Beamer grabs early lead in Deschire governor's race

BERIVIAN, Deschire--Representative Jan Beamer has grabbed an early lead in Deschire's gubernatorial race, a new poll shows.

A newly-published Opinion Research poll shows Beamer (N) leading with 40%, followed by Democratic-Reformist businessman Grant Riley with 33% and Conservative businessman Robert Mar with 27 per cent.

The poll finds Beamer dominating in the Berivian metropolitan area, the state's largest. The Assemblywoman also appears to have strong numbers in Northbridge, the state's capitol and second-largest city, as well as Brookeford and Dash Knoll in the northwest, and Humboldton in the central part of the state.

Grant Riley, who previously ran for governor back in 2007 (he finished second behind Conservative Sharon Kelley), has a strong appeal in rural counties, where voters trend Conservative, but are frustrated with the out-going and unpopular incumbent Kelley, who many feel has failed to deliver on campaign promises.

Rural voters also heavily identify with Riley's populist views and cynicism toward both major parties.

In addition, Conservative candidate Robert Mar, a businessman from Berivian, is not as well-known as Riley and Beamer.

About two thirds of respondents said they did not know Mar or did not know enough about him to form an opinion.

The quiet and reserved Mar has struggled to rise above the much more visible and charismatic Riley, whom many see as a stronger center-right candidate, despite his Democratic-Reformist party affiliation.

The poll is bad news for supporters of Grant Riley and Robert Mar, however, as it indicates the two similar candidates are splitting the conservative vote.

Nationalists are ecstatic at the prospect of reclaiming a seat they previously held.

"This poll is the latest in a string that shows Jan Beamer leading handily in Deschire, because her policies are right on track with what Deschireans need and want," Allison Guthrie, a spokeswoman for the Nationalist Governor's Association (NATGA) told the NPF.

The Riley campaign says it is very early in the election season, and there is still plenty of time to turn around the poll numbers.

"Trust me, by the time the election rolls around, voters in Deschire will be very well-briefed and acquainted with the failed policies of Jan Beamer and the Nationalist Party," Keith Allud, spokesman for Riley's campaign, was quoted as saying on the political website Mud Piety.

Conservatives also say there is still plenty of time left until the election, and stress their candidate Robert Mar is not as well-known because he's never ran for political office before.

"Robert Mar has not been in Mavocke for eight years. He hasn't ran for governor before. This is his first foray into politics, and it should be expected he has some work to do to get his name out in the public sphere," CNS strategist Alan Gould said on Jerry Quigsby's Around the Horn program on GNN.

The Opinion Research poll is in line with other recent polls, which show by various numbers Beamer leading, followed by Riley, and Mar trailing in third place.

Dr. Kerry Rudgley, head of Dulkalow University's Edinough School of Government, rates the Deschire gubernatorial race as "likely Nationalist gain."

5 dead after sorority house fire

CROWDERVILLE, Damoign--Five people have died in an overnight sorority house fire in southeastern Damoign.

 The fire tore through the old, three-story home in north Crowderville around 3:00 am eastern time. Neighbors called 911 and broke windows to help rescue people trapped inside.

Seventeen people were accounted for outside on the street as fire crews arrived on the scene, but five women were unable to escape.

"We do know at this time there are five deceased in the northeast corner of the basement of the building," Deputy Fire Chief Scott Klegger said.

Klegger warned there may be more victims.

"We're not exactly sure how many people were inside the building at the time the fire broke out. Obviously, it's a sorority house, and there are a lot of young women that lived in this building; a lot of people come and go, and so no one knows for sure the exact number of people that were inside when the fire occurred," Klegger said.

Klegger also indicated the sorority may have hosted a party before the fire broke out.

"We're working right now with the Crowderville Police Department to determine if there was a party or gathering involving alcohol and drugs directly preceding the fire," Klegger said. "Obviously, there may have been a lot of people attending a party, and if alcohol or illegal drugs were involved, that could potentially have contributed to impairment and confusion in an emergency situation."

Christina Klineman, who is the president of the sorority group that occupies the house, told a Crowderville TV news station the five victims were all members of the sorority and students at nearby Civica University.

Officials are not releasing information until identities have been verified and next of kin have been contacted.

Olympic medalist announces Senate bid

LANSDALE--Track and field Olympic champion Damien Rudcliffe has announced he is running for POG's Senate seat in the 2012 election.

The 30-year-old Olympic star, who won a silver medal in the 1500 metre challenge at the 2004 games in Sydney and a gold medal in the same event in 2008 in Beijing, will run for the seat currently held by Conservative incumbent Charlie Quince.

Rudcliffe will run as a Nationalist.

He faces four other declared candidates, including Rep. Jill Yateri (Hapler Valley), Rep. Deacon Busby (Kilney), former Lt. Gov. George Mercott, and businessman Pat Gaynor of Lansdale.

Rudcliffe has not formally announced his campaign, but a personal source tipped off the Lansdale Focus, which is reporting the track star will make a formal announcement within a week.

The Conservative side is also crowded, with six candidates challenging Quince, who was appointed by Gov. Donna Almone in 2007 and has never been elected to the Senate.

The first delegate elections take place on May 16.    

Six Conservatives to challenge Quince in Senate primary

LANSDALE--There are many familiar faces in the POG Senate primary race.

As of the filing date, six Conservatives--all of whom ran in 2010--have announced they will challenge incumbent Sen. Charlie Quince for their party's nomination.

Running against Quince are MPs Julie Dennings, who represents the electorate of Dynsmore Hills, Fran Habries, who represents Canton North, Reuben Stykes, who represents the seat of Kyena, and Tanner Zannie, who represents Black Forest.

