Duvan didn't want Zeme as running mate, leaked emails show

GRASS. CITY -- Damoign Gov. Jenna Duvan (N) wanted to pick a more exciting running mate in her 2024 reelection campaign, a trove of leaked emails revealed.

The emails, between Duvan and her top campaign staff and advisors, reportedly show Duvan complaining about her running mate Jeff Zeme (N).

Duvan wanted a more outgoing and popular running mate, but ultimately chose Zeme because he was "boring" and "practical," according to the emails.

"He [Zeme] is boring and has no flair. I'd much rather have someone more exciting running next to me, but he's a safe pick politically, and his boringness counters my big personality," wrote the governor in an email to campaign chair Rick Kulley back in August 2024.

Other emails reveal Duvan calling Zeme "unexciting," "stiff," and "nerdy."

"But that's a good thing, because I have a reputation as being sexy and showy, and having a boring nerd next to me looks more down to earth," the governor said to chief campaign communications director Sarah Marshall Stevens.

Not all her comments were negative, however. 

Duvan praised Zeme for sticking by her and being loyal.

"Jeff is a nice guy who is always loyal and always has my back. In the end, that's what you need most in a running mate," said Duvan in an email to her campaign attorney, Vickie Floyd.

The emails were leaked by an anonymous source at the progressive Graffiti Upwork.

Asked about the emails Friday, Duvan apologized and said she had already spoken to Zeme.

"You know, Jeff and I had a conversation about this a long time ago before we even became running mates. I was honest with him and frank with him about our appearances and the public's perceptions of us. And I did say some rude things about him. I didn't say them in a purposely rude way, but they came across rude and hurtful. And for that, I apologize to my good friend Jeff Zeme. I've apologized to him in private earlier this week, because I'm just so embarrassed with how it came across and how people perceived those comments," said the governor.

"The truth is, Jeff Zeme may not be the most exciting and exuberant politician out there. He's maybe not the most engaging or inspiring or a captivating speaker. But you know what? He's a great guy. He's a loyal guy. He knows policy like no one else I know. He is intelligent, he is committed, he is a team player, and he gives me the best advice. And really, I would not be where I am today without his loyal friendship and partnership," she said.

Zeme was asked about the emails in a radio interview with 4LocalLive on Tuesday.

"She's called me a 'nerd' and 'boring' to my face before," said Zeme, laughing. "It's really not news. Everyone knows I'm sort of nerdy and not the most charismatic. And I think you have to remember when you're running for office and choosing a running mate, like Jenna has done, you have to consider how the other person appears and looks and acts and how their public perception is. Politics is all about appearance and perception. If you have somebody too flashy or too showy who seems superficial and materialistic, that can really hurt you with voters. Sometimes the boring guy is the better choice," said Zeme.

He added that he has forgiven Duvan and the two share a close relationship.

"She comes over and has dinner at my house with my wife and kids. I meet with her multiple times a week. She asks for my advice, I give her my advice. And ultimately, she does whatever she wants because she's the governor and she has the final say," said Zeme.

It's unclear who, exactly, Duvan would have preferred over Zeme, as her running mate.

She considered former Grassadellia City Mayor Kellan Kastol, but Duvan and Kastol previously dated a decade ago, raising a personal relationship issue.

Duvan considered Assemblyman Bill Blair, who has previously ran for governor too. But he was ruled out by Duvan's campaign team for the same reason as Zeme, being too boring.

"You have to strike the right balance with your lieutenant governor running mate selection," says Kevin Mullins, an NAT political operative based out of Eastholm. "If you get someone too boring, the voters will be bored and turned off. If you get someone with too much personality who is flashy and loud, that turns voters off too. If you get someone too old, the voters consider that person to be geriatric. If you get someone too young, they may seem unexperienced and uncapable. So, you really have to find that right balance. Sometimes the more boring person is a better choice," said Mullins.

Duvan and Zeme ran together on the same ticket for the first time in 2024, the first election in which Damoign's governor and lieutenant governor were elected on a joint ticket.

Previously, the lieutenant governor was elected separately from the governor, frequently resulting in the positions being split by the two political parties.

The Duvan-Zeme duo easily held off Conservatives George Velmar and Dianne Roselli in the 2024 general election, 52.1 to 46.6 percent, respectively.

