Dick Trau to challenge Diane Coke in comeback senate bid

LARCHMONT, POG -- Former POG Sen. Dick Trau (C) will seek to return to his old job this fall, sources close to the former senator say.

Trau is planning to run against his former colleague, Nationalist incumbent Sen. Diane Coke, who is seeking re-election this year.

Trau narrowly lost re-election to Nationalist Jim Mahenas back in 2022 by a margin of 48%-50%, respectively.

Now, sources close to Trau, who asked not to be named because they were asked not to speak to the media, tell GNN that Trau is expected to announce his plans to challenge Coke next week.

Trau's decision to challenge the incumbent Coke is interesting, especially considering fellow POG Sen. George Mercott is retiring this year, leaving his seat vacant.

Sources close to Trau say he believes he has a better chance of defeating Coke, who is controversial and one of the least bipartisan senators in the chamber, rather than run against an unknown NAT opponent in the race for Mercott's empty seat.

"Diane Coke will be much easier to beat. She's hyper-liberal, she's hyper-bitchy, she's hyper-unlikable. Dick Trau stands a strong chance of ousting her in November," said one source, who spoke exclusively with GNN, and who asked for anonymity to protect their relationship with Trau.

While the affable and moderate Trau may have a strong chance against Coke in the fall election, he will first have to navigate the CNS primary race.

Hardline Conservatives are not exactly thrilled with Trau, whom they feel is too compromising and moderate.

Contrary to Coke, Trau was ranked as one of the most bipartisan senators during his tenure.

He is known to frequently cross the aisle and work with Nationalists, something his supporters say is an asset.

"Dick is a Conservative, and he has strong Conservative credentials. But he also knows how to work with the other side and negotiate. He knows how to get things done. He can work with Nationalists. He always puts politics second and the good of POG and the country first," Derrin Taylor, a former aide to Trau, told the Lansdale Focus newspaper in a recent interview.

So far, besides Trau, there are no major Conservative candidates running for the chance to take on Coke. However, it's likely a more far-right candidate could emerge to challenge Trau for the CNS senate nomination.

Coke, who was first elected in 2012, is seeking her third term. She is currently the sole woman in POG's senate delegation.

A fierce advocate for women -- and a steadfast critic of Conservatives -- Coke is beloved by left-wing voters and activists.

Unsurprisingly, she is detested by many Conservatives. One CNS colleague recently described her as "toxic."

Coke has declined to apologize for offending Conservatives.

"If standing up to corporate money, and fighting for fair housing, and women's reproductive health, and accessible education and health care for all Grassadellians makes me 'toxic,' then I will happily wear that title," Coke told Grassadellian Public Radio (GPR) last month, in response to criticism from Conservatives.

Coke's campaign projected confidence in an email to GNN.

"Senator Coke is a committed advocate for POG. She has fought for fairness in employment, fair housing, health care and education for our poorest residents. She's fought for sensible climate change legislation. She's fought against needless wars and insane gun policies that let violent criminals terrorize our shopping malls and schools. On issue after issue, Diane Coke is a champion for the people of POG. Her policies are right in line with the average POGer, and there is no doubt Diane Coke will be returned to the senate by voters this fall," said Meredith Sierran, a campaign spokesperson, in an email.

Conservatives, however, are optimistic Coke can be defeated. Her divisive nature will be juxtaposed against Trau's amiable personality and diplomatic tendency, say Trau supporters.

On top of that, Coke is a close associate of Senate Majority Leader Debbie Madronas, who is a perennial scapegoat and villain in Conservative circles.

The Trau campaign plans to tie Coke with Madronas at every turn, surrogates of Trau say.

"Diane Coke is on record saying Debbie Madronas is a 'dear friend' of hers. We will remind voters of just how close they are every chance we get," said Damian Simon, an advisor to Trau, and a likely campaign staff member.

It's unclear, though, if voters will opt to send Trau back to the senate. In 2022, the docile Trau lost to another combative opponent, then-Assemblyman Jim Mahenas. 

In that race, Trau was criticized on both the left and right for being an "establishment" figure that had gotten too comfortable Mavocke's elite social circles.

Trau was seen as out-of-touch with regular POGers.

He'll have to work to overcome that perception this time.

National Conservatives are looking to the race too, as the CNS seeks to obtain a majority in the federal senate for the first time in a decade.

