Wynmyer trails in Carova

CAROVA CITY, Carova--Once the beloved leader of Carova's Congressional delegation, Federal Sen. Julie Wynmyer, who made history back in 2006 after becoming Carova's first Democratic-Reformist senator since the 1930's, now finds herself trailing significantly in the polls just a few weeks before election day.

A new North Star/Carova Statesman poll shows former Sen. Dan Wainwright (C) leading with 39%, followed by environmentalist Becki Salmon (N) with 31%, and Wynmyer in third place with 30 percent, respectively.

The poll is mixed news for Wainwright, who is seeking to return to the Senate after being removed via the election lottery last year.

The poll shows he has the lead, but is just short of the necessary 40% threshold to secure a victory. Carova law requires a candidate to attain at least 40% of the popular vote in order to be elected. If no candidate secures 40% of the vote, then the top two candidates advance to a run-off election.

Nationalist candidate Becki Salmon is showing surprising strength in the polls, despite being overwhelmingly outspent by both the Wainwright and Wynmyer campaigns, and also having little support from her own party.

Because Wynymer agreed to caucus with Nationalists in the Senate, national NAT leaders such as Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (N-Lial) and chairman of the Nationalist Senate Campaign Organization (NSCO) Sen. John Yannes (N-Onakiah), have promised not to support Salmon's candidacy.

However, the environmental activist Salmon has still raised money and has support of state leaders, despite her candidacy not being sanctioned by the national party.

Wynmyer championed herself as an independent in the first few years of her term, often siding with Conservatives. But over the past two years, she has increasingly sided with Nationalists, and has angered conservatives who feel betrayed by her switching allegiance.

Likewise, many Nationalists are troubled with her more conservative votes.

Her bipartisanship may play well with independent voters, but it has angered both Conservatives and Nationalists who see her as too unreliable.

For now, the three-way campaign is focusing on the economy and taxes. Wainwright has positioned himself as a champion of tax cuts and economic growth, while Salmon has sought to center the campaign around the Conservative Party's tax benefits for wealthy individuals and corporations.

Salmon has also tried to bring the environment into the campaign, telling a crowd yesterday in her hometown of Bruce Junction that she is "the only candidate that will actually stand up for our environment and protect our lands from rogue logging and mining companies."

Wynmyer is seeking to draw on her biography for more votes. In a new ad that just started appearing this week, she talks straight into the camera about working as a teacher for 25 years. She also mentions her family's blue collar and bipartisan roots.

The CNS is hoping to pick up a gain in Carova, as the party seeks to re-take the Senate.

The best Wynmyer can hope for at this point is to finish in second place, and hold Wainwright below the 40% threshold. If she can manage that, she may have hope to upset the CNS candidate in what will be a long-shot run-off bid.

Hoffa campaigns for fellow Damoignites

GRASSADELLIA CITY--Damoign Gov. Sid Hoffa has been crisscrossing the state, campaigning feverishly for his Conservative colleagues running for office in the nation's most populous state.

Hoffa has already appeared at numerous campaign events for his lieutenant governor, Mercer Diego, whom he endorsed months ago.

Now he is campaigning for Federal Sen. Alyssa Jones, who is trailing in the polls against her NAT opponent, Assemblywoman Deborah Kay of Broadsword.

Hoffa is also campaigning for Democratic-Reformist Assemblywoman Jessica Blaine of Corma, who is running for Federal Senate against Debbie Madronas (N) and Independent Brian Altamont.

Blaine crossed party lines to endorse Hoffa back in 2008, when he was running for governor. Now Hoffa is returning the favor, although the state Conservative Party is also backing Blaine, rather than running a Conservative candidate and splitting the centre-right vote.

A recent Midway poll showed NAT Attorney General Rod Penora leading Diego 52% to 46%. That same Midway poll showed Jones trailing Kay 37% to 45%, with D-R candidate Marjorie Hinds picking up 10% and Independent Joe Schwartz taking 8 percent.

And now a new Strategic Surveys poll shows Blaine on top in the other Federal Senate race, leading Madronas by a margin of 42% to 41%, with Altamont pollling at 14% and Libertarian candidate Scott Lytle garnering about 3 percent.

Hoffa has worked tirelessly to support Diego, whose strong Evangelical Christian background as a mega-church pastor hinders him in a heavily Nationalist state.

