REMMINGTON CITY -- Businessman Jude Weimer announced his candidacy for Remmington's governorship on Saturday.
Weimer (pronounced "Why-mur"), is a self-made millionaire who previously ran unsuccessfully for Federal Senate under the Democratic-Reformist Party in 2010.
He's seeking the governorship because he says Remmington's incumbent governor, Conservative Jared Lanman, has lost his way.
Lanman admitted back in March to an extramarital affair, and has faced calls from fellow Conservatives to either step down as governor or to not seek re-election in the fall.
But the governor, who has served as governor since winning a special election in 2016, has refused calls to resign or stand down.
He announced in April he would, in fact, seek a third (but second full) term.
"I have made mistakes in my personal life, and I admit that and own that," Lanman said at a campaign press conference. "But my personal life is my personal life, it does not affect my ability to be governor and to lead our state."
Lanman added that he and his wife Hannah are "working through" his infidelity. The two remain married, and neither has filed for divorce, though Lanman admitted their relationship was going through a "rocky period."
Weimer said his candidacy is not just about Lanman's personal problems.
"That's a factor," Weimer said of Lanman's affair.
"But I'm running also because we just need new leadership, fresh leadership in Remmington City," he added.
Many Conservative party leaders, including current Lieutenant Governor Raqual Marquez, had called on other top-name Conservative candidates to challenge Lanman.
Marquez herself has been mulling a run, although she has been accused of bullying and abusive behavior toward her staff and members of the state legislature.
Some possible contenders who could still run are former Governor Jen Stevens, Federal Senator Curt Blaisek, Attorney General Andy Kirkpatrick and Secretary of State Kimberly Welch.
The Nationalist side is still uncertain.
Former Federal Senator Matt Hoffbourn could run again. He narrowly lost to Lanman in 2016.
Jim Weatherby, a state senator from Shanogowee and the party's nominee in 2018, could also run again.
Former Remmington City Mayor Graham Alton and Shanogowee businessman Dale Lucie are also considered possible contenders on the NAT side.
Remmington is considered once of the most conservative states in the country, but moderate NAT candidates have had some success, while hardline liberal candidates usually are soundly rejected.
Lis Helpin, chair of the Remmington Nationalist Party, expressed optimism at the party's chances in this year's election, given Lanman's scandal.
"If there's ever a year for Nationalists to have a shot, it's this year. We have a governor in disarray following his personal issues being released and revealed to the public, and we have an economy that is not great while he's presided over it, we also have a lieutenant governor who is in the tank with voters over abusive and unprofessional conduct, so this may very well be a great golden opportunity for Nationalists to step up and lead."
Expectedly, Remmington Conservative Party Chairman Caleb Elmech played down Helpin's commentary.
"Yes we have had some uncertainty on the Conservative side this year. But a few bumps in the road are normal during a campaign, and the voters of Remmington are going to remember that the Nationalist Party is running in the show nationally. This is Jim McCaren's economy, with gasoline at six dollars a gallon and milk at almost four dollars a gallon. This is Debbie Madronas' economy. The Nationalists are in charge in Mavocke, they control our nation's government. Nationalists shut down the economy during COVID and stripped Grassadellian citizens of their God-given Constitutional rights. And the voters will remember that. It was Conservatives like Governor Jared Lanman who did NOT shut down the economy and who let Remmingtonians have their freedom, and the voters will remember that too."
Weimer agreed that Nationalists are to blame for the economic downturn, but he reiterated that new blood is needed in the governor's mansion.
"I agree that the NAT has put our economy on a cliff. There's no doubt about that. But that doesn't change the fact that we need accountability and authentic leadership in Remmington City."
The Lanman campaign responded by email, calling Weimer a "faux-Conservative" and a "political opportunist."
"Jude Weimer is not even a real Conservative. He ran for office in the past as a Democratic Reformist candidate. He's been openly critical of the Conservative Party. He's been hostile toward Conservative ideals, and he is not a good fit for Remmington."
Remmington's primary election will be held on September 6.
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