Currently, Nationalists hold a 54-42 majority. Conservatives will need to pick up seven seats in November to flip the chamber, a tall order.

Kerenbury leads fellow Conservatives in Harlyne governor's primary race

HARLYNEE, Harlyne -- Moderate former assemblyman Frank Kerenbury leads his Conservative rivals in the state's gubernatorial primary, a new poll finds.

The poll, conducted by the University of Harlyne--Ashford's Landing (UHAL) found Kerenbury, (pronounced "Karen-bury"), in the lead with 34 percent. 

Businessman and 2020 nominee Tom Marelo was next with 28 percent, followed by former attorney general Julia Giorchani with 23 percent, and Assemblyman Steve Frenitch from eastern Harlyne with 15 percent, respectively. 

H-Tel CEO Rich Tuller previously announced a run for governor, but dropped out of the race last week, so the poll did not include him. 

Tuller is instead seeking the state's lieutenant governorship. He's unopposed on the CNS side, as of now.

The poll was conducted in mid-February and surveyed 480 likely Conservative voters.

Previous polling shows in a hypothetical general election match-up, Kerenbury would tie or narrowly beat incumbent NAT Gov. Kate Morelda.

However, the moderate former assemblyman from the state's southwest has had trouble winning over Harlyne's more hardline Conservative voters, who view Kerenbury as too centrist and compromising.

The new poll results come as the four remaining Conservative candidates are set to square off at a debate in Henotia tonight.

Taking center stage in the debate will be a plethora of issues important to CNS voters, including taxes, gun rights, education, and most notably, the recent loss of federal Sen. Dick Ammons, who resigned his seat due to terminal cancer.

Gov. Kate Morelda (N) ignited a Conservative outcry when she appointed Nationalist Lei Chan to fill Ammons' vacant seat earlier this month. All four CNS candidates for governor have sharply criticized Morelda for the overtly partisan move.

The debate is set to start at 6:30 PM at the Emporium Theater in east Henotia. It will be moderated by journalists from around the state. 

Morelda wanted next senator to be a woman and minority

ASHFORDS LANDING, Harlyne -- After longtime federal Sen. Dick Ammons stepped down due to health reasons, Harlyne Gov. Kate Morelda knew she'd have big shoes to fill as she set out on appointing Ammons' replacement.

In deciding who to pick to succeed Ammons, Morelda specifically wanted a woman. Even better, a woman of color.

"Harlyne has only had white senators ever since statehood. And all except one senator have been men. So it was important to me that I pick someone who is not only a woman but preferably a woman of color. Someone who knows what it's like to be a minority, to struggle, to not be heard or seen in a room full of white men. And I knew Lei Chan was the right person, who understands the struggle that women and minorities face. And not only that, she is exceptionally qualified," said Morelda in a recent TV interview with WAFL-4 TV in Ashford's Landing.

Her decision to exclusively seek out a woman of color to fill the seat is upsetting to Conservatives, who have been vocal in their criticism.

"This governor didn't appoint the best person for the job. She didn't appoint the most-qualified person for the job. She appointed a liberal ally of her's who checks all the ethnic and gender boxes that she wanted," said Tom Marelo, a businessman who is running for governor as a Conservative.

Marelo previously ran unsuccessfully against Morelda in 2020.

"This was a diversity pick. Plain and simple. And not only that, it was a political pick. The governor chose someone from her own party instead of honoring the will of the voters and picking another Conservative to fill Dick Ammons' seat," added Marelo.

Morelda doesn't see it that way. The governor insisted her pick of Chan was not solely because of Chan's race or gender. 

"She [Chan] is uniquely qualified to serve as a federal senator," said Morelda. "It's just a bonus that she also happens to be a woman of color who understands the need for and the value of diversity and inclusion."

As for choosing a Nationalist over a Conservative for the previously Conservative-held seat, Morelda didn't dispute her choice of Chan was political.

"Every time a governor appoints someone, from any party, it's political. Every governor is going to and always does appoints someone who is of the same party they belong to, or who is favorable to them and their policies. Governors always appoint someone they agree with or see eye-to-eye with. That's just common sense," said Morelda. "And there's nothing illegal or ethically wrong with choosing someone you agree with. It's the governor's constitutional right and power to appoint senators to fill vacancies, and the governor has the prerogative to choose whomever they feel is best for the job," she added.