Jones is also an Evangelical, and the wife of another prominent mega-church pastor, Darren Jones. Her voting record has been centrist on economic issues, but conservative on social issues.

Hoffa has gone on a television blitz, appearing on various cable news and political programs, touting Diego's bipartisanship and his leadership on key issues such as transportation, commerce, and emergency preparedness.

The current governor and former Grassadellia City mayor has also touted Jones, praising her bipartisanship, and warning of her opponent Deborah Kay's "extreme partisan" views.

"I don't endorse someone unless I strongly believe they are the better choice," Hoffa told The Grassadellia City Times. "Mercer Diego is the more diplomatic, even-handed, better-tempered choice. He's also prepared and a natural leader. He's inclusive, he's open-minded, he's a team-player. Rod Penora is none of those things."

"And I am also endorsing Alyssa Jones, because she has a proven track record of working with the other side. She has taken the initiative to reach across the aisle and stand up for Damoign. She has stood up for our state when the rest of Congress wanted to cut funding. She stood up for us when the federal government tried to take away our fair share. And we need someone like that in Mavocke. What we don't need is another hyper-partisan, extreme, Nationalist machine politician like Deborah Kay. That's just going to get us more of the same gridlock that we have right now."

As for Blaine, her centrist voting record plays well in the state, especially since her two opponents are outspoken and highly opinionated. Hoffa praised Blaine's courage for bucking her own party and siding with Conservatives on anti-terrorism and national security legislation. He also called her a "bridge-builder."

"Jessica Blaine will work with the other parties. She has repeatedly, over and over again, gone against her own party and voted not for what was politically convenient, but for what was right. She is a principled young lady, and she will make a fine senator."

Nationalists dismissed Hoffa's heavy involvement in the 2012 campaign, calling him "irrelevant."

"When voters go to the polls in a few weeks, they will not make their decision based on which far-right politician Sid Hoffa is supporting," Scott Chamblis, Deputy Chair of the Damoign Nationalist Party told the NPF. "They will make their vote based on who is right for Damoign."

Menuhaeo caught on open mic insulting Obama, Romney

VICKSBURG, Damoign--Collester is playing damage control today after President Brenton Menuhaeo made insulting comments about US President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, while unknowingly on a live microphone.

Menuhaeo was in Vicksburg for a speech to a group of veterans. Before the event started, he was sitting on stage with David McWilder, head of the Grassadellian Veterans' Association (GVA).

The two men believed they were talking privately, but unbeknownst to them, a microphone near them was turned on, and their conversation was heard by some members of the audience, including several journalists who were sitting near a speaker, and who recorded part of the conversation.

According to an audio recording, McWilder and Menuhaeo are heard discussing American politics.

"What do you think will happen over in America?" McWilder asks the president. "Do you think Obama's done?"

Menuhaeo responds, "I don't know what's going to happen, but [it] doesn't matter. Obama doesn't know what the hell he's doing. He's in over his head. He doesn't deserve to be re-elected."

"All he has is his rock-star image," McWilder is heard saying.

And about Obama's Republican challenger, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Menuhaeo had even less polite things to say.

"I don't know how in the hell the Republicans could have chose Mitt Romney to be their candidate. He is the biggest pile of horse shit to come out of the that country. I'd say he's almost as bad as Bush. If he gets elected the middle east will erupt."

"Agreed. He's just a bag of wind," McWilder says.

Around that point in the conversation, an aide to the president rushed over to the two men and alerted them to the live microphone. They abruptly ended their conversation, and the president went on to give a 20-minute speech about veterans' care and benefits.

But the inflammatory remarks were publicized almost immediately. The story was first broke by the political website Toxic Roaches. The story was then picked up by other political sites and finally, mainstream media outlets like the Mavocke Capitol and GBC News.

And almost immediately, Collester was forced to respond.

"President Menuhaeo was heard having a private conversation with Mr. McWilder, and in the course of that conversation, he made some unfortunate remarks about Barack Obama and Mitt Romney," Collester Press Secretary Michael Heines told an anxious press corps.

Heines told the media that Menuhaeo had already contacted both Obama and Romney via phone and apologized.

"The president's unfortunate words do not accurately represent his true feelings of admiration and respect for Barack Obama," Heines said. "While President Menuhaeo does not know Mr. Romney as well as Mr. Obama, he does have respect for other world leaders and political figures, and he has acknowledged that his words were inappropriate and nonconstructive."

