Emaria will not run for Harlyne governor

FORESTVIEW, HLN -- In a blow to state and national Conservatives, Harlyne Attorney General Julio Emaria will not run for governor in 2024, he announced yesterday.

The state and national parties had pinned their hopes on Emaria challenging incumbent Gov. Kate Morelda in the 2024 race, especially since Emaria previously beat Morelda in a previous race for attorney general back in 2016.

But the two-term attorney general will not seek the governorship in 2024, he said Friday.

"While I am flattered that many people, many important people, have asked me to run for governor, this is not the right time for me or my family," he said.

Emaria will not be seeking re-election to the attorney generalship either, he said.

"I need a break from politics. My time in the AG's office has been great, and we've done a lot of great work for Harlynians. I'm very proud of that work. But now it's time for me to get back into the private sector and start a new chapter," he said.

He did not disclose what exactly his "new chapter" in the private sector would entail, although sources close to Emaria say he is likely to re-enter private law practice or to take a job as a CEO at a major organization or corporation.

By stepping aside, Emaria is clearing a path for the other Conservative gubernatorial candidates.

Emaria was seen as the favorite candidate, favored especially by state and national party leaders. His ability to satisfy the right-wing of the party, as well as the moderate center, was seen as an asset.

But now, Emaria's exit from the race leaves open the way for other candidates, like Assemblyman Frank Kerenbury, former Attorney General Julia Giorchani, and former gubernatorial nominee Tom Marelo.

Marelo announced his third attempt at the governorship months ago -- he was the first candidate to enter the race on the CNS side.

Kerenbury has yet to formally announce a bid, but is expected to do so soon. Giorchani immediately announced her candidacy after Emaria bowed out Friday.

Also considering a run are H-TEL CEO Rich Tuller, Assemblyman Steve Frenitch from eastern Harlyne, and WEST Council member Ann Magiscanti, the wife of Federal Sen. Bourret Magiscanti.

In hypothetical match-ups polling, Morelda leads all Conservative contenders by varying degrees -- except Kerenbury and Emaria. She tied both men with 49% apiece.

Harlyne is a liberal-leaning state, so any Conservative candidate faces an uphill battle. But moderate Conservatives, such as Sen. Bourret Magiscanti and former governor-turned-Senator George Garesby, have found success among Harlyne's sizable swing voters.

With Emaria out of the race, CNS party leaders are likely to rally around Kerenbury, another noted moderate candidate whom party leaders believe could knock off Morelda in next year's election showdown.

But Kerenbury will have a battle winning the party's nomination. As a moderate, he has struggled to win over the more right-wing voters of the party, who dominate the primary electorate.

Emaria declined to endorse anyone in his press conference Friday afternoon. But sources close to him say he is likely to back Kerenbury or Giorchani.

The Morelda campaign has not commented on Emaria's announcement, but a campaign spokesperson said the announcement will not change the campaign's strategy.

"Governor Morelda is not taking this race for granted or being complacent. She knows she must convince the voters to re-hire her in 2024, and with her strong record of accomplishment and her strong progressive values, she's confident the voters will hire her again," the spokesperson said in a written statement.