Businessmen Terry Silvi of Garamond Lake and Mike Indano of Kingham are also running (Indano ran as an independent in 2010, and is now running as a Conservative).

Quince formerly served in the National Assembly, and was appointed to the Senate by Gov. Donna Almone in 2007 to fill out the remainder of longtime Sen. Newton Jeffs' term.

This will be Quince's first Senate race, and he faces an uphill battle after several years of a very centrist voting record in the Senate have upset many of his fellow Conservatives.

Furthermore, Quince has done little to distinguish himself in the Senate, and has been less-than-enthusiastic to embrace the more conservative positions of POG's other CNS senators, Dick Trau and freshman Bobby Hafen Jr.

All of this has prompted Dr. Kerry Rudgley, Director of Dulkalow University's Edinough School of Government, to rate Quince as the most vulnerable senator in the primary season.

"There's a good chance Charlie Quince will not win his party's nomination for the 2012 election," Rudgley said in a video on his website.

Quince's opponents have taken him to task over his breaking with the party on national security, economic and education issues. He has sided with Nationalists on several major votes, angering party leadership and his constituents.

"Charlie Quince has not represented the people of POG the way they want to be represented. He has consistently sided with the liberal Nationalist agenda while in the Senate," Rep. Julie Dennings, who nearly won the CNS Senate nomination in 2010, told GBC Local Radio KEYD 1049 AM.

The most harsh criticism came from Reps. Fran Habries and Tanner Zannie.

Habries told GNN's James Madine Quince should be "trounced" from office for his forsaking of party ideals, while Zannie told POG political blogger Kyle Stevens that Quince is having an "identity crisis."

"He can't decide if he's a Conservative or a liberal," Zannie mused.

Quince's three other challengers took a much more tempered approach. Terry Silvi told the Lansdale Focus that Quince had failed to show economic leadership in the Senate, and had failed to stand up for business interests within the province.

Indano told the POG Press Association, "We can do better," regarding choosing a senator.

Reuben Stykes simply told the Mavocke Capitol that "it is time for new leadership in the Senate."

Quince, for his part, has defended his record in the Senate, and has pointed to his bipartisanship while in office as proof he is getting things done.

He's been active in fundraising, pulling in about $1.3 million since December, but that number is relatively small for a POG Senate candidate, and he's done little campaigning, as most of his fundraisers have been in Mavocke.

"He's not POG's senator, he's Mavocke's senator. He should represent them instead. He spends more time there and obviously likes Mavocke more than his home state," Zannie said.

Quince's campaign rebuffed those comments, saying the senator "cares deeply" about POG and has "fought for the province since day one" in the Senate. The campaign also points out at least one fundraiser was held in the city of Brockhaven in east-central POG, and the senator has a host of upcoming events in the province.

"Senator Quince knows how Mavocke works. In order to get things done, you have to have connections and be networked with the right people. Charlie Quince knows that, and while he and his briefcase are often in Mavocke working for the province, his home and heart will always be in POG," spokeswoman Karina Wilmbach said in a phone interview with the NPF.

POG is a "delegate state," meaning candidates for statewide offices win their parties' nominations not in a statewide primary election, but in a series of smaller local elections in all of POG's 128 counties.

The first round of county elections is set for May 16.

Plane disappears from radar off POG coast

GLENDENING, Province of Grassadellia--The Coast Guard is scouring the northern coast of POG after a small jet went off the radar while flying over the Lorean Sea near the coastline.

The private Cessna Citation CJ3 jet was about eight miles off the coast of northern POG at 7:45 pm Tuesday when it disappeared off the radar screen.

Air traffic controllers at Glendening National Airport lost contact with the aircraft around the same time.

There are believed to have been four people on board the plane, which was bound for Glendening, POG.

The National Aviation Authority (NAA) is investigating, but has released few details, including the name of the jet's owner.

The search for the plane will continue tomorrow morning at daybreak.

NAT leaders condemn liberal group's hackings

MAVOCKE--Assembly Minority Leader Allison McGint has condemned a liberal group and its anonymous website hackings that have targeted Conservative members of parliament.

At a press conference Monday, McGint, a Nationalist member for Salberry in central Damoign, called the tactics "childish" and "disrespectful."

In particular, McGint took issue with the sexist and personal insults made against various members of the National Assembly, most recently, East Deschire Rep. Sara Fraser, of whom hacksters posted offensive pictures online after hacking Fraser's Twitter account.

"This kind of behavior is childish and disrespectful, and if anyone--regardless of political stripe or belief--engages in this kind of behavior, it demeans the political process and degrades the political leaders who are targeted," McGint said.

She added the group has no support from the Nationalist Party or parliamentary leaders.

"In no way is this anonymous group affiliated with or supported or funded by the Nationalist Party. Our party strongly disavows sexist and offensive attacks on members of parliament," she said.

Later in the day, Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (N-Lial) also criticized the attacks.

"These tactics really disrupt the political process, and they are a distraction and made in distaste. No member of parliament should ever be demeaned or made fun of because of their gender or race or religion. That's not the Grassadellian way," Morandi said.

Conservatives have decried the hackings, and claim the NAT has been slow to condemn them.

"The Nationalist Party has been inexcusably slow to disavow these kinds of offensive attacks on Conservatives. It begs the question, and makes you wonder: is the NAT behind these attacks? Or are they just amused by them and allowing their party's extremists to continue this type of political degradation?" Rep. Gary Kessler, member for Solomon, Veroche said in an interview with the GBC.