"There were many impressive candidates for the job, but I felt Lei Chan was the most-qualified and the best fit for the job, so I chose her. If people have a problem with that, well then, I would say to them that elections have consequences. When I won the governorship back in 2020, one of my jobs and responsibilities was filling a vacancy in our state's senate delegation. And I have fulfilled my constitutional duty. You may not approve of it, but I was the one elected and empowered by the people to do that."

Conservatives have long been critical of Morelda and her emphasis on diversity and inclusion. She has been an avid supporter of LGTBQ+ rights, and has gone to great pains to appoint women and minorities to high-ranking positions in her cabinet and state government.

But while Nationalists are largely thrilled at Chan's selection, some Nationalists are privately upset the governor overlooked them for the job.

In particular, Winsaret Metropolitan Council President Lex Martin (N), who is Chan's former colleague and boss, has privately complained to friends and associates of the governor about Chan's appointment.

Martin is among several fellow Nationalists who believe they should have been appointed instead of Chan.

"It's not that he's upset the governor chose Chan," said a source close to Martin, who asked for privacy because Martin spoke to them in confidence. "Lei Chan is a solid choice, she's a solid liberal, she's an effective liberal leader, she's well-qualified. Lex knows that and approves of her appointment. But it would have been nice to at least be considered for the job instead of automatically dismissed just because he's a white male," the source told the Ashford's Landing Current newspaper.

Former Lt. Gov. Mia Xhi, another liberal Asian-Grassadellian woman, is also reportedly upset she was overlooked for the appointment, according to sources within the state NAT party.

Xhi is also an ally of Morelda, and was hoping to at least be invited to interview with the governor, but that invitation was never extended.

A spokesperson for the governor said Xhi was not seriously considered because she moved to the state of Damoign back in 2018, and would have to move back to Harlyne and establish residency in the state first in order to be eligible to serve.

Several other women in the state NAT's ranks were also overlooked: former Assemblywomen Marin Holsh and Jill LaFraniere, Lt. Gov. Gayle Harmsen, and former Harlynee Mayor Kallain Carney.

Fellow WMC members Anne Pruitt, Christine Branchler and Marta Priscender were also never interviewed for the role, sources close to the governor say.

"It's clear Kate Morelda knew from day one that she was going to appoint the ultra-liberal Lei Chan to the senate seat," said Mark Nadler, state Conservative Party chairman. "She and her staff didn't even do a thorough search or interview process. It was a done-deal weeks ago."

Morelda disputed that characterization, saying she interviewed "multiple" candidates, and that Chan "stood out" from the others.

"Look, are there many great people in the Nationalist Party who would make wonderful senators for our state? Yes, of course there are. But I had to pick one person, and I chose the person who best fit and best fulfilled the role I was seeking to fill. I have no regrets or no second thoughts about appointing Lei Chan. She's exceedingly qualified, she's exceedingly in tune with the needs of Harlynians, and she has the integrity to serve our state and represent our state well. I know that doesn't sit well with some people, but that's just how it is," said Morelda.

"The decision has been made and I stand by it," she added.

Kate Morelda appoints Lei Chan as first Chinese-Grassadellian to federal senate

ASHFORDS LANDING, Harlyne -- In a first for the state of Harlyne, Gov. Kate Morelda (N) has appointed the first minority person to represent the state in the federal senate. 

Morelda chose Lei Chan (N), a longtime, liberal member of the Winsaret Metropolitan Council (WMC), to replace former Sen. Dick Ammons, 84, a moderate Conservative who stepped down from his seat recently due to terminal cancer.

Ammons, who has served in the senate in appointed and elected roles for decades, has been ill for the last two years, but was forced to retire his seat back in January as his health declined rapidly.

The moderate Conservative from Ashford's Landing is reportedly in hospice, according to a family spokesperson.

In her appointment announcement, Morelda expressed condolences to the Ammons family, calling the former senator "an institution" and "a model leader" who frequently crossed the aisle and worked with Nationalists. 

"No one can ever replace the great Dick Ammons, and we won't even try," Morelda said at a press conference announcing Chan's appointment.

"But Lei Chan is a worthy candidate to represent our state in the senate," Morelda said. 

