KOEURN, Asl. -- In a historic first, Nationalist gubernatorial candidate Agatha Houndsler has selected an African-Grassadellian woman to be her running mate in the upcoming election.
Houndsler, 66, announced that state Rep. Amanda Grimes, 29, will be her running mate.
Grimes is African-Grassadellian. Her mother emigrated from France, while her father's family is from Kenya, though her father did live in the United Kingdom for decades. Grimes herself was born in Grassadellia and has lived exclusively in Grassadellia, except for a semester abroad in Kenya during her undergraduate years.
Houndsler previously promised she would choose a minority woman to be her running mate.
"Today, I am making good on my promise to pick a qualified, exceptional, minority woman to be my running mate," she said, in a press conference in downtown Koeurn, at Chorus Square.
"Amanda Grimes is young, but she is exceptional. She has vision, she has a youthful perspective, and she has grit. She knows what it's like to struggle. She knows what it's like to come from a disadvantaged background. She knows what it's like to face barriers. And she knows what it's like to overcome those barriers," said Houndsler.
Grimes' selection is historic for a few reasons. First, there has never been an all female-led campaign for governor in Ansleigha history.
State House Speaker Becky Grael previously ran for governor back in 2020, but she chose a man, businessman Russ Hawley, as her running mate.
Grimes is also an unusual choice simply because of her age.
Typically, candidates for lieutenant governor are older. If elected, she would be the youngest lieutenant governor in Ansleigha history.
While she is young, she is old enough to serve in the lieutenant governorship. The state constitution only mandates a candidate be 18 years old.
As a state representative from inner-city Koeurn, Grimes represents one of the most reliably NAT-leaning districts in the state legislature.
First elected in 2020, she has championed social services, state assistance, free community college, and other social safety nets for low-income Ansleighans.
She has also been vocal in speaking out against workplace and legal discrimination against minorities, including discrimination by law enforcement.
"Amanda is the perfect partner to work with me to get Ansleigha working for everyone. It's been a white men's club for far too long in this state. We are going to turn things upside down when we are elected in November," said a smiling Houndsler, to cheers.
Grimes' selection is not without controversy.
Conservatives immediately seized on her selection, but not only because of her young age.
"Not only is Ms. Grimes not qualified because of her youth and relative inexperience, what's worse is that Agatha Houndsler basically chose her, mainly, because of her race," said state Conservative Party Chairman Curtis Roos.
"Agatha Houndsler said back in January that she would pick a minority woman. For Agatha Houndsler, being a minority and a woman were the main requirements for the job. The main criteria and check boxes to check off. That's frightening that she would select someone simply because of their race or gender. It makes you wonder who she will appoint as governor if she wins," said Roos in an interview with the STAR Network.
The Houndsler campaign hit back, saying Grimes was not chosen "simply because of her race or gender."
"Amanda Grimes was selected because she is highly-qualified, she has a unique life experience, she has proven leadership skills, and she brings a fresh perspective to the campaign," said Houndsler campaign spokeswoman Alice Gunderson.
As for Grimes' reaction, she spoke at the press conference, with Houndsler standing next to her.
"I am tremendously honored and humbled to be chosen as Agatha Houndsler's running mate," Grimes said. "Thank you so much, Agatha. I can't wait to get out on the campaign trail and share our vision of a fairer, more equal Ansleigha with all the people of this state."
While her selection is historic, Grimes is not the first African-Grassadellian to hold a prominent role in Ansleigha politics.
Joseph "Bell" Green was chosen by Rosamond Burkes to be Burkes' running mate back in the 2020 election.
Green, a businessman from Danaecke, is running with Burkes again this year.
Houndsler and Grimes will go on to face Sam Baskingwood and his Lt. Gov., Nick Winsich, in the fall election.
They'll also face Burkes and Green in what will likely be a close three-way race for governor.
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