Assembly Majority Leader Brandon O'Malley, Conservative member for Coupling-Olean Basin in Damoign, also questioned the NAT's sincerity in condemning the attacks.

"This sort of thing happens in politics. Extremists on both sides will hijack the political process and hack into websites and say hurtful things and post inappropriate images and content. This sort of thing happens, unfortunately. And I think it's very telling that the Nationalist Party has been extremely slow to denounce these Twitter attacks, particularly those on Conservative women," O'Malley said in a press conference Monday.

Conservative women in the Assembly also voiced their opinions on the matter.

"There's no doubt that women face a higher hurdle in the political world," Veroche Rep. Beth McGill, of Jilanovich-East Waters, said in an interview with the Grassadellia City Times.

"There's a lot of sexism out there, and it's ironic that the Nationalist Party, which prides itself on being the 'pro-women party,' is allowing this kind of behavior to continue and has been slow to distance themselves from it."

Crown Police are continuing to investigate the hackings, although the agency has publicly said few resources have been assigned to the issue thus far because of the relatively innocent nature of the web crimes.

"We certainly do care about cyber security and cyber privacy," Crown Police spokesman John Goening told the NPF. "But we have to devote our resources to crimes that are very serious in nature and more threatening to public safety than internet hackings."

"This investigation is ongoing, however, and we discourage any group from trying to hack into any website where they're not permitted. Our cyber crimes unit will catch up with them eventually," Goening said.

Assemblywoman's Twitter account hacked again

MAVOCKE--The Twitter account belonging to East Deschire Assemblywoman Sara Fraser, Conservative member for Bridgeworth, has been hacked for the third time in the past seven months.

Wednesday evening, Fraser's account started "tweeting" comments targeting the assemblywoman.

"I'm a hypocrite for supporting 'energy independence' while giving money to the big oil companies," one post said.

Another post equated Fraser with US Republican politician Sarah Palin.

"When it comes to stupid conservative women, America has Sarah Palin and Grassadellia has Sara Fraser!" the post read.

Another post featured a link to a photo-shopped picture of Fraser in a bikini, and one final post falsely announced Fraser's resignation.

"Because I cannot fairly represent my constituents, I will be resigning my seat for Bridgeworth effective tomorrow."

Fraser's office was finally alerted to the hacking, and quickly deleted the posts and responded to them.

"Hacked yet again by the radical liberal haters. Seems their only tactic is hacking and hurting others." read an actual post from Fraser.

Fraser's office says her account has been repeatedly targeted by a militant liberal group known as "Progressive Warriors," a play on the conservative "Freedom Warriors" movement that arose last summer.

The liberal group has confirmed it has been responsible for the hackings., which took place first in October 2011 and then in January of this year.

Crown Police have been investigating, but say they have yet to find the hacksters, who often operate anonymously.

The group has gone after other members of parliament, and a spokesperson for the Crown Police said the agency is investigating but is not offering a reward for information.

"We don't waste public money by posting rewards for hackings. There are more important things to post rewards for," Sgt. Dan Swacker said.

However, Fraser's campaign is using the hackings as a fundraiser. Her campaign sent out another email Thursday morning, calling on her supporters to "silence these liberal militants once and for all."

"Nothing would enrage the left-wing liberals more than to have Sara Fraser re-elected for Bridgeworth in December," the email said.

Fraser also said on a local radio program in Derosa, East Deschire, that she considers the fact she's been targeted by the liberal "extremists" to be a compliment.

"Obviously, they find me very threatening, or they wouldn't be targeting me," she said. "I find that quite flattering, that out of all the members of the Bodies, they would go after me so diligently."

The Progressive Warriors group has not responded to Fraser's latest comments. NAT leaders say the group is not backed by them nor are they aware of the group's membership. But they have declined to condemn the PW's tactics.

"I think it's kind of funny," Damoign Rep. Chaz Beio, member for Bluedenny, told reporters in the capitol rotunda.

"You know, if they're posting things that are extremely hurtful and disrespectful, that's not cool. But if they're just posting ridiculous little things like what I've heard about, it's kind of humorous. And if you don't like it, that's politics. It's rough and tumble." 

Webster refuses to support Garesby, Faller; backs Frenitch, Emaria

HARLYNE, Harvannah--Christian conservative activist Jill Webster says the right-wing political action committee (PAC) she founded will not support the Conservative candidates for Harvannah's governorship and senate seat.

Webster's PAC, called "Christians With a Conscience," will not endorse or monetarily back gubernatorial candidate George Garesby or federal senate candidate Robert Faller Jr. because of their "too progressive views" on social issues.

"Mr. Garesby and Mr. Faller do not support a real, true conservative agenda," Webster said at a Monday afternoon press conference in Harlyne. "CWC-PAC only endorses candidates it feels are genuine conservatives; people that will not sell-out to the liberal agenda-pushing media and feel-good culture, but people that are set in their values and stand firmly for the conservative causes they believe in."

Webster also declined to endorse Rep. Frank Kerenbury (C-Ducheffrey) and Hugh Brogan, the CNS candidate for Gilbourne, both of whom also failed to meet her conservative litmus test. Todd Kren, the CNS candidate for lieutenant governor, was also passed by for an endorsement.

But she did announce support for Rep. Steve Frenitch of Londigan, whom she praised as a "moral man." She also endorsed Hal Swenson, the Conservative candidate for the electorate of Ashford-North Shore, calling him a "conservative warrior."

Also receiving support from the CWC is attorney general candidate Julio Emaria, whom Webster hopes will be a rising conservative star in the state.