Duvan is the first Damoign governor in modern history to be elected to a third term. Previous governors were limited to just two terms.

The state legislature passed a law in 2022 that allows a governor to seek an unlimited number of terms in the governorship.

However, the voters of Damoign had perviously voted for term limits. The legislature's 2022 law made previous voter-passed laws void.

The Conservative Party is still filing lawsuits and motions to get term limits back in place.

For now, Duvan could seek reelection again in 2028 if she wants. If she chooses to step down, Zeme could be a leading candidate to replace her, though there are a host of other NAT candidates who would likely enter the race too.

Conservatives' top choice in Carova declines to run for governor

CAROVA, CITY, Car. -- Attorney General Sean Travern is not running for governor, no matter how many Conservative politicians and party leaders try to convince him.

Finishing up his second term as AG, Travern was widely seen as a 2026 gubernatorial candidate, and he's expressed interest in the state's top job in the past.

But for months, Travern has declined overtures from party leaders to seek the governorship.

Sources close to Travern say he is reluctant to challenge popular incumbent Gov. Dan Sallovich (N), who is seeking reelection.

Travern has not said much publicly about his decision to forego the governor's race, only telling the media last month that he is "ready to be back in the private sector."

"I've been in state government for going on eight years now," he said at a press conference announcing his intent to not seek election in 2026. "I'm ready for a vacation and ready to get back to work in the private sector, where profit and performance matter much more."

Aides and allies of the attorney general say Travern is confident he could beat Sallovich in a head-to-head match up in November. However, defeating Sallovich would be difficult, expensive, and likely a nasty political fight, something Travern would prefer to avoid, sources say.

"It's not that he doesn't think he can beat Dan Sallovich. He thinks he could win, he thinks his chances would be pretty good. But in order to win, it would be a nasty, brutal fight. And he just doesn't want to deal with that right now," said one source, who asked to remain anonymous, since they were not permitted by Travern to speak to the media.

"I think he just wants to go on vacation and get a good job and just go back to having a normal life for a little while," said another anonymous source who works with Travern, though both sources told GNN they expect Travern to run for higher office in the future.

"I don't see this as retirement. He's not retiring, he's just taking a break. [He's] gearing up for a future run for governor or senator," said the second source.

Travern's declination leaves Conservatives with only two lesser-known candidates for governor. Construction company owner Michael Drake of Carova City and businessman Andrew Eskin of Beren.

Drake, who has never sought public office before, was the first to enter the race, and he has collected the most endorsements from party officials and prominent figures.

His campaign has centered on blue collar workers and the trades. He often emphasizes that he doesn't have a college degree, although he has gone to trade schools and received certifications for plumbing, electrician work and contracting.

"I'm proof that you don't have to go to college and graduate school and get an MBA or a law degree to be successful," Drake told a reporter from The Grassadellia City Times. "I'm a multi-millionaire business owner, and I did it through hard work, good business practices, and leadership."

Eskin, a lawyer and stock trader, is a former state senator from Beren. He splits his time between Carova and Grassadellia City. He's focused on his economic background as an asset in the race for governor.

"Carova is at a crossroads. We can keep misspending our money and growing our social safety net, which disincentives people to work and bloats government, or we can trim our spending, spend responsibly, and empower Carovan workers," said Eskin.

Travern's deferral means either Drake or Eskin will be the CNS' nominee.

While he's not in the race, Travern still looms large over it, with many suspecting he'll seek the governorship in 2030.

His endorsement would also carry a great deal of weight among CNS primary voters, who highly regard the attorney general.

Former Gov. Dan Wainwright (C), who lost to Sallovich back in 2022, was considering running for a rematch or for the state's open senate seat, which is up for grabs this year. However, Wainwright's family and advisors convinced him to stay out of the 2026 races.

Instead, the former governor, senator and attorney general will help campaign for his son Dan Wainwright Jr., who is running for attorney general.

The younger Wainwright is likely to face Nationalist Dan McGregor in the AG race.

The former governor, Wainwright Sr., has not made an endorsement in the CNS race yet. Sources close to him say he favors Eskin, but is open to Drake too.