Senate Majority Leader Jay Burns (C-Deschire) said at a press conference he was "appalled" by Menuhaeo's comments, and added that the president's remarks made him "embarrassed to be a Grassadellian."

"Nothing brings more dishonor and alienation to our country than the president of Grassadellia being heard saying disrespectful things about foreign leaders. I want our American friends to know that Brenton Menuhaeo does not speak for Grassadellians. We admire our friends and respect them for their leadership on the world stage," Burns said.

A spokesman for McWilder said the director of the GVA "sincerely regretted" his remarks, and had also phoned Washington to apologize.

The US Embassy in Mavocke declined to comment on the matter.

Kinsley: Winning gubernatorial election was 'long-shot'

TREETON, Monomi--The chances of winning the 2010 Monomi gubernatorial election were "exceedingly slim," former embattled Gov. Erica Kinsley (N) said over the weekend.

Kinsley, who inherited the governorship after Scott King Jr. was recalled in early 2010, spoke in-depth for the first time about her rocky tenure and her stunning defeat in the 2010 primary election against Nationalist businessman Dave Jandon.

In an interview with the Treeton Sun, the former governor, who was toppled in the NAT primary by Jandon, said the likelihood of winning the primary and general elections was a "long-shot."

"It would've been a long-shot to win the primary against Dave Jandon, and then to go on to win the general election against a momentous Conservative candidate, I think that would've been even more of a long-shot," Kinsley said.

However, Kinsley told the Sun she would have been a stronger candidate than Jandon.

"I probably still would have lost to John Densy, but I wouldn't have lost 65 percent to 35 percent like Dave Jandon did. It would have been a much closer race if I were going up head-to-head against John Densy."

Kinsley also addressed the very public unraveling of her relationship with her former boss, the ousted-Scott King.

"It was very painful, really, all the way around. I did not want to disavow Scott King. I did not want to come out against him and disassociate myself with him. He was my boss, he was my partner, he was my friend. And I admired him and his service to the state of Monomi," said Kinsley.

"But, I had to, politically, I had no choice. When a public official is facing such overwhelming and serious allegations of ethics violations and breaches of the law, you can't stand behind someone in that situation. You have to make a public relations call and an ethical decision to not back someone in that position."

Kinsley's relationship with King has softened, somewhat, over the past two years. The two are now on speaking terms and are civil with one another, though they are not as close as they once were.

"After the election was over, Scott and I met, and we talked. I told him how I felt I had no option but to call for his resignation and ask for him to step down. I also told him I thought it was hurtful that he backed my opponent in the primary race. But, we both admitted that there were some hurt feelings and some unmitigated emotions that needed to be addressed. And we got it out in the open and out on the table and talked about it. And that brought a lot of closure," she said.

Ultimately, the allegations of prostitution and corruption against Scott King were dismissed, and state and federal officials declined to indict the governor due to a lack of evidence.

King survived an unsuccessful impeachment attempt from the state Senate, but was recalled by the voters in a special election, an action Kinsley supported at the time.

She remains adamant that she does not regret calling for King's resignation, but she does regret supporting the recall election that took him out of office.

"I really do wish I would not have jumped on that band wagon. I did so because I thought it would bring closure to the issue and end the scandal. It did end the scandal, but it prolonged it and made it drawn out. It would have been better for the state, in hindsight, and would have saved a lot of money, if we would have just left Scott King in office for the remainder of his term," she said.

She has no regrets about her campaign for re-election, however, and she is looking to the future in her personal and professional life.

"I don't have any regrets about my time as governor. I feel that I did a good job governing. And my campaign was well-conducted. But I am looking forward. I want to better my relationship with Scott King and the other leaders that I may have alienated during that time. And I want to move forward in my own career, on to other opportunities."

When asked if those "other opportunities" included a future run for office, Kinsley declined to say.

"I'm happy where I'm at right now."

Jones in trouble in Damoign

GRASSADELLIA CITY--The chances of Conservative Sen. Alyssa Jones returning to the Senate for a second term are looking increasingly slim.

A newly-released poll shows the incumbent freshman senator trailing Nationalist Debora Kay by eight points.

The Midway poll showed Kay leading Jones 45% to 37%, with Democratic-Reformist Marjorie Hinds trailing with 10%, and Independent candidate Joe Schwartz with eight percent, respectively.