"We desperately need a strong, committed conservative leader in the attorney general's seat, and I see a lot of potential in Julio Emaria. He's a dedicated family man and really a great young man with a great head on his shoulders."

Jennifer Giorchani, the current Conservative secretary of state who is up for re-election this year, will not be endorsed by the CWC, but only because the CWC will not weigh in on the secretary of state race.

"While we feel there should be good Christian leaders in every position in the state, the secretary of state's position is really a non-partisan and non-ideological position, and we have to choose wisely where to invest our resources," Webster said.

Webster formed the CWC-PAC last year, and so far the ultra-conservative organization, which is not affiliated with or sanctioned by the Conservative party, has raised about $170,000.

Few Conservative candidates in Harvannah have sought the backing of the right-wing organization, as Harvannah tends to lean toward the liberal end of the political spectrum. Support from a non-mainstream organization such as Webster's would likely be more of a political liability than an asset.

Following the announcement, Frenitch's campaign tried to distance the assemblyman from the far-right PAC, telling the National Press Federation (NPF) that "the assemblyman appreciates support from anyone, but strives to be a representative for everyone."

Swenson enthusiastically welcomed Webster's endorsement, saying he will "partner with anyone to create a a conservative government" on the local, state and national level.

Emaria's campaign did not comment on the endorsement.

Webster has proved to be a headache for CNS party officials, particularly when she ran a write-in campaign in the last federal senate race, siphoning votes from CNS candidate Bourret Magiscanti, who ended up losing his re-election bid to NAT candidate Glenn Rosen. Webster made the long-shot bid in protest of Magiscanti's moderate positions on social issues.

Nevertheless, Webster is hoping to use her political organization to boost her influence as a king-maker in the Harvannah CNS party.

"This is just the beginning of a real, genuine, honest-to-goodness conservative revolution in this state."

Hoffa: George Garesby is Mark Andres' 'worst nightmare'

MATTINOW, Damoign--The head of the Conservative Governor's Association (CGA) says his party's nominee for governor of Harvannah is the NAT incumbent governor's 'worst nightmare.'

Speaking on the Daily Grind political cable show, Damoign Gov. Sid Hoffa, who leads the CGA, told host Jeff MacDonald that George Garesby, the mayor of Harrisport in northwestern Harvannah, is the strongest and most viable candidate the Conservative Party could nominate for the general election.

"I think this weekend [election] ended in the worst possible way for [incumbent Nationalist] Mark Andres," Hoffa told MacDonald. "George Garesby is the strongest person to take on Mark Andres. He is Andres' worst nightmare."

The affable mayor of Harrisport won Saturday's primary election, narrowly fending off state Attorney General and former gubernatorial candidate Julia Giorchani. Garesby also defeated businessman Tom Marelo and Rich Tuller, CEO of a regional telecommunications company.

During the primary election, the CGA remained neutral. But CNS insiders say top party officials were privately hoping the more moderate Garesby would win over the outspoken and more conservative Julia Giorchani.

Garesby was seen as the most viable of the four CNS candidates, and his clinching of the nomination delighted party leaders throughout the state.

"I am so happy my friend and colleague George Garesby has won the primary," former Conservative Sen. Andre "Bourret" Magiscanti told the Harlyne Sun newspaper Monday.

Another close friend of Garesby's, current Conservative Sen. Dick Ammons, told the Mavocke Capitol newspaper he "cannot think of a better person to serve as governor."

"George has all the qualities a good governor needs to have--knowledge, fortitude, humility, civility, sincerity, bravery, integrity. That's something we're really missing in our state's leadership right now," Ammons said.

For their part, the Nationalist Governor's Association (NATGA), headed by East Deschire Gov. Lynn DeMont, quickly jumped on Garesby, and has already released a web video portraying him as a zig-zagger.

"George Garesby has shifted from his moderate positions to more conservative ones when it comes to taxes and abortion," the ad claims. "He zig zags back and forth from moderate to the far-right."

Nationalists say the "shift" in Garesby's positions is based on his record of increasing some taxes while mayor of Harrisport. This shift to the right occurred, the NAT alleges, when Garesby pledged to not increase taxes unless he "absolutely" had to during the primary.

On abortion, the mayor has always been pro-choice, and has remained so during the primary campaign. However, Giorchani's criticism that Garesby was "just as liberal as Mark Andres" caused the mayor to denounce abortion and moderate his views.

He called for less abortions, saying "no one wants more abortions. The goal should be to reduce them, but we have to do it through less intrusive ways and the government needs to stay out of it."

After viewing the web ad on the Grind, CGA chair Sid Hoffa dismissed the "zig-zag" attack, telling Jeff MacDonald the attacks are baseless.

"This is just a distraction. It's a distortion and not even accurate. George Garesby has been steadfast in his views on the issues. But that's beside the point. The point is that, at the end of the day, the Nationalists are not going to win by making social controversies a wedge issue in this campaign. Mark Andres has to stand for re-election on his record, and that record is a record of extreme partisanship, a lack of achievement, alienation of the military in the state, an overwhelming budget deficit and increase in taxes, and burdensome environmental regulations that cripple economic growth in Harvannah."

Hoffa ended the interview by saying, "There is no good outcome for Mark Andres in the fall election. There just isn't." 

Augustino wins Ducheffrey NAT primary

HARLYNE, Harvannah--Ray Augustino, president of the Western Harvannah Metropolitan Council (WHMC), has won the NAT primary in the electorate of Ducheffrey in southwestern Harvannah.

Augustino was favored to win, and handily defeated Harlyne Mayor Kallain Carney and former MP Dawn Mattosh.