Chan has "proven her willingness to lead time and time again," the governor said. And Chan is "wholly committed to ensuring and championing diversity, inclusion and awareness in the federal senate," the governor added.

During her nearly two-decades on the WMC, Chan, who represented central Bourneham County, arguably the most liberal part of the state, was a fierce defender of women's and LGBTQ+ rights, stood up for minorities and labor unions, and fought for fair housing for low-income residents.

She also championed safe needle sites for people struggling with addiction, and strong environmental laws.

Her appointment to the federal senate means she will become the state's first ever minority senator, as all previous senators have been of European descent.

Chan will also become the second woman to represent Harlyne in the senate, after former Sen. Cybil Ducheffrey (N), and the first Chinese-Grassadellian from any state to serve in the federal senate.

Nationalists control the federal senate, and Chan's appointment gives them an extra seat. The balance of power will now stand at 53 Nationalists, 42 Conservatives and one Democratic-Reformist. 

However, the lone Democratic-Reformist senator, Ayden Benning of New Portsmouth, caucuses with Nationalists. So, effectively, the NAT will hold a 54-42 majority.

Appearing alongside her long-standing ally Morelda, Chan said she was "unspeakably grateful" for the opportunity, and expressed gratitude to the governor.

"Thank you so much for your trust in me. It means so much to me. I will never forget who helped me get to where I am, who helped me along the way, and of course, the wonderful people I represent," said Chan.

While Nationalists praised Chan's appointment, angry Conservatives lashed out at Morelda for appointing a liberal Nationalist to fill a Conservative-held seat.

"The people of Harlyne chose Dick Ammons to be their senator. They elected him. They didn't elect a Nationalist to his seat, they chose him. So it's only logical and reasonable that the governor should appoint another Conservative to fill Senator Ammons' seat," said state Conservative Party Chairman Mark Nadler.

"Instead, Kate Morelda, a failing liberal governor, chose to ignore the will of the voters and appoint another failed liberal to fill the seat of the great Dick Ammons. The voters picked a Conservative, Kate Morelda ignored their will and picked a hardcore liberal. The governor went against the people, and we will remind the voters of this betrayal throughout the rest of the campaign," said Nadler.

In Harlyne, there is no constitutional provision that requires the governor to appoint a replacement senator from the same political party as the senator they are replacing.

The governor is free to appoint anyone from any party or political affiliation to fill a vacancy.

So, the governor didn't violate any laws.

But her decision to appoint a replacement senator from the opposite party may backfire with voters.

Morelda is seeking re-election this fall, and some voters may be angered that she appointed a political ally to fill a senate seat instead of making appointing another Conservative.

"Her decision to appoint Lei Chan, one of the most liberal politicians in our state, to the senate is just downright a slap in the face to the people of Harlyne," former Clevey Springs Mayor Todd Kren (C) told WAFL-4 TV in an interview.

"Dick Ammons was a Conservative. The voters chose him specifically to fill that seat. Conservatives are already outnumbered here in Harlyne, and if the voters wanted another Nationalist senator, they would have chosen a Nationalist. But they didn't. They chose Dick. So it's only natural that Kate Morelda should have chosen another Conservative to fill Dick's seat," said Kren.

Morelda's choice has already fired up angry Conservatives, who are already dissatisfied with the governor's new taxes, strict environmental laws, and drug and crime policies.

"Kate, you made a BIG mistake by appointing the LIBERAL Lei Chan!" tweeted Tom Marelo, a Conservative businessman and candidate for governor, who ran against Morelda back in 2020 but lost.

Frank Kerenbury, (pronounced "Karen-bury") a former assemblyman who is also seeking the governorship as a Conservative, told WHLN-TV in Harlynee that he is "disappointed" Morelda chose a liberal to replace a Conservative-held seat.

"Dick Ammons is a good man. He's been an effective leader for our state for decades. He's a very reasonable, moderate-minded man who understands the importance of bipartisanship and bridging the political divide. And for the governor to appoint not only a Nationalist to a Conservative seat, but for her to appoint someone like Lei Chan, who is deeply partisan, bought and paid for by the Nationalist Party, who will never work with the Conservative Party...it's troubling," said Kerenbury.

"This appointment is not a step up. It's not something that should be celebrated," said Kerenbury. "It's really a sign of disrespect to the voters. Governor Morelda should have honored the will of the voters and chosen another Conservative to replace Dick Ammons."

