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.