Augustino won with just over 43 per cent of the vote. Carney trailed with 34 per cent, and Mattosh came in a distant third with 22.6 per cent.

Augustino will go on to face Conservative incumbent Rep. Frank Kerenbury in the 2012 general election.

Elsewhere across the state, Henley Mayor Jill LaFraniere overwhelmingly won her NAT primary race against lawyer and civic activist Dennis Steinhaus in the newly-drawn seat of Ashford-North Shore. LaFraniere garnered 80.5 per cent of the vote, compared to 19.5 per cent for Steinhaus.

In the newly-added electorate of Gilbourne, which encompasses all of Saoca County, most of Herell County, and the western half of Bourneham County, incumbent Rep. Marin Holsh (NAT) won her primary, and Western Harvannah Metropolitan Council (WHMC) member Hugh Brogan of Clevey Springs won the Conservative primary.

And in the seat of Londigan, which includes southeastern Harvannah and Kilgore Island, Conservative incumbent Steve Frenitch faced no opposition in the CNS primary. Cobbleton businessman Don Pinter won the NAT primary with no opposition as well.

Garesby prevails in crowded CNS governor's race

HARRISPORT, Harvannah--The crowded race for the Conservative nomination for governor has come to a close end, with Harrisport Mayor George Garesby clinching victory narrowly.

A final count of ballots showed Garesby winning with 29.13% of the vote. Close behind him was state Attorney General Julia Giorchani with 27.55%. Trailing Giorchani were Goldchrist businessman Tom Marelo with 23.62% and H-Tel CEO Rich Tuller with 19.70%, respectively.

Vote totals showed Garesby leading with 51,290 votes to Giorchani's 48,520. Marelo pulled in 41,595 and Tuller trailed significantly with 34,691.

Garesby's victory marked the end to a long, grueling, and bitter campaign that sharply divided the state Conservative party.

At his victory party at the waterfront Port Club in downtown Harrisport, Garesby thanked his supporters for their determination, and thanked his rivals as well.

"I want to thank all of you for your hard work and support. It's been an excruciating past few months, and this could not have been done without you," he told his supporters. "I also want to thank those that voted for me. It's a privilege to have your vote and trust, and I hope your confidence in me will only grow throughout the rest of this campaign.

"But I'd also like thank my three opponents, who worked very hard and earned a credible amount of support by their own merit. This was a tough campaign, a very, very difficult one with a lot of intensity and emotions to go around, and I would like to thank them, and I think the whole state of Harvannah should thank them for the wonderful contributions each one of them has made to our state and to our party. They are all wonderful people, and we look forward to working with them in the general election campaign and beyond," Garesby said.

During the campaign, the affable mayor from Harrisport took heat from his opponents for his moderate stance on some issues. Garesby's most credible challenger, Julia Giorchani, attacked him for his civil nature, which she considered too passive. She accused Garesby of being too meek and timid in confronting and campaigning against incumbent NAT Governor Mark Andres, and alleged Garesby's "liberal" views were too similar with those of Andres.

On numerous occasions during the campaign, Giorchani attacked Garesby because he was endorsed by the moderate Conservative Senator Dick Ammons. When Garesby was endorsed by his close friend, former Senator Bourret Magiscanti, another distinguished moderate figure in the state party, Giorchani made similar criticisms about Magiscanti's moderate voting record, arguing Harvannah needed a "clear conservative alternative to Mark Andres."

But Giorchani's attacks were not enough to buoy her to victory.

Polls showed conflicting predictions in the last two weeks of the campaign, with some showing Garesby in the lead and some with Giorchani in the lead. The two had largely been neck-and-neck in the polls since October, with Garesby usually leading by only a few percentage points.

However, Garesby's win on election night was enough to end all doubt. On election night, around 11:00 pm, Giorchani admitted her prospects of winning were "grim," but said she would not make a formal decision to concede until after meeting with advisers in the morning. And Sunday afternoon, speaking from her home in rural Herell County, she conceded.

"I called George Garesby this morning and congratulated him on winning. This was a hard-fought, very passionate campaign. It has been exhausting and very tense at times. Obviously, I'm disappointed I did not come out on top. It's always disappointing to lose. But this campaign has also given me an incredible opportunity to meet more people and talk with every day Harvannans about the needs of our state and the desire of the constituents and the direction they want our state to go. I'm so grateful for all the experiences I've had during the past eight months," Giorchani said.

She did not endorse Garesby.

Fellow candidates Tom Marelo and Rich Tuller also conceded, both on election night. Marelo, speaking from the Empire Hotel in downtown Goldchrist, thanked his supporters and congratulated Garesby in his win. But the self-made millionaire also urged Garesby to "not abandon the values of the Conservative party just to win an election."

"I fervently hope that Mr. Garesby does not go back on his Conservative values for the sake of a general election victory. I believe the Conservative agenda is one that people can get behind, and one that people will get behind if we present it in the right way and if we stand by our values," Marelo said to a cheering crowd.

Tuller offered similar sentiments, telling his supporters at a gathering at the Yacht Club in downtown Harlyne that the campaign was "extraordinarily tough," but he was honored to "end the campaign with dignity."

"At many points during the campaign, people suggested that I drop out of the race. I myself even considering leaving the race. This was a tough road that we traveled," Tuller admitted.

"But I ultimately decided to stay in this race because I felt the voters needed a strong economic leader as one of their options. And while I would have loved to have won tonight and would have been honored to win the nomination of our party and the chance to take on Mark Andres, I am still happy with the campaign we ran. I am still happy that we didn't quit early and give up, but we kept on fighting to the end. I think that says a lot about my values and a lot about the values of this campaign and my supporters," Tuller said.

