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.
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