In the governor's race, on the Conservative side, former Drogen County Sheriff Mark Radowski won his party's nomination. In a crowded four-way race, Radowski beat out Lt. Gov. Marie Dehignen, businessman Bill Broadbent, and former Senate candidate Steve Mickelson, who made a late entry into the race.
Radowski won with just 28.4 percent -- a slight but decisive plurality.
At his election night party in Aeropark, just west of Lamberth, Radowski thanked the voters for giving him another chance after several close but ultimately failed runs for Federal Senate.
"I know that elections matter, that winning matters, and I know that your trust is not cheap," he said. "I am taking this race for governor seriously, and I am determined to win this December."
Radowski's NAT opponent is still unknown. In a three-way race, former Gov. Karen DeSalle led ever-so-slightly on primary election night, with 42.7 percent, barely ahead of former Gov. Nick Hall, who had 42.5 percent, respectively.
Both were far ahead of NAT businessman Chris Kinlock, who pulled in just under 15 percent.
Both DeSalle and Hall were hesitant to claim victory on primary election night. At her celebration in downtown Lamberth, DeSalle said "we have more waiting to do" before knowing the full result.
Hall, at his election night gathering on the South Slope, also urged caution.
"It's really too close to say who has won, at this point," he said.
Kinlock, a political newcomer and moderate businessman from southwest Lamberth, conceded at his election night rally. He said he had not made up his mind about which fellow Nationalist, if either, he would support in the general election.
On Lamberth's north-central side, Dehignen conceded to Radowski, telling her supporters, who gathered at Tony Ritonio's Italian restaurant, that the outcome was "difficult to accept" but "clear."
"It's close, but not that close," Dehignen told reporters after speaking to her supporters. "This was a close race. It always has been a close race. It would have been a close race whether it was a four-way race or a three-way race or two-way race. I don't think it would have mattered much. This was a tight contest. But it was decisive and the result is clear: Mark Radowski is our nominee, and it's time to come together to support him."
Broadbent, at his celebration on Curillo Bay, northeast of the city, also conceded to Radowski, and urged the party to come together.
"The only way the Conservative Party wins in Kalnier is if we are all united and stand together strong," said Broadbent. "I wholeheartedly endorse Mark Radowski against whichever radical left candidate the Nationalists pick."
Southwest of Lamberth in the idyllic suburban countryside of St. Pierre County, Mickelson, too, acknowledged the Conservative race's outcome, and reflected on his disappointment at finishing last in the primary.
"I congratulate Mark Radowski, and I wish him the best as he continues his campaign," said Mickelson.
The businessman and former stock broker acknowledged to reporters that his late entry into the race was detrimental to his campaign.
"I think we entered the race too late. I think we didn't have much time to get our campaign off the ground. Which is disappointing. Had we had more time in the race, had we been more front-and-center and had more publicity, I think we would have won. But lessons are learned, and we move on," said Mickelson.
The race had previously been dominated by Dehignen, the state's current lieutenant governor who had the endorsement of outgoing Gov. Tony Ritonio, and Radowski, whose tough-on-crime policies resonate with the party's law-and-order faction.
But Broadbent's entrance into the race last year turned the contest into a competitive three-way face-off. While his personal wealth was a turn-off to some voters, many liked the businessman's populist policies and open disregard for political correctness.
Mickelson had vacillated between a run for governor or for Federal Senate. He ultimately chose the governor's race, but didn't enter the race until early 2026, by which point, his three competitors had already secured endorsements, raised considerable amounts of money, and had staked out top status in the race.
Mickelson's moderate policy positions also flopped against his three more right-wing challengers.
Still, despite finishing last in party's primary, the moderate businessman says he will remain involved in Kalnier politics, though he didn't specify what role he would play.
Mickelson, along with Broadbent and Dehignen, ruled out serving as Radowski's running mate.
But the wealthy businessman did not rule out donating money to the Radowski campaign.
Kalnier remains a left-leaning state, but moderate Conservatives, such as Ritonio, have won some races.
In 2024, mainstream Conservative and construction company owner Scott Revard narrowly defeated Sen. Paul LeBouse (N).
Ritonio's two terms in office -- from 2015 to 2019 and from 2023 to present -- have seen him enjoy mixed popularity, with his approval ratings higher in his first term, overall.
But his latest approval ranking showed 51% of voters approving of his performance. And Conservative officials are hoping their next CNS candidate can ride Ritonio's coattails into office in the fall.
Nationalists are hoping to bury the hatchet after a sanctimonious and heated primary between DeSalle and Hall, two former governors who both want a second shot at their old jobs.
The NAT is looking to reclaim the governorship after Ritonio's current term ends in January.
However, both DeSalle and Hall carry baggage.
DeSalle's icy personality and obsessive gender politics have brought her criticism from even many within her own party.
Hall's youth and inexperience, and his further left-wing views that have espoused socialism, have caused many Nationalists to question his chances of winning in the fall election.
For Radowski, he is happy to run against either NAT candidate.
"Whether it's Karen, who really doesn't need a nickname because she is literally a "Karen," she fits that stereotype perfectly," said a taunting Radowski. "Whether it's 'Deranged Desalle' and her temper tantrums, or 'No Brains Nick' and his socialist giveaways, free lunch for everybody policies, I am excited to run against either of them. I think we can easily beat these two radical left lunatics, and I look forward to spending the next few months showing Kalnierans just how insane these two candidates are."
***Unofficial Results -- Kalnier Governor's Race***
***NAT Primary***
| 354,430 | 352,704 | 122,789 |
| 42.71% | 42.50% | 14.80% |
| 42.71% | 42.50% | 14.80% |
| DeSalle | Hall | Kinlock |
***CNS Primary***
| 211,716 | 225,370 | 199,789 | 157,455 |
| 26.65% | 28.37% | 25.15% | 19.82% |
| 26.65% | 28.37% | 25.15% | 19.82% |
| Dehignen | Radowski | Broadbent | Mickelson |
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