MAVOCKE -- After months of entreaties from President Jim McCaren, his longtime friend and political ally Leandra Kemmes has been confirmed as McCaren's transportation secretary.
Kemmes previously served in the Menuhaeo administration as an under-secretary of transportation. She then was elected governor of Armana, a position she held until a few weeks ago, when she resigned to pursue the transportation secretary post.
On Friday, the senate voted 87-9 to confirm Kemmes. All nine dissenting senators were hardline Conservatives, who primarily took issue with Kemmes' policies on electric vehicles and public transport.
Her confirmation was a breeze for the McCaren administration, which is seeking to maintain the president's healthy approval rating, last measured at 54%, according to the Grassadellia City Times newspaper.
McCaren lobbied Kemmes for months, according to aides close to both the president and former Armana governor. Kemmes had previously been courted by the McCaren administration for other cabinet-level positions, but she had always declined them.
With her gubernatorial term winding down, however, Kemmes decided to accept the offer.
In addition to serving as transportation secretary, she will also serve as a senior advisor to McCaren on public safety and veterans issues. Kemmes is a veteran of the navy.
Her resignation as governor comes at the end of her term, which was set to expire in January 2025. She had mulled running for an historic third term, but decided against it, telling reporters back in February that it was "time for fresh blood" in the governor's mansion.
Upon Kemmes' resignation as governor, Armana's Lt. Gov. Ed Stanton (N) took over as governor.
Stanton is eligible to run for a full term in the fall election, but announced he will not seek the governorship in November, and will instead only fill the role until a permanent successor is elected.
That means there is a wide-open contest for governor in both parties.
For Nationalists, who hold an edge in the NAT-leaning state, Attorney General Rochelle Gotby, Secretary of State Mark Duggan and Marchande Mayor Tom Mallowrey are the three leading candidates.
Former Treasure Secretary Jay Goodling is also running as a Nationalist.
On the Conservative side, businessman Eric Malvron was the first to enter the race. However, former appointed Gov. Dale Fulbright is considering running for his old position. Fulbright was never elected to the governorship, but was instead appointed by the state legislature. He is considering running for the position this time.
Other Conservative candidates include 2020 Conservative nominee Bob Hefner, who lost to Kemmes in that race.
Otter Creek Mayor Tom Ungerhart is also running.
Former CNS gubernatorial nominee Dave Charm, who unsuccessfully challenged Kemmes in 2016, is also considering running again, sources close to him say.
Because of Armana's strong NAT lean, Nationalists are certain to have an advantage in the fall governor's election. However, moderate Conservatives, such as Sen. Chuck Danbury and former Sen. Dana Glow, have had success.
Thus, Conservatives see an opening and a potential pick-up opportunity in the Coalwood State.
Dr. Kerry Rudgley, from Dulkalow University, currently rates the race as "Leans NAT."
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