Wycliff limped to the podium and gave her speech, but not before thanking the audience.

“What just happened here…that’s proof that the people in this body, the senators in this room…we are first and foremost humans. We are people who love each other and support each other. We may disagree on bills and policy, but at the end of the day, we have each other’s back, no matter what party you belong to.”

The inspiring story was trending on Facebook and Twitter, with over 2 million shares and re-posts.

Despite their intimate moment shared on the Senate floor, Wycliff was unable to persuade Wiggins to support her bill. The hard-line Conservative from northern Wilkonshire voted against Senate Bill 147, while Wycliff, a Nationalist from southern Wilkonshire, voted in favor.

The bill passed largely along party lines. It raises the state sales tax by one-tenth of one percent to help fund additional medical services for veterans. Nationalists argued the expanded hospital access for veterans was vital while Conservatives said the tax increase would harm citizens, including veterans.

It’s unclear if the bill will be signed into law, since the recent governor’s race between Conservative Tara Hadley and Nationalist Tom Durick is unresolved and being litigated in the Wilkonshire court system.

Wilkonshire Secretary of State Hannah Meade declared Durick the winner with 50.06% to Hadley’s 49.94%, or 2,179,806 votes to 2,174,160 votes, respectively. Durick has also claimed victory.

Hadley and the state Conservative party have filed a lawsuit seeking additional recounts. The state supreme court is expected to declare a winner in the next two weeks.

Conservative voters cross party lines, vote for Nationalist in Trinton run-off election

Many CNS voters were angry at DR candidate, voted for Nationalist instead

CRISTO COLONADO, Trinton -- Marcus Edinough, the son of the late former governor Tracey Edinough (C), has won Trinton's governorship in a special run-off election yesterday.

Mr. Edinough (pronounced "Ed-uh-now"), who served as lieutenant governor of Trinton for the last eight years, defeated Attorney General Troy Halver (N) 54%-46%, respectively.

Halver won the initial three-way contest, which also featured Conservative businessman Jim Valoix (pronounced “Vuh-loy”).

The attorney general took 38% to Edinough's 31.2% and Valoix's 31%, respectively.

Under Trinton law, a candidate must obtain a majority of the vote to be declared the winner, thus Halver and Edinough advanced to a special run-off election held this weekend.

A Conservative until 2009, the junior Edinough angered many in the CNS community when he switched to the Democratic-Reformist party in protest of the Conservative party's views on social issues, which he considered too extreme and far-right.

At the time, the junior Edinough said the party was unrecognizable compared to when his father was in office. He also said his father would not be affiliated with the modern Conservative party if he were still alive.

“I don’t think my dad would recognize the Conservative party of today, nor do I think he would want anything to do with it,” said the younger Edinough.

During his tenure as lieutenant governor, Mr. Edinough was known for criticizing both major parties for partisanship, though he sided more often with Nationalists on important legislation, further alienating him from Conservatives who were already angered at his public admonishment of the party.

Initially hesitant to run for governor, Mr. Edinough announced in June 2016 he would seek the state's top post because he felt there were no suitable candidates among the two major parties.

"The people of Trinton deserve a governor who is a strong leader, fiscally responsible and socially accepting. Right now, none of the candidates running in either party embody all three of those qualities,” he said at an August 2016 debate in the state’s capitol city, Cristo Colonado.

The outspoken lieutenant governor was a sharp contrast to Attorney General Troy Halver and wealthy businessman Jim Valoix.

Much maligned by Conservatives, Halver is known for his working-class roots and broad support in the labor community. He’s also a strong NAT partisan well-known for his bruising political tactics and insults against the CNS party.

Mr. Valoix, who ran for governor in 2012, fared worse this time around. Like 2012, his vast wealth became an issue, as both Halver and Edinough cast him as out of touch with the average Trintonian.

Mr. Edinough capitalized on Mr. Valoix’s affluence, saying the Port Alice businessman and grandfather couldn’t connect with every day Trintonians.

“It’s hard to tell someone you know what it’s like to struggle to pay the mortgage or buy groceries for your family when you are somewhere in the $200-$300 million income bracket,” said Edinough at a campaign rally in September 2016.

