McCann, Hoffa disavow white nationalist supporters

CROWDERVILLE, Damoign -- He only won about six percent of the vote in the Damoign gubernatorial primary election.

But libertarian businessman Rob McCann outlasted better-funded and better-known candidates in the CNS primary, and he won six counties.

He ultimately lost to former Grassadellia City Mayor and Damoign Governor Sid Hoffa.

But new reports show much of McCann's support came from white nationalist voters.

Several white nationalist leaders posted their support for McCann on social media, and a local newspaper reporter traveled to a rural commune of right-wing, off-the-grid white supremacists in the mountains of southern Damoign. McCann campaign signs were prevalent in the area.

Crowderville's largest newspaper wrote a special piece on the issue - white nationalism in Damoign, and how its supporters coalesced around a libertarian candidate.

The investigation by the newspaper found no evidence that Mr. McCann, a wealthy businessman from the southeastern suburbs of Grassadellia City, knew he was being supported by white nationalist leaders.

McCann's campaign never knowingly took money from white nationalists.

And it appears McCann's campaign had no contact with known members of the white supremacist community.

But critics from the NAT and even some Conservatives say McCann's pro-libertarian and anti-government positions resonated with the small but active group of white supremacist and anti-government activists.

"I don't think Rob McCann is a white supremacist. I don't think he's an end-days doomsdayer. But his campaign positions and messaging really hit home with a lot of those types of people," said one political consultant, who asked for anonymity so as to speak candidly.

McCann has never espoused racist ideology. In fact, he's spoken out strongly against it.

And this week he was forced to condemn it again.

"I have never been involved in white supremacy. I don't know anyone involved in white supremacy, and I have no desire to know anyone involved in white supremacy," said McCann in a radio interview from his home.

"Racism is awful, it's terrible, it has no place in society, and if those types of people voted for me and supported my campaign, then I would reject their support," said McCann.

CNS nominee Sid Hoffa was also asked about the possibility of white nationalists supporting McCann and ultimately supporting Hoffa's campaign.

"Look, Damoign is a diverse state. We have people from every walk of life, every color, every religion here in this state. Racism has no place. We will not tolerate white supremacy in our state and among our campaign. I flat out will reject any attempt or effort by these white nationalist people to support my campaign. I don't want their support, I don't want their vote, I don't want their donations."

Asked to comment, incumbent Gov. Jenna Duvan, a Nationalist who is seeking re-election in 2020, said she was "disturbed" by reports of white nationalists endorsing Conservative candidates.

"I can tell you, I know Sid Hoffa, he is not a racist. I don't know Mr. McCann, but I have no reason to suspect he is a racist. I think both of them are good people who don't hold these views. But it is highly disturbing that we have these groups endorsing Mr. McCann's campaign and now potentially Sid Hoffa's. And I think Sid and Rob McCann have a moral responsibility to call these 'supporters' out publicly and condemn them," said Duvan.

In addition to publicly condemning white supremacy, McCann and Hoffa announced the state Conservative party would investigate the claims. The party is also asking for an official legislative inquiry into white nationalism in Damoign.

Since the early 1900s, the rural, mountainous regions of southern and western Damoign have been hotbeds for white supremacist groups. Though their presence has greatly diminished since the 1970s, several groups and individuals remain active.

A spokesperson for the Crown Police said the agency is constantly monitoring extremist cells and groups across the country, and would continue to monitor the state's known groups.

Deetch says BLM protesters should be ran over

PARKINS, North Ceona -- Former Senator and current candidate for North Ceona governor Pete Deetch is making controversial comments again.

In the past, he's made disparaging remarks about women and minorities.

Now he's going after protesters participating in the Black Lives Matter movement.

Since the May 25 death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by police in the United States, US cities have been caught up in both peaceful and violent protests.

Those protests spread to the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Grassadellia.

While the protests have largely been peaceful, some demonstrations have turned violent, with many cities having bloody clashes with police, and rioters vandalizing businesses and looting from stores.

In Grassadellia, there have been large protests in virtually every medium-to-large sized city, but violence and looting have only been an issue in 10 metros: Grassadellia City, Mavocke, Maine City, Madagen, Monvaille, Lanakis, Lansdale, Bradford, Berivian and Trieton.

And while the protests in his own home state of North Ceona were largely peaceful, former Senator Pete Deetch was very candid about his thoughts on the protests.

"I think the police ought to get in their car and put it in drive and take out a few of those protesters," said Deetch at a campaign meeting on Lawton's south side.

"If these guys want to throw rocks and bottles and smash windows and light cars on fire and attack police cars with baseball bats, then maybe we need to get a little more firm with these people."

Deetch added that "we can't have lawlessness and thugs taking over the streets of our cities."