It's grim news for Jones, who has been trying to position herself as a moderate and a champion of the economy and strong families amid a strong year for the NAT.

Jones has been praised by the media and watch-dog groups for her bipartisanship. And she has brought millions of federal tax dollars back to Damoign in infrastructure and other investment projects.

But many have criticized her for, what they call, her "ultra-conservative" views on social issues.

Jones is an Evangelical Christian, and the wife of prominent mega-church pastor Darren Jones, who serves as senior pastor of the 7,000-member Church of the Falls in Grassadellia City.

Jones' conservative social positions have placed her in the cross-hairs of liberals, who say her views are out of alignment with the views of Damoignites. They point to Damoign's liberal bent as evidence her views are incompatible with those of her constituents.

That, combined with the national anti-Conservative wave that is sweeping the nation, has allowed Nationalist Assemblywoman Deborah Kay of Broadsword in north-central Damoign, to ascend to a healthy lead over the incumbent.

In particular, Kay has focused on rallying labor groups and women's rights advocates, and the assemblywoman has attempted to tie Jones to other controversial Conservatives, and paint her as "backwards" on women's issues.

"Alyssa Jones, unfortunately, has turned into a puppet of the Conservative party, and has adopted their backwards views on women's issues and reproductive rights," Kay said in an interview with The Grassadellia City Times.

Jones has refuted those claims, saying in an interview with the STAR network that she has always been pro-women.

"My opponent is distorting my record. She's trying to make me out to be a backwards know-nothing who just follows party leaders blindly and has adopted nineteenth-century views on women's rights," she said. "That's just not true."

"I am happy to say that I am pro-life. I don't shy away from that," the senator told the Mavocke Capitol. "And I'm one that believes you can be pro-life and also pro-women. Those two are not mutually exclusive, despite what Deborah Kay may say."

Together, the campaigns of both women have raised more than $20 million. And neither has spent very much targeting the other two minor party candidates, DR Marjorie Hinds and Independent Joe Schwartz, although the polls show both garnering nearly 20% of the vote combined.

Damoign is the only state in which a candidate does not have to win a minimum percentage of the vote. The candidate that wins the most votes, regardless of how small a percentage of the total vote or how big the field of candidates, becomes the winner.

Both the Nationalist Senate Campaign Organization (NSCO) and the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee (CSCC) have committed to pouring more money into the race, though neither group would divulge just how much they intend to expend.

And the first debate in the Senate race will feature both Jones and Kay, and will be held Monday, October 22, in Sathby in north-central Damoign.

Candidates tout newspaper endorsements

CLEVEY SPRINGS, Harvannah--Both major candidates in Harvannah's governor's race are touting their numerous newspaper endorsements in the final weeks of the campaign.

The state's largest newspaper by circulation, the Harlyne Sun, endorsed incumbent Gov. Mark Andres (N), while Harvannah's second-largest paper, The Ashford Current, is backing native son George Garesby (C), mayor of Harrisport.

Below are the various newspapers that have made endorsements:

Conservatives concerned about Boden

HARLYNE, Harvannah--With a race as close as Harvannah's governor's race, every single vote counts.

That's why Conservatives are concerned about Craig Boden, the wealthy businessman, attorney and anti-tax activist who is running for governor as the Constitution Party's nominee.

Two recent polls showed Boden garnering about five percent of the vote, his best showing yet in statewide polls.

The more recent poll, released earlier this week by the Harlyne Sun, showed Garesby leading Andres 48% to 47%, with Boden receiving just over 5%. That's within the margin of error for Garesby and Andres.

The poll also found Boden with about a quarter of the vote in his native Enore County in eastern Harvannah, as well as about 15% support in strongly conservative Le Courdier County.

Five percent of the vote translates out to roughly 45,000 votes, if the Secretary of State's predictions hold true.

But with Nationalist incumbent Mark Andres and Conservative challenger George Garesby in a dead heat race, even just a few hundred votes could make the difference in determining the next governor. And Conservatives fear Boden will siphon too many votes away from Garesby.

So Conservatives are going on the offensive against Boden, spending about $50,000 on anti-Boden campaign literature and mailings.

Boden had previously ran as a Conservative, but dropped his affiliation with the CNS before the March primary. He then accepted the Constitution Party's nomination, after criticizing the other Conservative candidates for not being conservative enough on taxes.

