DeGallio drops out of Damoign governor's race, endorses Tyker

TOLSTON -- Another Conservative candidate has dropped out of the Damoign governor's race.

After the latest round of voting Tuesday, Assemblyman John DeGallio of Tolston announced he was ending his campaign.

"There is no way I can win the nomination at this point," he conceded in a small press conference outside his district office.

"But there are still four candidates left who have a shot at winning, and I want to help clear the way for Brian Tyker," said DeGallio.

Tyker is a young assemblyman from south-central Damoign. Both he and DeGallio are strong social and fiscal conservatives.

"While I respect Secretary [Bob] Austin, and I think he would make a great governor, I think Brian Tyker is the best choice to represent our party in December. He's young, he's got energy, he's got the ability to bring people together, and he has the ability to go toe-to-toe with Jenna Duvan," said DeGallio.

Sources close to DeGallio say he considered endorsing former National Security Secretary Bob Austin, but ultimately decided on Tyker.

DeGallio was less inclined to endorse former Governor Sid Hoffa or Assemblywoman Pat Leemore, both who are more socially moderate.

DeGallio's exit from the race does clear the way somewhat for Tyker, who will be the only social conservative in the race.

However, as of Tuesday night, 59% of the state's registered Conservative voters had already cast ballots, and Tyker remained in fourth place with 14.4 percent.

Austin remains in first place, with 18.9%, while Hoffa and Leemore follow with 17.4% and 17.1%, respectively.

DeGallio was in a distant fifth place with nine percent.

Businessman Rob McCann remains in the race and has ignored calls for him to drop out, even though he trails significantly with only seven percent.

State Rep. Andrew Liang, former Treasury Department official Kim Camden, and businessman Rob Poldashi have already ended their campaigns.

Liang endorsed Tyker, Camden is backing Leemore and Poldashi has thrown his support to McCann.

Though the majority of ballots have already been cast, with the race as close as it is, much could still change in the coming weeks as the remaining counties hold elections.

Convicted murderer set to receive death penalty, Monomi governor declines to grant clemency

TRIETON -- A convicted killer is slated to be put to death in Monomi Wednesday night.

Brutus A. Conlin, 39, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection at the Monomi State Prison in Lombard.

Death penalty opponents had urged Monomi Gov. Will Huxton to intervene and grant Conlin clemency, but a spokesperson for Huxton said the governor will not intervene.

"Gov. Huxton has reviewed Mr. Conlin's case and has determined there is not sufficient reason to warrant clemency in his case," said the governor's office.

Conlin was convicted of fatally shooting two clerks at a south Trieton convenience store in 1997 during a robbery. He later admitted to the crime and said he had no remorse.

He was sentenced to death by a Kingfisher County jury in 1998.

Multiple appeals to the Monomi Court of Appeals and the Federal Supreme Court were rebuffed.

The Federal Supreme Court declined to grant a stay Wednesday afternoon.

Conlin will be the first person to receive the death penalty in Monomi since 2016.

Liang, Camden drop out of Damoign governor's race

GREENEWOOD, Dmg. -- About a third of votes have been cast in the Damoign Conservative governor's primary race.


Fifteen of the state's 48 counties have voted so far, and the results have been disappointing for state Rep. Andrew Liang (Eastholm) and former Treasury official Kim Camden.

Both garnered just over 7 percent of the votes, far behind front-runners Bob Austin, Sid Hoffa, Pat Leemore and Brian Tyker.

Liang, a little-known state representative from Eastholm, announced he would end his campaign for governor and will instead seek the state's lieutenant governorship.

"The path the governorship is a very difficult one, but the path to becoming lieutenant governor is a lot more doable," said Liang, at a campaign rally in his hometown neighborhood of Nelly, Eastholm.

The 37-year-old, Chinese-Grassadellian brought a much-needed bit of diversity to the Conservative race. All other candidates are white, and only one woman is left in the race.

If Liang wins the CNS primary for lieutenant governor, he'll face incumbent Lt. Gov. Jeff Zeme (N) in December.

Also dropping out of the Conservative governor's race today was Kim Camden, who served in the Treasury Department under former President Dan Byelle.

Camden, 44, had never ran for office before. The Daintree mother of three was hoping her experience at the federal level would win her votes with pragmatic Conservatives who want a "nuts and bolts" governor.

"It just didn't turn our way," said Camden, at a small gathering with supporters in Daintree, an upscale suburb west of Grassadellia City.

Camden will end her campaign, and will instead consider running for the National Assembly or for secretary of state. She is also considering running for local office in the western suburbs.

"It didn't work out this time, but there are plenty of elections to come, plenty of races ahead, so this is not the end for me or for Andrew Liang by any stretch of the imagination," she said.

Neither Liang or Camden have said which candidate they will endorse.

With about a third of votes cast so far and 15 of the state's 48 counties having voted already, former National Security Secretary Bob Austin leads the race with 18%, followed closely by former Governor Sid Hoffa (17%), Assemblywoman Pat Leemore (15%) and Assemblyman Brian Tyker (14%).

Vote Totals - Damoign Conservative Gubernatorial Primary Election (34% of votes cast)

- Robert Austin     18%     127,741 votes
- Sid Hoffa            17%     120,488
- Pat Leemore       15%     108,704
- Brian Tyker        14%     103,126
- John DeGallio    11%       77,534 
- Andrew Liang      7%       51,971
- Kim Camden        7%       51,112
- Rob McCann        7%       47,485
- Rob Poldashi        3%       20,185

 

Brian Tyker says wife was 'not happy' after he joked about Jenna Duvan's sexy outfits

COLUMBUS, Dmg. -- Earlier this week at a Conservative debate, candidates for governor were asked about Damoign Governor Jenna Duvan's wardrobe.