Neither Marelo nor Tuller offered an endorsement of Mr. Garesby.

Garesby's win comes as good news for national Conservative party leaders, who publicly remained neutral during the tense primary, but were privately hoping Garesby would win, as he is seen as the most viable of the four candidates.

A spokeswoman from Mark Andres' team had no comment over the weekend.

Garesby's campaign confirmed the mayor will hold a morning press conference on Monday to address the campaign's future direction and agenda.

Sulley hangs on in HVN primary election

ASHFORD'S LANDING, Harvannah--Nationalist Senator Cal Sulley barely eked out a victory in Harvannah's primary election Saturday night.

The first-term Sulley, who came under fire from the left for his moderate voting record, faced a formidable challenge from the ultra-liberal Ashford's Landing Mayor Peter Levenko.

Harvannah Secretary of State Jennifer Giorchani reported Sulley winning 51.52% to Levenko's 48.48%, with less than 4,000 ballots left to count.

At last count on election night, Sulley had 109,119 votes and Levenko trailed with 103,311.

Levenko conceded the race to Sulley, and thanked his supporters for a spirited campaign. He praised Sulley for his "dedicated service" to the state.

"Cal and I clearly disagree on a number of issues, and to say I'm not disappointed tonight would be a lie. But regardless of where you stand on the issues, and despite not winning tonight, I know Cal has been very dedicated in serving the people of Harvannah over the past few years, and I hope that he will continue to serve his state well and listen more closely to the will of the people," Levenko said at his campaign headquarters in downtown Ashford's Landing.

There was a big sigh of relief at the Sulley campaign celebration at the Ashford Golf and Country Club, where supporters and campaign staff were cautiously optimistic but not sure the incumbent senator would hold back Levenko.

"First of all, I want to thank all of the great Nationalists across this state that voted for me and made this win possible," Sulley said to cheers. "But I also want to thank my wonderful campaign team and all you volunteers for the countless hours of work and sweat and tears you put into this campaign. You have partnered with me to make Harvannah a better state for the past five years, and this fall I will ask you to partner with me again for another six years."

Sulley also called for unity in the state NAT party.

"The worst thing we could do for the fall election is be divided and angry with one another. We have to come together and unite and find common ground. Otherwise, we are just handing ourselves to the Conservatives and allowing them to have a foothold in the general election," Sulley said.

Immediately following Sulley's victory, the Nationalist Senate Campaign Committee, NSCC, released a statement saying they will back Sulley in the general election. The committee was previously uncommitted during the primary.

Sulley will go on to face former Lieutenant Governor Robert Faller Jr., who defeated state Senate President Jim Fribenzi for the Conservative senate nomination.

Authorities: 'miracle' no one killed in crane collapse

DUBE CITY, Armana--Authorities say it's a miracle that no one was killed or seriously injured after a crane collapsed at a building site today in southern Armana.

The 350-ft tall crane came crashing down early Monday morning, around 5:30 am eastern time. About 15 people were at the construction site when the collapse occurred, officials said, but all were inside the site's mobile office quarters, about 500 feet away from the crane.

Workers felt the ground shake as the crane fell on top of a cement foundation.

"It felt like a small earthquake, or a big explosion," one worker told reporters.

The building site lies in a vacant district west of Dube City's industrial district, and no neighboring buildings or parks were endangered.

A spokesman for the construction company, Harbour Freight, said the company is "relieved" no one was injured and will be conducting a thorough investigation.

"This could have been a real tragedy and we want to look into exactly what happened so we can avoid anything like this from happening in the future," spokesman Darren Smith said.

The Armana Department of Labor and Industries is also investigating the incident.

The site will remain closed until the investigation is complete.

Menuhaeo to embark on east Asia tour

MAVOCKE--President Brenton Menuhaeo will travel to Asia next month, on a tour to six countries, his office announced Thursday.

The president will make stops in Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

The focus of the trip will be economic relations, human rights, foreign affairs and the environment.

First Lady Carolla Menuhaeo will join her husband on the swing through east Asia, Collester Press Secretary Adam Kolbert confirmed.

Addelson: CNS has 'declared war on women'

MAVOCKE--Deschire Nationalist Sen. Jhinny Addelson lashed out at her Conservative colleagues Thursday, telling Mavocke radio host Jim Weatherby the CNS has "launched a major ideologically-based war on women" in regard to reproductive rights.

"What we're seeing from the other side is an extreme, out-dated ideology that states that government should be able to limit women's rights and tell them how to manage their bodies. The Conservative Party of Grassadellia has declared war on women in this country," Addelson said.

Addelson was answering a question from Weatherby about a proposed bill sponsored by Wellington Conservative Rep. Joe Wilsey, member for Claremonte-White Pines, that would outlaw late-term abortions outright after 20 weeks. The bill, which is still in committee, is seen only as a symbolic move, as it is unlikely to pass. Currently, there is no federal law banning late-term abortions, although most states have laws in place.

Addelson says the proposed bill, although unlikely to pass, is a threat to women's rights. She also addressed the battle over employer-issued insurance and birth control, as well as a recent effort in Monomi to prohibit public schools from handing out birth control to teenagers.

"Not only is the CNS out of touch with the sentiment of the electorate on this issue, but their policy on women's rights is clearly degrading and threatening public health. Women need to have access to clinics that offer these services. They need to have access to safe birth control. And anyone who wants to take that right away from [women] needs to get a bucket of cold water thrown in their face and wake up," Addelson chimed.

