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."
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."
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