LAMBERTH, Kal. -- As ballots continue to be counted from December's election, particularly in close races, there was one race that was perhaps the most-watched of the 2022 campaign season: the Kalnier governor's race.
Kalnier Secretary of State Lena Thorman has certified the results.
The final tally shows former Gov. Tony Ritonio (C) barely edging out incumbent Gov. Nick Hall (N) by a margin of 50.16% to 48.39 percent, respectively.
Ritonio served as governor from 2015-2019, and lost to Hall in a previous close contest in the 2018 election.
After his 2018 defeat, Ritonio went back to running his restaurant business, and stayed mum on running for his old job. He finally threw his hate into the ring in spring 2022.
His second win in 2022 means he is the first person in modern history, from either political party, to win two non-consecutive terms as governor.
Speaking at his campaign rally in downtown Lamberth, held at one of his restaurants, Ritonio thanked the voters of Kalnier "for their faith" in his candidacy, and he promised to tame inflation and Kalnier's high cost-of-living.
"The people of Kalnier have spoken loud and clear," he said in his victory speech. "They are tired of high taxes; tired of big, expensive government; tired of the out-of-control homelessness problem in our state; tired of radical political correctness that trumps the enforcement of good policy; tired of inflation; and tired of housing costs pushing young people and seniors out of the market."
"We are going to fix those things over the next four years. Gone are the 'woke' policies of our predecessors, and coming soon are sound, common-sense solutions that will deliver for Kalnierans and help their pocket books."
Hall, at his campaign celebration at an upscale, dockside restaurant, said he accepted the verdict of the voters.
"We lost tonight, and I take full responsibility for that. I am the leader of the state NAT party, I am the leader of our campaign, and the loss is on me. I won't dodge responsibility or shift blame. I accept the results and I respect the will of the voters," he said.
In an interview with Kalnier Public Radio later on in the week, Hall attributed his loss to the struggling economy and high inflation.
"Any governor who is combatting inflation and a high cost-of-living is going to face strong headwinds, and in the end, we just couldn't overcome it," he said.
Hall won big in Golstad County, which encompasses most of the liberal stronghold of Lamberth. On the opposite side of the state, he more modestly won Creighton County, home to the state's second-largest metropolitan center of Gladwell.
Hall also carried Drogen County, home to the state capitol of Appenbaum, and Del Verte County, home to the progressive city of Lockport.
But Ritonio carried most of rural Kalnier by wide margins.
He won handily in the western and southern suburbs of Lamberth, as well as regional cities like Bellock, Katherine, Pifney, and Kirkenelly.
Ritonio also carried Parma County by a wide margin. Parma County includes the northern suburbs of Tornboro, Trinton, and is considered a swing county.
What Ritonio's win means in the grand scheme of Kalnier politics is less clear. The governor-elect has made clear he intends to focus on the economy and shepherding pro-business policies through the legislature, much as he did during his first term.
But the state legislature is still controlled by the NAT, and Ritonio will have to cross the aisle to get many of his legislative initiatives done.
He also will likely face strong opposition from local political leaders in Lamberth, with whom he clashed frequently during his first stint as governor.
As for Hall, a 42-year-old former TV news presenter, he is unlikely to go back to his former profession, considering his choice to enter politics and forfeit political neutrality.
He could re-enter broadcast journalism and work for a more liberal, national TV news network. But aides close to the former governor say he is more likely to take a job as a professor or as a CEO of an advocacy group.
Hall is the partner of Sarah Ellen Swey, who serves on Lamberth's city council and is widely considered to be a top contender for Lamberth mayor.
It's possible Hall will serve as a campaign manager or advisor for Swey, should she declare her candidacy for mayor or another elected role.
Friends of Hall say he is likely to re-enter politics in the future, possibly running for governor again in 2026, or for Federal Senate.
"He's not done, I can tell you that," said one close advisor, who has worked for Hall since his first campaign for office in 2014. "I don't know exactly what he will run for in the future, but I know he is not done seeking elected office."
Hall did not comment when asked about his political future.
But he did wish Tony Ritonio well.
"I disagree sharply with Tony Ritonio's policies. I think they are disastrous for Kalnier and for working class people. But I hope he succeeds, I hope he helps Kalnier and hopefully some good things during his second-chance tenure," said Hall in a TV interview.
Ritonio also wished Hall well.
"We don't agree on a lot, but I think he's a nice guy, I think he has good intentions. It's just that his liberal policies are misguided. But he isn't a bad person, and for that reason, I wish him well."
| Tony Ritonio / Marie Dehignen (CNS) | 50.16% | 1,613,201 |
| Nick Hall / Paul Myrick (NAT)* | 48.39% | 1,556,230 |
| Other | 1.45% | 46,746 |
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