Over the past several months, Boden has continued to hammer Conservative nominee George Garesby for not being opposed enough to taxes, and for refusing to sign a no-tax-increase pledge.

The Garesby campaign has downplayed Boden's significance, dismissing him as a minor-party candidate, and pointing out that those same two polls that showed Boden garnering about five percent of the vote also found Garesby leading Mark Andres by one or two points.

"George Garesby will win this election, regardless of Craig Boden's presence on the ballot," Garesby campaign manager Kelly Lineholtz told the Ashford Current.

Conservatives attempted to keep Boden out of the general election, but Secretary of State Jennifer Giorchani ruled he was eligible to appear on the ballot, a move that angered many of her fellow Conservatives.

The Andres campaign, meanwhile, has quietly tried to boost Boden, something Andres campaign manager Jim Waixel openly acknowledged.

"This can only be bad news for George Garesby, and we will do what we can to exploit that."

The Garesby campaign is reportedly considering filing a complaint with the Secretary of State's office over the matter.

POG pastor says gays should be 'eradicated'

FORT BASHEAR, POG--Outrage is brewing across the nation after a POG pastor denounced homosexuality and called for gays to be "eradicated" in a Sunday sermon.

The Brockhaven Post-Gazette reports that Rev. Marvin Garlo, senior pastor at Madison Creek Baptist Church in Charmingdale, was recorded calling gays and lesbians "perverts" and "deviants."

A parishioner videotaped part of the sermon on a cell phone.

During the nearly five-minute episode, Garlo declared the gay rights movement a "bold-faced lie" and "a work of evil orchestrated by Satan himself."

His most inflammatory remark came, however, when he said, "There is no place in society for gays and queers."

"These people have no place in our society. They have no place in our schools and hospitals and our courthouses. They need to be eradicated from our society. And we need to eradicate this idea that it is acceptable to be a homosexual," Garlo says on the videotape.

Parishioners can be heard applauding and yelling "Amen" in the video.

But at least a few congregants were uncomfortable with the pastor's message. One member of the conservative Baptist church turned the video over to a local news station.

Immediately after the story became public, gay rights groups began a vigorous assault on the pastor and the church.

"Any pastor or priest that says that other people are worth less or are somehow less valuable and deserve to eliminated from society, is not teaching Christian love. They are teaching hatred and bigotry," Van Nanbrook, head of OutPOG, told the GBC.

The Province of Grassadellia Human Rights Commission, the province's largest gay rights group, also assailed Garlo and his teachings.

"What type of church allows someone like this to stand at the pulpit? To represent them to the community and to serve as their guide and their shepherd? This is not what we want in our community. We do not want intolerant people encouraging violence and hatred toward others just because they are different," Jack Fields, chair of the commission told the National Press Federation.

Garlo has yet to speak publicly about the matter, declining comment when reporters went to his Madison Creek home.

But the church did put out a statement, which was posted on the doors of the church and on the church's Facebook page.

In the statement, the church said it does not back away from the Biblical definition of marriage and strongly opposes homosexual relationships. But the statement said the church's leadership does not condone "eliminating or projecting hatred toward any member of society for any reason."

The POG Human Rights Commission says it will file a complaint with the Federal Taxation and Revenue Authority (FTRA), seeking to revoke the tax-exempt status of the church because it preaches hate. 

Economy dominates in first Van Auhn-Davidson debate

LANAKIS--Veroche Governor Linda Van Auhn (N) spent much of the evening defending her record, as a somewhat mellowed Lt. Governor Brad Davidson (C) took issue with her policies in the first of three debates between the two candidates.

The economy dominated Thursday night's debate, which was held in north Lanakis and sponsored by are television stations and newspapers.

During the 90-minute debate, Davidson attacked Van Auhn for a 10% unemployment rate, a more than $9 billion budget deficit, and high taxes.

"Veroche has some of the highest business taxes in the nation," Davidson said. "And with 10% of our state's residents out of work, we need to be encouraging business growth and new jobs. Not taxing people out of their businesses."

Van Auhn defended her record, acknowledging the troubling high unemployment rate, but blaming the economy on the recession.

"No one's disputing that we are in a tough situation," she said. "Too many Verocheans are out of work. And our economy is still struggling. But we suffered the worst economic recession since the 1930's. It is going to take a while to dig out of this hole that we got into, that began forming years before I took office," she said.