Wilsey's bill is still in the preliminary drafting stages, but already, many members have signed on.

Trinton Conservative Sen. Greg Baxter, who has not endorsed Wilsey's bill but has supported restrictions on abortion in the past, appeared on the GBC's Parlour Chat program Thursday and responded to Addelson's claims.

"This kind of rhetoric from the other side is what's making this argument so divisive and emotional," Baxter said. "There is no 'war on women,' as Miss Addelson claims. Obviously, some members are more opposed to abortion than others and want more restrictions in place than others. But what we can all agree on is that we want less abortions, and we don't want these decisions to be made lightly. We want them to be made deliberately and with discernment.

"And when it comes to the issue of birth control, we want to make sure that employers are not forced to violate their deeply-held religious convictions on this issue. That's where the CNS stands on this. The other side believes that religious liberties should be over-ridden, and I think that's a view most Grassadellians disagree with," Baxter added.

Rep. Wilsey's office had no comment, but ensured the assemblyman will have plenty to say at a press conference next week. Senate Majority Leader John Morandi's office also had no comment, however, a private NAT source hinted the party will continue to bring up the controversial topic as part of an election-year campaign offensive.

German launches long-shot bid for lieutenant governor

HARLYNE, Harvannah--A young Conservative pastor has announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor of Harvannah.

Dackery German, who goes by the shorter name "Dack," has announced he will challenge incumbent Nationalist Mia Xhi in the 2012 election.

German is a long-shot to beat the highly-favored Xhi, who easily defeated Conservative incumbent Robert Faller Jr. in the 2008 election. Xhi has rolled in campaign cash, and has high state-wide name recognition, both of which German, a political new-comer, lacks.

But in a video released on his campaign website, www.dackgerman.com, the 37-year-old minister says he wants to "transform the way elected officials interact with their constituents." He criticizes Xhi, saying she is too stand-offish and does not attentively listen to citizen complaints and concerns. "We need a lieutenant governor who is not apart of a political machine or a political agenda, but just genuinely wants to help the people they serve," German says in the video.

German works as a youth minister at Harbourview Church in southeast Harlyne. Before he can compete against Xhi, however, he will have to make it through the primary election, where he will face Clevey Springs Mayor Todd Kren, who announced his candidacy last month. Kren is viewed by many party insiders to be a more viable candidate.

German had been exploring running for office for months, but made his candidacy official yesterday, December 26. He will be temporarily stepping down from his position at Harbourview until the race is over.

The Kren and Xhi campaigns had no comment.

Boden won't decide until January

COREEGA, Harvannah--Wealthy businessman, attorney, and anti-tax activist Craig Boden will not decide until after the new year if he will run for governor, he told GBC radio today.

Boden, a Conservative, has been toying with joining the crowded field of CNS gubernatorial candidates. However, on Wednesday, he told Harvannah's GBC Local 1390 AM he won't make a decision until January.

Already in the race are state Attorney General Julia Giorchani, Harrisport Mayor George Garesby, H-Tel CEO Rich Tuller and Goldchrist businessman Tom Marelo.

Boden has criticized the current CNS field of candidates for not being conservative enough. The far-right of the Conservative party are attempting to draft him into running, sources say.

The primary election is slated for March 24, 2012.

Fulbright: concessions from state unions needed to save jobs

NEW SALEM, Armana--State unions must make concessions in order to save government jobs, Armana Gov. Dale Fulbright said Tuesday.

Fulbright and the state legislature are attempting to reach an agreement on how to climb out of a $763 million budget shortfall. Cuts have already been made, but the governor insists concessions from various state employees' unions are necessary to help avoid lay-offs.

"In lean times, we have two choices: either make concessions and share the burden collectively, or decline to make concessions and write out lay-off slips. I would really rather avoid the latter," he said at a Tuesday press conference.

Specifically, Fulbright is calling on the state teachers' union, the Armana Teachers Association (ATA), to make concessions on yearly pay increases and holiday reimbursement. The governor has also asked the Armana State General Employees' Union (ASGEU) to make concessions on holiday pay and retirement benefits.

"It's unfortunate, but we have to close this budget gap, and in order to do that, we need the unions to stop holding out and to sacrifice a little here and there," Fulbright said. "No one wants to make these concessions, but we've tried to make them as painless as we can given the situation, and we see the alternative of laying people off as not a good solution."

ATA President Brenda Siemen jumped on the governor's "sacrifice" comments, telling the Maine City Overseer that "teachers make huge sacrifices every day to supplement their classrooms and educate children."

"I don't think most people would consider cuts in pay and benefits for our hard-working teachers minor sacrifices like the governor does. I think he really stands alone on that," Siemen said.

Brett Stewart, who heads the ASGEU, told the GBC the governor is being dishonest, because cuts could be made in other areas instead of cutting pay and benefits for state workers.

"This is a classic strategy of this Conservative government: blame the unions for our budget problems. The fact is, if the governor would look harder at the budget, he could find other, less painful places to cut money without impacting the pay and retirement plans of state employees," Stewart said.

Grace Solomon, a spokeswoman for the governor's office, told the National Press Federation (NPF) that other parts of the budget are being impacted.

"We are seeing the budget impacted at many different levels. Agencies across the state are seeing their budgets slashed, less services being offered to the citizens, and that's because the governor is trying to make cuts in several different areas so we don't have just one area where we're feeling the pinch," Solomon said.

The budget showdown comes as Armana tries to fix its worst budget deficit in 12 years. The state's budget is better off than other states, but the 2011-2012 fiscal year has seen the first deficit since 2005.