His comments were immediately condemned by leading Nationalist politicians and even some Conservative colleagues.

Deetch later said he was "joking, of course." But he doubled-down on his comments on keeping law and order.

"I will be damned if I let these radical, left-wing extremist nut jobs take over neighborhoods and cities in this country. I'll be damned if I will let them loot stores and destroy businesses.

"It's the job of the governor to help maintain the peace, and if that means calling in the National Guard, that's what these governors and mayors and the president ought to be doing," said Deetch.

Deetch's fellow Conservative candidates widely criticized his comments.

"Extreme. Inappropriate. Unbecoming comments of a governor," wrote former Senator Ty Jaimeson.

Nationalist candidate Elizabeth Graham said Deetch's comments were "appalling but sadly not surprising."

Asked to clarify his comments later, Deetch told a local news reporter he was "obviously joking" and that people are too sensitive.

"The political correctness in this country has gotten out of control, and we're going to fix that when I'm elected governor," he said.

Deetch is locked in a tight Conservative primary against Jaimeson, Secretary of State Bill Stacey, state Senator Randy Kartchener and businessman Tony Raynor.

The winner of the CNS primary will face either Nationalist Senator Elizabeth Graham or former Attorney General John Ennis.

Jamber, Baxter jump into Trinton governor's race

WILLIAMSTOWN, Tri. -- The crowded race for Trinton's governorship got more crowded today.

Assemblyman Tom Jamber, a centrist Nationalist from the north shore, announced his candidacy. He'll face former Attorney General and 2016 NAT nominee Troy Halver in the September 1 primary election.

On the Conservative side, former Senator Greg Baxter, who lose re-election in 2014, threw his hat into the ring.

Baxter will face another former senator, Kelsey Frascanio, as well as former gubernatorial nominee Jim Valoix, and current Assemblymen Bryan Kim and Mark Bronure.

Halver has a significant money edge over Jamber, but many NAT party elders are unenthused about his candidacy.

Having lost the 2016 election to Democratic-Reformist Marcus Edinough, some feel Halver is not strong enough to beat Edinough in 2020.

Halver has also come under fire from the progressive wing of the party for his more conservative views on the environment, police accountability and crime.

Though he is starting later and has less money, Jamber is more popular among a wider swath of the NAT party. Surrogates of his campaign say the assemblyman from the northern suburbs of Williamstown is a pragmatic leader; progressive enough to satisfy left-wing voters, but moderate enough to not alienate independent and conservative voters.

Jamber told the National Press Federation (NPF) he's running because he feels Marcus Edinough, Troy Halver and the CNS candidates are too conservative.

"Trinton is a Nationalist state. We have twice as many Nationalist voters as Conservative. And yet, our current governor, while he is progressive on some issues, remains very conservative on other issues. Troy Halver is not a mainstream Nationalist, he's quite conservative on many issues also. And the CNS candidates are extremely conservative," said Jamber.

"We need a governor who has strong, reliable, predictable Nationalist values. Someone who will lead our state in line with what the majority of voters want," he added.

Greg Baxter left office in 2014, having lost re-election to the NAT's Grace Kemp.

Since then, the former senator has worked in the private sector as a security analyst and consultant.

He told the Golden Shore Tribune newspaper he decided to run for governor because he felt the other candidates are not strong enough to defeat Marcus Edinough and Troy Halver.

"I have nothing but respect for Kelsey Frascanio and Jim Valoix and Bryan Kim and Mark Bronure. But I don't think any of them can win. That's why I decided to run. We need a winning candidate. They are fine people but we need a strong, tough candidate who can win and who can take on either Halver or Jamber, and Edinough."

According to Trinton law, a candidate must receive at least 40% of the popular vote in order to be elected governor.

If no candidate attains at least 40% of the vote, the top two candidates will advance to a run-off election.

Polling has consistently shown Nationalist Troy Halver winning a plurality in a three-way race against incumbent Gov. Marcus Edinough (DR) and Conservative candidates. However, every poll has found Halver falling short of the 40% minimum required to win out-right.

Because Jamber and Baxter just entered the race, polling on them has been limited.

It appears likely, however, that no matter who wins for each party, a run-off election is virtually guaranteed to ensue.

Asked about the developments in the race, Edinough told reporters he was aware of Jamber's entry into the race, but the governor said he was unaware Baxter even living in Trinton still.

"I haven't seen or heard anything from Greg Baxter since he lost in 2014. I wasn't even aware he was still living in the state," said a surprised Edinough.

The governor added he was surprised by the "volume" of candidates this election, but he is confident he will win re-election.

"The people of Trinton elected me twice as lieutenant governor, they elected me last time as governor. I think most Trintonians agree with me that both of the major parties are fundamentally flawed."