Van Auhn also pointed to improvements in the economy.

"We have seen job growth tick up in the past few months. We had the lowest number of unemployment claims last month in the past year and a half. We are seeing the national economy improve, and that will make its way here to Veroche in time. The economy is on the upswing, but it's going to take time, not political rhetoric," Van Auhn said.

"No governor, it's going to take action, not empty promises," Davidson snapped back.

Davidson emphasized that the best way to stimulate job growth is by lowering taxes.

Van Auhn argued that she has lowered taxes on some small businesses, but refused to do so on large corporations.

"We're not going to climb out of a recession by giving tax breaks to the wealthy corporations. They're doing just fine right now."

On the deficit, Davidson called for cuts without raising taxes, while Van Auhn said some cuts could be made but others would be devastating.

"The budget that you're proposing is going to cut critical funding to programs that are vital to our state," Van Auhn said, pointing to the lieutenant governor. "Under his budget, things like emergency response, education, healthcare assistance, those programs will take the brunt of these cuts."

Davidson responded, calling Van Auhn's assertions "refutably false."

"I have never proposed cutting emergency response and critical services. We will not cut those programs or undermine them if I'm governor. But we will cut back on overly-generous retirement plans for state workers. There's no reason for our state workers to be seeing huge benefits and increases in pay while the rest of the state is struggling," Davidson said.

He added that he would go after fraud in the state's healthcare assistance programs, and he would trim education programs that are not working.

"Governor Van Auhn wants you to think I will gut important programs and public safety and education. But that's just not true. It's a shameless scare tactic."

Both candidates agreed more focus needs to be put on solving traffic congestion in the greater Lanakis-Verdonnen--Kanassett area. And both agreed that charter schools should be available for parents who feel their children are not getting an adequate education in the public school system, though they disagreed on how to regulate them.

While side issues came up, the economy clearly was the dominant topic in the discussion, and both candidates ended their closing statements vowing to improve the economy.

"This election is about jobs. And getting ourselves out of the fiscal hole that we're in. We can't get out of the hole when Linda Van Auhn refuses to put down the shovel and stop digging," Davidson said.

"Attacks and cleverly-crafted sound bites aren't going to fix this economy," said Van Auhn." We're only going to fix things by coming together, and uniting. Not through the divisive politics of my opponent."

Danbury to campaign with vulnerable Glow

MAINE CITY, Armana--Vulnerable Sen. Dana Glow (CNS) is getting help in his bid for re-election from a fellow Conservative Armanan.

Sen. Chuck Danbury, the senior senator from Armana and one of the most senior members in the Senate, will be campaigning with Glow at several campaign stops over the coming weeks.

Glow, who is in his first term, is in a tight race for re-election against Rep. Serap Figaori, a Nationalist who represents the electorate of Whitbred in northern Armana.

Amid struggling poll numbers, Glow has enlisted Danbury to campaign at events in Mavocke, Westernmyer, New Salem, Maine City, Port Victoria and Hablannas Shores.

Danbury has already gone on cable TV news programs, going to bat for the junior senator, whose seat is being heavily targeted by Nationalists, despite the incumbent's moderate voting record.

Despite the fact that Armana is more conservative than ever before, the state still leans to the NAT.

The 2010 elections saw a historic moment for Conservatives in the state, however, as it marked the first time the state simultaneously had a CNS governor and all Conservative, albeit moderate senators, in office.

Figaroi, who was elected to the Assembly in 2008, is hoping to ride a national wave of anti-CNS sentiment and knock off Glow. But Conservatives hope Glow's moderate record and his bipartisan nature will help secure him a second term.

A spokesman from Danbury's office, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak to the media, said that Danbury privately sees Glow as the most valuable member of the state's Senate delegation, and that the senior senator will work vigorously to ensure Glow is re-elected.

Danbury's office later released a written statement, denying that the senator values Glow over fellow Conservative Sens. Robert Maclan and Joel Zuckermann.

"I value, equally, all members of Armana's Congressional delegation, and I will work with anyone who supports the right agenda," the statement read.

Other high-profile Conservative senators will also campaign on Glow's behalf.

Ansleigha Sen. Jon Ralston, who heads up the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee (CSCC); the moderate Dick Ammons of Harvannah, John BiGadi of Lial, John Agnew of Wilkonshire, and Conservative-turned-Independent Niles Gilcrest of Veroche. 

