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.
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