Sallovich remains popular with NAT voters and independent voters. His approval among Conservative voters has dwindled in recent years, as the governor has expanded the social safety net and has moderately raised taxes.

If he wins reelection later this year, Sallovich will become Carova's first governor to win reelection.

Carova has two senate seats up for election this year. Conservative incumbent Sawyer Upton is up for reelection, while longtime Nationalist Ann Kocheni is retiring after more than 30 years in the Senate.

Former Sen. Karen Coriano is likely to seek Kocheni's seat, while Conservatives Donna Creilo and Jim Calisto run for the position on the CNS side.

No major NAT candidates have filed to challenge Upton, although former appointed Sen. Bob McGregor is mulling a bid. Former Lt. Gov. Carson Latzo is also considering running.

Ugorachin to challenge Traetori in Roddenshire

COLCICHUTT, Rodd. -- After losing her Senate seat in 2024 by a sliver, former Sen. Anita Ugorachin (N) is seeking a comeback, and this time she'll be running against her former Conservative colleague Sen. Frank Traetori.

Ugorachin, who was known as one of the most progressive senators in the chamber, formally entered the Roddenshire senate race yesterday, filing papers to seek Traetori's seat.

Ugorachin starts her race with a few advantages. She's well-known in the small state, after serving for two terms. She's a prolific fundraiser, especially among women's and minority rights groups. And Roddenshire is a blue state, which tips the race in her favor.

Traetori, a staunch law-and-order conservative, is seeking a third term. Though deeply unpopular with left-wing voters, Traetori has a strong following among conservative voters, and in recent years has appealed more to independent and and moderate voters.

Both candidates have high name recognition and strong support from their national and state parties.

The fate of the race may well come down to voter turnout. If Conservative voters show up in large numbers to back Traetori, he may win. If Conservative voters stay home and NAT voters flood the polls, Ugorachin may be swept back into office.

Ugorachin beat Traetori once back in 2012. Traetori made a comeback in 2014 by beating then Sen. Vince Montimado (N). He beat Montimado again in 2020. Ugorachin won a second term in 2018 against a little-known Conservative opponent.

But her run for a third term in 2024 ran into a roadblock when Hong Kong-born Chinese Grassadellian and political newcomer Victoria Kejung (C) challenged her. Riding a nationwide Conservative tide, Kejung narrowly topped Ugorachin by a 51-48% margin.

But now Ugorachin, the first Vietnamese-Grassadellian senator, will face another tough race against Traetori, who already has $4.3 million in the bank.

Ugorachin has $1.1 million left over from her 2024 campaign, so she won't start from scratch. But both candidates and parties will have to raise a hefty amount of cash for the race, as Roddenshire has three media markets, including the Grassadellia City and Mavocke markets, which are two fo the most expensive for advertisements.

In her campaign announcement, Ugorachin said she is running "to finish the work we started." She railed against Traetori and his "ultra-right-wing billionaire friends" whom "he constantly votes to protect."

"Frank Traetori has no idea what it's like to be a normal person who has a normal life and normal bills. He doesn't know what it's like to struggle to pay rent. He doesn't know what it's like to struggle to pay a surprise medical bill or to pay for kids sport equipment or summer camp. Or how hard it is for a single mother or father trying to pay the bills and raise a kid at the same time. All Frank Traetori knows is how to get bigger returns on corporate stocks and how to expand one's stock portfolio," she said.

Traetori shot back on X, formerly Twitter, saying "Ugorachin is in bed with the national NAT party. She's raised millions from these left-wing groups. For someone who rails against rich people, she sure has raised a lot of money and hob-knobbed with a lot of these same rich people she claims to fight against."

A iVote poll released Thursday found Traetori leading Ugorachin by nearly six points, 52.8% to 46.2 percent, respectively, with a little over one percent choosing other candidates or write-ins.

Liffrey jumps into POG governor's race, Trau to seek Senate seat again

KINGHAM, P.O.G. -- After weeks of lobbying and trying to persuade POG Sen. John Paul Liffrey (N) to seek reelection to the Senate, Nationalists senators have failed.

The freshman senator announced he will not seek reelection to the Senate and will instead seek the state's governorship, which is up for grabs this year.