His criticism of Jim Lavoix was somewhat hypocritical, given Mr. Edinough is also a multi-millionaire businessman who lives in a tony, gated community in suburban Ocean City.

“I find it ironic that the lieutenant governor is attacking me for my wealth when he himself lives in a gated community in a 6,000 square foot house with a five-car garage,” said Valoix at the time.

The attacks on Mr. Valoix stuck, however, and he was eliminated from the race after finishing third, only roughly 5,000 votes behind Mr. Edinough.

During the run-off election, Marcus Edinough cast Troy Halver as young and immature (Halver is 44 years old). Pro-Edinough political action committees (PACs) also hammered Halver for his record of partisanship and divisive relations with the legislature.

In a bid to attract fiscally conservative voters, Edinough portrayed his NAT challenger as an irresponsible, tax-and-spend enthusiast who would bankrupt the state.

Halver hit back, calling Edinough a political opportunist with “not even half the talent of his dad,” the late governor, a stinging insult.

As the ivy-league-educated, family man with his father’s famous name, Edinough was favored to win the special election, and he did so by a comfortable 53.8%-46.2% margin.

What’s interesting, though, is the number of Conservative voters who crossed party lines to vote for Troy Halver, a Nationalist.

Not only is Halver a Nationalist, he’s not a centrist. He’s very much a mainstream Nationalist: progressive on labor and the economy, and liberal on social issues, the last person Conservative voters would typically support.

But according to exit poll interviews, Conservative voters actually preferred the liberal Troy Halver to the moderate Marcus Edinough.

Many viewed Edinough as a traitor for leaving the CNS party.

“He changed parties for political opportunism, so what’s to say he won’t break his promises for his own personal, political benefit too?” said 67-year-old Glenn Rover, a Conservative voter from Narkin County in southern Trinton.

Jo Mills, 66, a Conservative voter from Dennis County on Trinton’s southern coast, said she voted for Halver “because at least you know what you’re getting with Troy Halver.”

“With Edinough, who knows what he’ll do when he gets into office. He might change parties, he might change platforms, he might do the exact opposite of what he’s campaigned on. I’ve lost all trust in the man. I don’t believe a word he says,” said Mills.

The revolt against Edinough wasn’t just older voters. Ryan Heckman, a 21-year-old junior at University of Trinton in Kinslerville, said he voted for Halver because the latter seemed more genuine and down-to-earth.

“Marcus Edinough seems kind of arrogant. He seems like an intellectual elite who looks down on the common people. I’m not a huge fan of Troy Halver, but he seems like a regular guy,” said Heckman.

In one exit poll conducted by the Golden Shore Tribune newspaper, a full 20% of self-identified Conservative voters said they voted for Halver. That’s impressive given the state has more than twice as many registered Nationalist voters as Conservatives.

The cross-over number was particularly high in rural counties in western and southern Trinton, territory that is usually solidly in the CNS column.

Voter turn-out was much lower in those counties as well, another sign of low voter enthusiasm.

Despite the cross-over effect, Edinough won 16 of the state’s 19 counties, including the most populous, Oceanview County. He received his biggest majority in Coritz County, which is home to the state capitol Cristo Colonado.

Coritz County has the most college-educated citizens per capita in the state, further proof that Edinough did well among voters with a college degree but struggled in the less-educated rural reaches of the state.

Halver performed best in working-class Merceda County in central Trinton and in his native Grandley County, home to the city of Tornboro, another working-class and union stronghold.

Interestingly, no prominent Conservatives in Trinton publicly endorsed Mr. Edinough, while Mr. Halver was quietly endorsed by most prominent Nationalists in the state.

Marcus Edinough will succeed Mark De Auonne (N), who served two terms and stepped down due to term limits.

Mr. Edinough has already said he will choose a cabinet that is bipartisan, with both Nationalists and Conservatives filling the state’s top positions.

“We’re charting a new course starting today,” Edinough said on the steps of the capitol in Cristo Colonado. “Trinton is moving forward, and we’re doing it by working together, both political parties coming together, politicians rolling up their sleeves and building compromise and consensus that works for all Trintonians.”