Governors races are a mixed bag for both parties amid difficult economy

DAYLE-LOCKE, NP -- While Conservatives have the edge in the upcoming 2022 elections, Nationalists have a few bright spots.

The Conservative Party, for months, held a solid lead in opinion polls.

But recent polls conducted for a slew of governor's races show a more mixed bag for both parties.

Pierre Carten, a Nationalist from Wellington, has a slight lead over his Conservative opponent Bob Kozzy in the Plains State's governor's race.

Carten leads 51% to Kozzy's 49 percent, according to a new Prairie Stats poll released Sunday.

That's still within the margin of error, but it's a boost for Carten, a former governor who is seeking to reclaim his old position. Kozzy led in the polls all summer long.

In Carova, Nationalist Senator Dan Sallovich leads incumbent Conservative Governor Dan Wainwright in another race that previously favored Conservatives.

The poll, conducted by the Carova Statesman newspaper, finds Sallovich with 51% to Wainwright's 47 percent.

In Monomi, incumbent Conservative Will Huxton is in critical danger of losing his position.

In a poll released yesterday by the University of Monomi and the Trieton Sun, trails Nationalist Nathan Lister and Independent/Working Families candidate Scott King in the three-way race.

Lister holds a decisive lead with 37%, King with 31% and Huxton with 30 percent.

Because Monomi law requires a candidate receive a majority of the vote, a run-off election between the top two candidates is almost certain to happen after the general election. It's still possible Huxton may secure the second spot in the run-off, but the poll shows he is in peril.

It's not all bad news for Conservatives though.

While their national lead has slipped a bit in recent weeks, they still have a slight upper hand in Kalnier, where former Governor Tony Ritonio is ahead of NAT incumbent Nick Hall.

In that poll, conducted on behalf of the Lamberth Regent newspaper, Ritonio leads Hall 51%-47 percent, respectively.

East Deschire Governor Val Hennemott (N) also lags behind Attorney General Mark Ellsworth (C), who holds a similar 51%-47 percent lead in the latest Hansboro Laureate poll.

Marchenay Governor Dan Rattner (N) is also falling behind his Conservative opponent, state Senator Mike Shannon. The Madagen Royal Tidings newspaper poll shows Shannon with 50% to only 47% for Rattner.

And in New Portsmouth, Nationalist incumbent Welma Sidley was considered a shoo-in for re-election.

But a poll released Tuesday by the nonpartisan Grantham Institute shows Conservative activist and radio host Barry Newkirk only three points behind Sidley, a former attorney general.

Sidley is in the lead with 51% to Newkirk's 48 percent, respectively.

The CNS also holds an advantage in POG, Onakiah and South Ceona's gubernatorial races.

No recent polls have been held in Remmington since former NAT Senator Matt Hoffbourn announced his candidacy. He will face a three-way race against CNS incumbent Jared Lanman and Democratic-Reformist businessman Jude Weimer.

That race is considered a toss-up.

In the Federal Senate, Conservatives appear poised to gain between five to seven seats, though the NAT could pull out a narrow win in several of those races.

The latest aggregate polling shows a decisive advantage for the CNS in parliamentary races, but a closer fight for the 13 governorships that are up for grabs.

Both North Ceona Gov. Ty Jaimeson (C) and Armana Gov. Leandra Kemmes (N) expressed optimism about their party's chances in the governors races.

"Nationalists have to run against a terrible economy, record-high inflation, and government shutdowns during COVID that permanently damaged our economy and our children's educations. There's no question the Conservative Party has the advantage, because we are strong on the economy, strong on parental rights, on education, and on getting our nation moving again," Jaimeson told the STAR network.

Kemmes dismissed his comments, telling the GBC that the NAT is proud of its record.

"Because of the NAT, we saved lives during COVID-19. Because of the NAT, workers still got paid during the shutdowns. Seniors and the most vulnerable of our society still got the medication and treatments and benefits they needed. Because of the NAT, we are better off than most countries during this world-wide inflation that is affecting every country across the globe. If Conservatives were in charge, you'd lose your health insurance, you'd lose your unemployment benefits, you'd be paying more in taxes while the ultra-wealthy get tax cuts. They want to move backwards, whether its on women's rights or taxes or social welfare. The NAT is moving our country forward; progress," Kemmes told Judy Seene on GBC's News Hour.

President Jim McCaren also addressed the strained economic conditions facing Grassadellians Thursday, in a prime-time television address.

"I know inflation is high right now. Groceries cost more. Medicine costs more. Gas costs more. Everything is more expensive. Everyone is feeling it because of a recovering global economy and the war in Ukraine. But we will get through this. The Nationalist Party stands ready to help the Grassadellian people. We're opening up the fuel reserves, we're working on granting working families additional food assistance, heating assistance through the winter months, healthcare vouchers, and more. The NAT is the party of social safety nets. We will not forget the people we serve," said McCaren.