Liffrey joins the governor's race late, and other NAT candidates, such as state Sen. Jean Kane, Lt. Gov. Phil Wantanab, former Lansdale Mayor Pat Gaynor, and Assemblywoman Elaine Najiscoto, are already established. 

However, Liffrey brings high name recognition to the race and a strong fundraising prowess. On the first official day of his campaign, he raised $1.7 million, with many donations coming from out of state donors.

His candidacy for governor is a blow to Federal Senate Nationalists, as they seek to rebuild their ranks following a massive loss in the 2024 elections that saw the NAT lose its majority for the first time in 20 years.

Senate Minority Leader Debbie Madronas (N-Damoign) had personally lobbied Liffrey on multiple occasions, staff for both senators confirmed. 

In a closed door meeting with the entire NAT caucus, Madronas admonished senators up for reelection this year to seek reelection, since the NAT is in the minority and most of the Senate races this year are NAT-held seats, and incumbents usually have an edge in elections.

But sources close to Liffrey say the senator has long had his eye on the governorship, and he feels the current candidates running on the NAT side are weak.

"John Paul jumped in this race because he looked at who the NAT had and he just didn't feel any of them can beat Austin Mendajara," said one source close to Liffrey, who asked for anonymity to discuss their private conversations.

Mendajara, the state's Attorney General, is the leading CNS candidate for governor, though he'll have to work his way through a contentious CNS primary race that includes former gubernatorial nominee Mike Indano, businessman Dick Johnson, Assemblywoman Nancy Garblake, professional baseball manager Tommy Maddox, and realtor Terry Silvi.

Mendajara, a 44-year-old Hispanic politician from south Lansdale, is the most popular of the Conservative bunch, but also the most moderate, which may hurt him with CNS primary voters, who skew more to the right.

In his campaign announcement, Liffrey, 52, said he is focusing his campaign on affordability and kitchen table issues.

"The Conservative candidates in this race don't understand the affordability challenges POGers face. They don't know what it's like to go to the grocery store and have to check your bank account first. They don't know what it's like to choose between your utility bill and putting food in your refrigerator. POG needs a governor who understands the costs and strains people in this state face," said Liffrey in a video announcement, surrounded by his wife and teenage kids.

Liffrey's entry into the governor's race means the NAT will have yet another open seat to defend in the Senate this year. And it's unclear which NAT candidates will jump into the race.

Former Sen. Max Kiesling (N) has expressed interest, as have Assemblywomen Maria Adebos and Jill Yateri, and former Sen. Charlie Quince (N).

On the Conservative side, former senator Dick Trau announced his intention to seek the seat. College regent Mike Holloway, who has previously ran for the senate unsuccessfully, also announced his candidacy.

Holloway is the more right-wing of the two. Trau lost reelection in 2022 to Nationalist Jim Mahenas. Trau sought Diane Coke's seat in 2024 but lost in the primary race to Conservative professional baseball coach and businessman Tommy Maddox, who in turn lost to Coke.

Rather than seek the senate seat again this year, Maddox opted to run for governor.

Polls have shown a close race for governor, with several candidates from both parties struggling for name recognition with voters.

Whoever wins both parties' primaries will likely face a hard-fought general election race, as both parties are expected to pour millions of dollars into the high-stakes race in the nation's second-most-populous state.

Another uncertainty is outgoing Gov. Ramon Ramos (N), who may run for president in 2028, or could also seek Liffrey's vacant senate seat.

In a statement on his social media channels, Ramos praised Liffrey for "his pragmatic approach to legislating" and for "charting a middle-of-the-road path through the Senate, a path that works for all POGeans."

Liffrey's late entry into the race may hinder his candidacy, but he announced an aggressive fundraising tour in order to qualify for the first televised debate in the race, scheduled for May 17. Candidates must have raised $5 million or be polling at more than 10 percent with NAT primary voters.

NAT senators try to persuade O'Larra, Liffrey to seek reelection instead of governorships

MAVOCKE -- With the NAT being in the minority in the Federal Senate, it's more tempting than ever for ambitious NAT senators to leave the chamber and seek governorships in their home states.