12 Senate races to watch

MAVOCKE--Out of the 31 Senate seats up for grabs this election cycle, over a third of them are considered highly competitive.

The unusual number of close contests is due in part to special elections, as several states are seeking to fill vacant seats.

Another reason for the high number of closely-matched races is the former senators who lost their seats due to the election lottery.

The lottery was used to reduce the number of senators from each state from five to four, because the Constitution states there can be no more than 100 senators in the chamber at any given point.

Many members who lost their seats because of the reduction lottery are seeking to reclaim them, pitting them against other incumbents in heated match-ups.

GNN's election team compiled this year's top 12 Senate races to watch. The races are shown by state in alphabetical order, and are not ranked in importance.

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Ansleigha -- Incumbent Jan Vanderhoogen (N) vs. former Sen. Luke Gymbal (C).

Vanderhoogen previously served as Deputy Treasury Secretary under President Menuhaeo. Both candidates were elected to the Senate in 2010, but Gymbal was eliminated in the election lottery of 2011. Vanderhoogen, who hails from Churchtown in the state's southeast, has a liberal voting record and has been involved in progressive politics for decades. Gymbal is the brother of former Lial Gov. Gavin Gymbal, and formerly represented the electorate of Clive in the National Assembly. The electorate encompasses the southeastern corner of the state, along the Armana and New Portsmouth borders. Vanderhoogen is counting on the anti-CNS national mood working in his favor, while Gymbal is hoping Vanderhoogen's connection to the economic stimulus and bail outs will help him.


Armana -- Incumbent Dana Glow (C) vs. Assemblyman Serap Figaori (N-Whitbred).

Glow, elected in 2006, has been at the forefront of economic recovery efforts. He was chair of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, and led the bipartisan "Group of Six" senators, who negotiated a deal on the economic stimulus and bail outs. But Glow's close connection to the Conservative party's economic policies is his biggest liability in this election, as he faces a strong challenge from Rep. Figaori, who represents a liberal seat in northern Armana. Figaori is hoping to ride a nation-wide anti-CNS wave, while Glow is hoping his bipartisan record and his attempt at a moderate voting record will work in his favor. Figaori has effectively cast Glow as a typical Conservative who favors the wealthy and corporations. Glow has sought to portray Figaori as inexperienced and a reckless tax-and-spend liberal. Both candidates have raised over $9 million, and outside groups are pouring in funds.


East Deschire -- Incumbent Nancy Lindselli (C) vs. Secretary of State Allison Sweeten (N)

Sweeten is making her second attempt at the Senate, after failing to win an open seat in 2010 against Conservative Mike Aventhalle. Lindselli is beloved by Conservatives for her staunch conservative values, but loathed by Nationalists, who see her as hyper-partisan and uncompromising. The state's agriculture industry is firmly behind Lindselli, however. Sweeten has broad appeal in the state's largest city, Hansboro, and other cities like Christenkerr, Bridgeworth, and Dillingham. But Lindselli has strong poll numbers in the state's second-largest city, Ridgeview, and in the state's capital, Derosa, as well as the vast rural areas of the state. Sweeten has sought to portray Lindselli as out of touch, and walking in lock-step with the Conservative party, while Lindselli has painted Sweeten as a far-left, ultra-liberal tax enthusiast.


Marchenay -- Incumbent Dana Stokahn (C) vs. Rep. Bernie Voldrew (N-Madagen-Northshire)

Stokahn was just elected in 2010 in a special election. She narrowly defeated wealthy businessman-turned-Assemblyman Voldrew in that contest. Stokahn, a former secretary of state, is the most conservative of Marchenay's four senators. Voldrew is among the state's most liberal members of Congress, and his vast personal fortune could be a huge asset for him in this hyper-partisan race. Stokahn is counting on gun-rights groups and other conservative organizations to help bolster her campaign, which is being outspent 2-1 by Voldrew.


Onakiah -- Rep. Reuben Stykes (C-Kyena) vs. Rep. Deacon Busby (N-Kilney)

This special election will feature two popular members of assembly. Stykes, who represents northern Onakiah, has made previous runs for Senate in the past, but has maintained support for another bid. Busby, who represents the southern part of the state, has also previously ran unsuccessfully, and is hoping the national mood will help swing the race to him. Stykes has broad support from his party and national leaders, and has the financial edge. Both young men will likely raise and spend millions by the time the race is complete.