Steve Frenitch, (C), an assemblyman from eastern Harlyne who is also running for governor, was more pointed in his criticism of Morelda.

"This governor is a wannabe dictator," Frenitch told The Goldchristian newspaper. "She thinks she can do whatever she wants, appoint whoever she wants. She has no regard for the voters or for the people of our state. She thinks she's untouchable."

Julia Giorchani, a former Conservative attorney general who is campaigning for governor, also weighed in.

"I'm beyond disappointed at Kate Morelda's decision to appoint Lei Chan to the federal senate. She should have done what's right, which is appoint another Conservative to this Conservative-held seat. Instead, she chose petty politics and political expediency over what the people want. She disregarded and dismissed what the people of Harlyne want. And they won't forget it," said Giorchani.

The governor's office fired back, reminding its critics that the governor is free to appoint anyone to a vacancy.

"Gov. Morelda did what she is constitutionally empowered to do, and that is fill a vacancy in the senate with a qualified replacement. Lei Chan is exceedingly well-qualified to hold this position. Her decades of advocacy and leadership made her a stand-out candidate for the job. And Gov. Morelda is pleased to see Senator Chan take her seat in Mavocke," said Sarah Abrams, a spokesperson for the governor's office.

Polls in Harlyne's governor's race show Morelda leading Marelo, Frenitch and Giorchani in head-to-head match-ups.

However, Morelda is either tied with or slightly trailing Kerenbury in similar polls.

It's unclear which of the four Conservative candidates she will face, but her controversial appointment will almost certainly continue to be a source of contention among all the gubernatorial candidates.

Chan is expected to be sworn-in on Monday in Mavocke.

Because Ammons was elected back in 2020, and his term is more than halfway complete, there will not be a special election to permanently fill his seat.

Instead, Chan will serve until 2026, when she will be eligible to run for re-election or can voluntarily step down, clearing the way for other candidates.

She has not indicated whether she will seek re-election in 2026.

There's also no indication of who will replace Chan on the WMC, though the strongly liberal-favoring seat is almost certainly to be filled by another Nationalist.

Ty Jaimeson says Jon Ralston 'has no balls'

PARKINS, N. Ceona -- It's been a tense past month in North Ceona.

After weeks of deliberating, federal Sen. Pete Deetch, an ardent and controversial Conservative, ultimately decided against running for governor in the 2024 election.

Deetch had been considering entering the race, which would have pitted him squarely against fellow Conservative Ty Jaimeson, the incumbent who is seeking re-election.

Jaimeson is known for his more centrist and moderate views. And that rankles hardline Conservatives like Deetch, who want a less compromising Conservative in the governor's mansion.

But after publicly toying with the idea of challenging his CNS colleague, Deetch chose not to run for governor.

His decision caused a sigh of relief within the Jaimeson campaign. 

Recent polls showed Jaimeson leading Deetch in a head-to-head primary match-up, but not by much. 

Jaimeson campaign staff and surrogates were concerned that a tense primary campaign on the CNS side could damage the governor just as he gears up for the general election. 

Or worse, they feared, the outspoken, populist Deetch could even fan the flames of Conservative voters' angst and potentially beat Jaimeson in a primary, which would give the NAT a huge advantage in the fall election.

So, Deetch's decision to bypass a run for governor this year came as welcomed news for the Jaimeson team.

Perhaps the deciding factor Deetch could have been the polling or his personal history with the governor.

Jaimeson reportedly called the senator weeks ago and urged Deetch not to run against him.

"[Jaimeson] basically told him [Deetch] that the polls show Deetch losing to Jaimeson in a primary race, and even more damaging, the polls show several of the NAT candidates beating Deetch in the fall election, should he win the primary," a Jaimeson campaign operative, who asked for anonymity, told the North Ceonan newspaper.

According to that same confidential source, Jaimeson also reminded Deetch that he supported Deetch in his re-election comeback campaign in 2022 when many other Conservatives abandoned the controversial senator.

Deetch served one term in the Senate from 2013 - 2019, but lost re-election in the fall 2018 election to Nationalist Alexis Stotter.

His loss was largely attributed to his controversial comments on women and minorities.

When Deetch sought to return to the Senate in 2022, when Stotter was up for re-election, many Conservatives declined to endorse him or campaign with him, because of his proneness to controversy.