Senate Minority Leader Debbie Madronas (N-DMG), Asst. Minority Leader Nadan Saralo (N-WEL) and many in the NAT caucus are hoping to persuade their colleagues who are toying with the notion to seek reelection to the Senate anyway, despite the allure of state governorships.

The latest senators to be courted by their colleagues are Onakiah's Ernie O'Larra and POG's John Paul Liffrey, who are both up for reelection this year.

Liffrey had long been eyeing POG's open governor's seat, which is up for grabs this year.

The young senator from Kingham is known for his moderate policies and for his photogenic temperament. He'd be the most high-profile Nationalist candidate in the race, should he decided to run.

O'Larra has more recently entertained the idea of seeking his state's governorship.

Popular Conservative incumbent Bobby Hafen is up for reelection this year, and it'd be tough to dethrone him.

O'Larra is popular, too, though. And his moderate voting record would lend him real credibility in a conservative state.

Spokespeople for both Liffrey and O'Larra have confirmed that both senators have received visits from Madronas, Saralo and other NAT senators, with the intention being to dissuade the two from seeking governorships.

Madronas also reportedly spoke candidly with all NAT senators at a caucus meeting. 

Cameras are not allowed in caucus meetings, but sources who attended, including senators and their staff members, all confirmed to GNN that Madronas urged NAT members who are up for reelection to seek reelection to the Senate instead of seeking governorships.

"Simply put, the NAT cannot afford to have all our incumbent senators leave and go seek office elsewhere," said one NAT senator, who asked not to be identified because the meeting was supposed to be confidential.

For now, both Liffrey and O'Larra have not announced plans to run for governor in their respective states. And both are relatively young (48 and 52, respectively), so they could easily run for governor in four years.

But the fact they're considering abandoning their Senate seats and possibly running for other positions has to be concerning to Madronas, as she seeks to rebuild the party's ranks after 2024's Conservative wave election, which saw the NAT lose eight seats and the Conservatives retake the majority for the first time in 20 years.

Others in the business say it's nearly too late for Liffrey and O'Larra to jump into their states' governors races anyway. Other candidates are already established and have taken front-runner status.

"It would be a tall order for these two senators to suddenly enter the race and leap into the lead. Not impossible, but tough," said Matt Hawkins, a political analyst with the Midway Group.

Neither Liffrey nor O'Larra have commented on running for governor. But both have expressed interest in the idea in the past.

For the time being, they remain in the Senate and have officially filed paperwork to seek reelection.

Neither have a prominent Conservative opponent yet, and both have healthy war chests to fund their campaigns.

The main question at this point is if the Conservatives will hold their majority and maintain a lead in the upper chamber, or if the Nationalists will be able to swing the Senate back into their hands; a doubtful outcome but technically possible.

Most experts agree it will likely take several elections before the NAT can claw its way back to power in the Senate, although recent elections have seen up to nine incumbent senators lose reelection, so it's not beyond the realm of possibilities.

Staying in the Senate, though, would be a big help to Madronas, and could curry favor with the minority leader after the election, which could see both Liffrey and O'Larra elevated to higher-profile committee positions and leadership titles.

Presently, the POG governor's race is rated as a toss-up. The Onakiah governor's race is rated as "Conservative Favored."

Mike Lembcke trailing NAT opponents in S. Ceona

FAIRFIELD, S.C. -- The "governors curse" in South Ceona may strike again in the 2026 election.

South Ceona has never reelected a governor since statehood. It's had a series of one-term governors, alternating between both political parties.

Incumbent Gov. Mike Lembcke (C) appears to be headed for a similar fate as his predecessors, according to new polling from Opinion Research.

In hypothetical match-ups with his two NAT opponents, Lembcke is trailing.

He trails badly against former NAT Gov. Scott Bannich, 44 to 54 percent, respectively.

Lembcke fares somewhat better against former Attorney General Patty Volston (N). She leads him 51 to 48 percent, respectively.

It's bad news for Conservatives, who were hoping to break the state's "governors curse" this year.

Lembcke, a former federal senator and prosecutor, was first elected back in 2022, when he beat then-Governor Brett Ratenzy (N) 51 to 48 percent.

But a lackluster job market, an increasingly strained housing market due to large population growth, and  poor communication from the governor's office have made Lembcke vulnerable.