Manning, DeBoor face off over economy

MAVOCKE--Two leading senators went head-to-head on a Sunday morning news program today, arguing their party is better prepared to address the economic challenges facing the country.

Stephanie Manning, a Nationalist from Lial, told Weekend Glance host Ed McCulvie the NAT party needs a majority in both houses of Congress before it can "lead the country out of an economic drought."

"The only way we can bring this country out of this economic dry spell is to elect an NAT majority in the Senate and the National Assembly," Manning said on the morning political news program.

She was rebutted by Remmington's freshman Conservative senator, Pete DeBoor, a former oil executive.

"Electing an NAT majority in Congress is the last thing this country needs," DeBoor said. "We already have a Nationalist president who doesn't know how to handle the economy. If we give him an NAT-controlled Senate and Assembly, we're just asking for more stimuluses and bail-outs and tax increases."

McCulvie pointed out that the bail-out and stimulus packages of 2009 were passed with Conservative support, including DeBoor's fellow Remmington senator, Curt Blaisek, who helped reach an agreement on the $315 billion stimulus.

"Well I like Curt, and I think he meant well when he voted for the stimulus. He was trying to reach a compromise and trying to reach across party lines to make an agreement that all sides could be happy with. But I disagree that spending money is going to get us out of this economic rut," DeBoor said, of the stimulus and bail-out.

DeBoor ridiculed a proposal from some Nationalists for a second stimulus, telling McCulvie the NAT's only strategy is tax-and-spend.

"That's all they've got. That's their only idea, to just keep taxing the people of this country and spending and hoping that if they spend enough money, they'll finally start earning some back. That is not a real solution."

Manning declined to support the proposal for a second stimulus, but did say the NAT will cut spending, something DeBoor laughed at.

"I'm very serious when I say that [Senate Majority Leader] John Morandi and [Assembly Minority Leader] Allison McGint and Brenton Menuhaeo are going to go through the budget and find areas where we can cut back. But what they will not do is make cuts to services and programs that are vital to working-class Grassadellians in exchange for tax breaks and pay-offs for the super rich. And they will not burden our children and seniors and low-income citizens while cutting deals with corporations and the big oil companies," Manning said, a clear slight at DeBoor.

DeBoor ended the segment by telling McCulvie that jobs, not rhetoric, is what the people want.

"The best thing you can do for the working class people of this country is to get them jobs again. No more broken promises, just a paycheck. That's what the people of this country want."

NAT eyes Ansleigha for pick-ups

KOEURN, Ansleigha--The Nationalist Party is hoping to win a majority in the Federal Assembly for the first time in more than a decade. And picking up Conservative-held seats in the state of Ansleigha is part of their strategy for reaching that goal.

Key NAT leaders are watching the state closely, and are hoping an anti-Conservative sentiment that's sweeping parts of the country will take deep root in a state that is already well-known for its battleground status.

Ansleigha has more registered Nationalist voters than Conservatives, but the CNS controls the governor's mansion and two of the state's four Senate seats. In addition, the lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general are all Conservatives.

Currently, four of the state's seven assemblymen are Conservatives. But that could change in 2012 if the NAT gets its way.

Their main target is freshman Rep. Michael Collins, who represents the battleground constituency of Hawkinson in the central part of the state. The district includes the northern and western parts of Danaecke, Ansleigha's fourth largest city, and goes west all the way to the Danver River, including Kollandon in the north-central part of the state, as well.

The state NAT is hoping to recruit Kollandon Mayor Jeff Felworth, who ran unsuccessfully against Collins in 2010, for a rematch, only this time, a nation-wide NAT wave could catapult Felworth into first place.

Fellow freshman Rep. McKendra Brown, who represents Gowlinson, which is home to Ansleigha's largest city, Koeurn, is also likely to face a tough race. The district is, overall, NAT-leaning. But the outer suburbs helped Brown defeat Koeurn City Councillor Chris Hayfield by a comfortable margin of 55% to 45% in the 2010 race.

This time around, NAT leaders are hoping to recruit a stronger candidate. And they're hoping Koeurn's liberal bent will outweigh any support the moderate Brown might have in the suburban areas.

Also in the NAT's cross-hairs: Reps. Nick Winsich of Bedland-Brinson in Ansleigha's east, and the outspoken Tara Burlingame, who represents Chadwick and the Donsides in the state's southwestern coal country.

Both won election relatively easily in 2010, but Winsich could face a more difficult opponent in 2012, and Burlingame is likely to face a rematch against Rawlingsworth businessman Roman LaPierre. And neither district is a Conservative lock-hold.

Nationalists will almost for sure keep the seat of Tidewell in the southern part of the state, where Rep. Jeff Symanthe cruised to victory in 2010. The liberal strong-hold of Churchtown makes it extremely difficult for the CNS to compete there. Rep. Chris Gilson, a freshman Nationalist who defeated incumbent Jeff Woonby (C), will also likely keep his seat, though a competitive CNS opponent could spring up.

The one bright spot for Conservatives will be the seat of Ambrose in northwestern Ansleigha, where veteran Assemblyman Pat Alosha is retiring. It's rumored former Rep. Jaime Scousenovy (N) may run for the seat, but Conservatives are banking on businessman Bill Haas making a second bid. Haas, a political newcomer, almost beat Alosha in the 2010 race. A Scousenovy-Haas match-up would be very close, but definitely attainable for the Conservatives.

One other thing in the Conservatives' favor: Governor Dale Lindstrom. While the national mood is souring on the Conservative party, Lindstrom remains popular, and will be on the ballot in 2012 for his first full term in office. His popularity will be a big boost to the party's endangered incumbents.