Jaimeson stood by Deetch, however. Though Deetch is considerably further to the right than the governor, Jaimeson said, at the time, that Deetch deserved a second chance.

The governor reportedly brought his past loyalty to Deetch's attention, in an effort to dissuade Deetch from challenging him in the 2024 gubernatorial primary.

A senior source from Deetch's office confirmed the details provided to The North Ceonan by the Jaimeson campaign.

Whether it was polling or loyalty, Deetch opted not to run for governor in 2024, though he left the door open to possibly running in 2028.

His decision allows Conservatives to avoid a nasty primary battle, and is good news for the CNS, as they seek to hold onto one of their most reliably Conservative-leaning governorships.

Now, both sides say the two men have buried the hatchet. Deetch has committed to supporting Jaimeson in the fall, though the senator has publicly said he hopes Jaimeson embraces a more strongly Conservative agenda in his second term.

Behind the scenes, though, Ty Jaimeson is still fuming, sources close to the governor say -- not at Deetch, but at Federal Senate Minority Leader Jon Ralston (C-Ansleigha).

The reason?

Before confronting Deetch directly over his consideration of a gubernatorial run, Jaimeson first made a phone call to Ralston, Deetch's colleague and boss in the Federal Senate.

According to accounts from multiple sources within the Jaimeson campaign, who all asked for anonymity due to not having permission to speak to the media about sensitive matters, Jaimeson phoned Ralston back in January and asked the minority leader to lean on Deetch to stay in the Senate.

"Ty Jaimeson called Jon Ralston and told him, 'We cannot afford to lose this seat. If Pete Deetch runs against me, Conservatives will lose the governorship to the Nationalists.' And Jaimeson asked Ralston to persuade Deetch to stay in the Senate and abandon his plans to run for governor," the source told the North Ceonan.

But Ralston declined to intervene, multiple sources confirmed. The minority leader apparently told Jaimeson he understood his concerns, but that he would not get involved in the situation.

"Basically, Jon Ralston told Ty Jaimeson that he wasn't going to do anything to help. He left Jaimeson out to dry," the source said.

That didn't sit well with Jaimeson, who privately told aides Ralston "has no balls" and the senate minority leader is "afraid to confront."

But Jaimeson not only seethed privately, he also spoke out against Ralston publicly.

"Sen. Ralston and I have always had a productive, cordial relationship. As one of the top leaders of our national party, I have had frequent interactions with him, and they've always been very positive. So I was a little disappointed when he declined to help me out," Jaimeson told the North Ceonan. 

He continued: "Jon Ralston has incredible influence over his fellow Conservative senators. They respect him and respect his opinion. If he would have intervened earlier and more decisively, we could have avoided a lot of the drama and political brinksmanship that we saw over the last month. So, it is disappointing. But [Ralston] is busy with his presidential campaign, and he's busy running the Senate. So I suppose our situation here in North Ceona probably wasn't pressing enough for him," said Jaimeson.

In response, Ralston told reporters Friday that his decision not to interfere in the North Ceona governor's race was not because he's too busy or distracted.

"My decision to not intervene had nothing to do with my time or my schedule or how busy I am. Or my lack of a spine. I have no problem telling my senators what I think they should do, when appropriate. But this situation was not appropriate for me to intervene in. I'm not from North Ceona. The people of North Ceona should decide who their next governor is, not a politician in Mavocke. If Pete Deetch wanted to run for governor, or if any other senator in our caucus wanted to run, I would not dissuade them from running. I could offer my opinion, but I will never coerce someone to run or not run for a position," Ralston said Friday.

"I'm sorry that Ty Jaimeson feels that way. I have always had a positive relationship with him, and I hope that we can continue to work positively together in the future. I know he's disappointed I didn't do more to help his campaign out. But it wasn't my place. And I am not going to apologize for minding my own business and keeping my nose out of another state's affairs," Ralston added.

Ralston is currently running for president, one of over a dozen CNS candidates seeking their party's nomination for the nation's top job. He was asked by reporters if he would step down from his leadership position in the Senate to focus on his presidential campaign, but the senator said he is "more than capable" of handling both roles at the same time.

"Sen. Ralston has been an effective minority leader, and he will continue his strong stewardship of the Senate while running for president," a spokesperson for his office wrote in an email to GNN.