Critics -- even fellow Conservatives -- say Lembcke is not visible enough in the state. He makes far less public appearances than previous governors or governors from neighboring states. And his gruff, brusk personality is off-putting, some say.

"I think Mike Lembcke's greatest weakness is Mike Lembcke," said state Sen. Neal Dorion (C-Averon). "If he would get out and see the people more, do more press conferences, more ribbon cuttings, get his face out there more...and if he would joke around a little more and show a relaxed side, I think people could identify with him more."

Lembcke has been criticized for being uptight and dour.

"He rarely smiles, only when he screws the NAT over. He rarely interacts with the public. He's not a governor of the people," NAT state Rep. Anna Olshean (Fairfield Inner) told the GBC.

The governor's office has pushed back.

"Governor Lembcke is not a happy-go-lucky guy. He is a serious leader, he is a tough leader. He doesn't joke around a lot because that's not his personality. He's not a golden retriever, he's a lion," said the governor's press secretary Alaina Kempson. "If people want a flowery governor who just cuts ribbons and does photo ops but doesn't actually do anything important, then they should elect a 'feel good' Nationalist who will give everyone what they want and raise everyone's taxes."

Bannich, who served as the state's inaugural governor from 2013 to 2015, was similarly criticized at the time for being too stiff and unapproachable.

But since he left office, Bannich has repaired his public image. A dentist by trade, the former governor returned to his dental practice in east Fairfield, working with low-income patients who can't afford dental care.

He's spoken out on labor issues, on affordability, and has championed populist policies that have resonated with the working class and with average South Ceonans.

Lembcke, on the other hand, has been a staunch Conservative champion of right-wing policies. He's adopted a tough-on-crime approach, as well as a hardline pro-business stance, rolling back many of the pro-worker policies previous NAT governors enacted.

"This governor is anti-worker, anti-environment, and anti-human rights," said Leo Nolan, director of the South Ceona Human Rights Coalition.

"Mike Lembcke has expanded logging in our forests, he's expanded the use of carbon-producing energy, he's cracked down on protesters who are lawfully exercising their rights, and he has empowered big business at the expense of average South Ceonans," added Nolan.

While Lembcke's recent poll numbers are lackluster, the CNS is rushing to defend his record.

"Mike Lembcke may not be the most smiley, photogenic governor out there. He's maybe not warm and fuzzy. But he is right on policy. He supports law enforcement. He supports business. He supports our rural communities. He's focused on the issues South Ceonans care about," said Rich Negley, a spokesman for the Conservative Governors Association (CGA).

While Nationalists may have the edge in the polls right now, they face a difficult primary between two former popular statewide officials, Bannich and Volston.

National and state party leaders spent months trying to talk Volston out of running for governor, hoping to avoid a nasty intra-party battle. But the former attorney general pushed ahead.

"I love Scott. I think he's a great guy and he's done a lot of great things for our state. But I still believe I'm the best person to take on Mike Lembcke. So I'm not leaving the race," said Volston in a recent press conference at her home in rural Englehardt County.

She continued: "My whole life I've been pushed around and told what to do because I'm a woman in a man's world (politics). But I have never backed down and I'm not going to back down this time either. I will let the good voters of South Ceona, specifically the NAT voters, decide who they want to represent our party heading into the 2026 election."

Bannich responded, telling a Fairfield radio host that he "respects" Volston, and he wouldn't ask her to step out of the race.

"I know some people pressured her to drop out. I never did and I never would do that. I'm not afraid of some healthy competition, and I think both Patty and I have good records to run on. We've both championed pragmatic policies during our careers. If she wins, I think she'll do a good job and I think she'll beat Mike Lembcke. If I win, I know I'll beat Mike Lembcke and I know I'll do a good job. So, either way, I'm not worried about the outcome of this primary election," said Bannich.

If Bannich wins the primary and beats Lembcke, the former will become the first governor in state history to be reelected, albeit to a non-consecutive term.

If Volston wins the NAT's backing and defeats Lembcke, she will become the state's first female governor.

Right now, Dr. Kerry Rudgley from Dulkalow University ranks the South Ceona governor's race as a "toss-up." However, the new poll results may push the race into the "Leans NAT" column.