A former model, Duvan is known to wear mini skirts, stilettos and tight blouses. Her outfits have drawn criticism from pro-family politicians, who say her clothing choices are inappropriate for a governor.

During the Conservative gubernatorial debate, Assemblyman Brian Tyker garnered attention when he jokingly said he had "no complaints" about Duvan's outfits and that she "looks great."

Women's rights activists called out Tyker for comments they say objectify women for their appearance.

"Brian Tyker and other male politicians belittle women when they evaluate them and judge them only on their appearance and what type of sexy clothing they wear," said Alanna Johnson, a prominent women's rights activist from New Upton.

Tyker was forced to address his comments today. Multiple reporters asked if he regretted his comments.

"Some people are saying your comments about Jenna Duvan's appearance and her outfits were sexist, demeaning to women and objectifying. Do you agree your comments were inappropriate and do you regret them?" reporter Danisha Rusha asked.

"My comments were stupid," Tyker admitted. "They were meant as a joke, but they were stupid. I shouldn't have made them."

His comments were not inappropriate, however, he said.

"I don't think they were objectifying or demeaning to women. All I meant was the governor is attractive and she dresses nicely. I'm a man. When I see attractive women, I notice. But my comments were meant with disrespect, they were meant to be a light-hearted joke," the assemblyman said.

Tyker's wife was "not happy" with his comments, however.

"She did not appreciate that part of the debate, and rightfully so. It was disrespectful to her. And for that I do regret what I said."

Tyker is not the first politician to be criticized for "sexist" comments related to Jenna Duvan.

Businessman John Brumley, a Nationalist who briefly flirted with running against Duvan in the NAT primary, came under fire in August 2019 for saying Damoign needed a governor with "less vanity" who "isn't focused on image and celebrity" but on the issues.

Allies of Duvan called out Brumley at the time for his comments, which they perceived to be sexist.

Duvan has said little about her wardrobe, only making jokes at campaign rallies.

"Is this outfit appropriate, what do you think?" she playfully asked the audience at a campaign rally in Eastholm last month.

The governor also raffled off a pair of her stilettos for charity last month. The name-brand, custom-designed shoes sold for $140,000 to an anonymous buyer.

Mercer Diego endorses Brian Tyker for Damoign governor

MATTINOW, Dmg. -- Damoign's most prominent Conservative has made an endorsement in the party's crowded field of gubernatorial candidates.

Mercer Diego, a former lieutenant governor and two-time failed candidate for governor, endorsed Assemblyman Brian Tyker over the weekend.

Tyker's campaign released a video on Facebook of the two men meeting at Tyker's home in Stoltschwin County, south of Grassadellia City.

In the video, the two are seen shaking hands, while Diego puts his arm around Tyker and offers praise for the young assemblyman.

"I've known Brian Tyker for years, he's a good man, a good husband, dad, and he will make a great governor for Damoign," says Diego.

Tyker thanked Diego for his support, calling him the "father of the Conservative Party in our state."

Though he lost two back-to-back races for governor, Diego remains immensely popular among Conservatives, many who feel he was robbed, as he narrowly lost both races to controversial NAT opponents.

Diego's endorsement is a major feather in Tyker's camp. There are currently nine candidates in the running for the CNS party's nomination for governor. A high-profile endorsement from a popular figure might help solidify Tyker's status as a major contender.

The front-runner in the race so far appears to be Assemblywoman Pat Leemore of Bragdon County.

Leemore is a noted moderate, and in a salty statement, a spokesman for her campaign said she never expected to receive Diego's endorsement.

"Quite frankly, Mercer Diego represents the past. He ran for governor twice and lost both times. If we want to look to the future, we should look to Pat Leemore and other pragmatic Conservatives instead of failed hardliners who alienate independents," said spokesman Jared Walsh.

Tyker, who is younger and more socially conservative, is among the top four candidates, polls show. Former National Security Secretary Robert Austin and businessman Rob McCann hold second and third place, respectively, according to recent polling.

Rounding out the top five is Assemblyman John DeGallio of Columbus.

Polls show former Governor Sid Hoffa is struggling to break into the top tier.

Diego's endorsement of Tyker is especially damning for Hoffa, who served as governor with Diego while the latter served as lieutenant governor.

Additionally, Hoffa enthusiastically supported Diego's first run for governor in 2012.

Hoffa was somewhat reluctant to support Diego when he ran a second time in 2016, but the former governor finally came around and campaigned for Diego.

"Mercer Diego endorsing Brian Tyker is a huge slap in the face to Sid Hoffa," said former Conservative Party official Brian Mitchell, who worked for the party during Hoffa's tenure.
"It's as if Mercer Diego has forgotten about all the work and campaigning and support Hoffa gave him over the last decade."

The two men were never close. Hoffa has long been a moderate, while Diego has been an outspoken social conservative.

Still, Mitchell said, the two men enjoyed a close friendship at one point, and they served well together.

"I think 2016 is when their relationship started to turn. Sid Hoffa waited until the very last second to endorse Mercer Diego. Hoffa wanted to see another candidate run instead, he was concerned Mercer would lose a second time around. And he did," said Mitchell.

Asked by reporters Monday night about the snub, Hoffa said Diego's endorsement is "his alone to make."

"Mercer has every right to endorse who he wants. Obviously, he feels another, lesser-known candidate is the better choice. I respectfully disagree with him. But that's the beauty of this country, we can disagree and have our own opinion," said Hoffa.

Diego released a statement also, saying through a spokesperson that he was throwing his support to Tyker because the assemblyman "champions conservative, family values, has the youth and energy to be governor, and will foster a pro-business environment in the state."