Onakiah -- Rep. Mark Rolen (C-Partavia) vs. Rep. Ernie O'Larra (N-Moorburn)

Another special election that features two assemblymen going head-to-head. Rolen, the former Assembly Majority Leader, is hoping to finally break into the Senate, after two unsuccessful bids in the past. O'Larra, who is in his first term in the Assembly, is hoping to ride the national NAT wave that is sweeping the country. O'Larra has attacked Rolen for his connection with Conservative party leadership, while Rolen has criticized O'Larra for his "ultra-liberal" voting record. Both parties will likely invest heavy money in this race.


Prov. of Grassadellia -- Rep. Julie Dennings (C-Dynsmore Hills) vs. former Lt. Gov. George Mercott (N)

Dennings, who has made two attempts at the Senate in the past, is seeking to finally win against Mercott, a moderate Nationalist who also previously ran for the Senate in the last cycle, narrowly losing in the primary to Rep. Jill Yateri. Dennings is a hero of Conservatives, and is backed by the party establishment. Mercott also has broad appeal among his party as well as independents. Mercott also has strong name recognition and family ties to the state that could help him pull out a victory.


Roddenclanshire -- Incumbent Anita Ugorachin (N) vs. Frank Traetori (C)

Ugorachin is vying for her first full term. She has a strongly liberal voting record, and has faced criticism from Traetori and Conservatives for voting for tax increases. Ugorachin has wide appeal among minority and low-income voters, while Traetori has strong support from business groups. Roddenclanshire's liberal tilt will work in Ugorachin's favor, but Traetori has proven to be an effective fundraiser and campaigner, and could make the race interesting.


South Ceona -- Incumbent Craig Svenson (C) vs. Rep. Alan Thorston (N-Reierson)

Svenson is shooting for his first full term, and will face Gallaghan-area Assemblyman Thorston in a competitive race. South Ceona trends Conservative, but the national NAT wave could play into Thorston's favor. If Thorston gets a high turnout in the eastern side of the state, he may be buoyed as well. Thorston has sought to define Svenson as an out-of-touch, friend-of-the-wealthy Conservative. Svenson has countered by identifying Thorston as an out-of-touch east coast elitist who doesn't represent South Ceonan values. Svenson has the edge, but with more than a month to go before election day, this race could be close.


Trinton -- Incumbent Bruce Kellney (N) vs. Randy Kalamaza (C), Guy Pieronne (IND) and Paul Whitton (LD)

A rare four-way race, incumbent Kellney faces former Senate candidate Kalamaza, a staunch fiscal conservative, Liberal Democrat and former Senate candidate Paul Whitton, and political newcomer, Independent Guy Pieronne. Kellney has the edge in money and momentum. But with Whitton on the ballot, it's possible the two left-leaning candidates could split the liberal vote, handing a victory to Kalamaza or forcing a run-off election if no candidate receives 40%. Pieronne is likely to win few votes, but may siphon enough to force a run-off.


Wellington -- Incumbent Chris DeCarro (N) vs. Rep. Joe Wilsey (C-Claremonte-White Pines)

DeCarro is seeking his first full term. The young Nationalist has struck a surprisingly liberal voting record since 2008, when he narrowly defeated Wilsey in a special election. This time around, DeCarro is on the defensive. Even as the rest of the nation trends NAT, Wellington may very well swing to the Conservatives. Wilsey has become a hero to Conservatives, especially the socially conservative element of the party, and he has led high-profile pieces of legislation in recent years. DeCarro has a liberal record to defend and unlike 2008, he will not be able to ride the coattails of popular Gov. Pierre Carten (N).


Wellington -- Incumbent Nadan Saralo (N) vs. Rep. Sharon Dackadett (C-Okookawa)

Saralo, the Senate's second-highest-ranking Nationalist, finds himself facing potentially hostile territory back home on the prairie. As Assistant Majority Leader, Saralo has now entrenched himself in the NAT party leadership, and his connection with the more liberal agenda the party has pursued has not sat well with constituents back home. Dackadett, who previously lost to Saralo in 2008 by a 55%-45% margin, is hoping to build on anti-incumbent sentiment and reverse her fate. Dackadett has also attempted to tie herself to fellow Conservative Joe Wilsey, who is more popular and well-known. And Conservatives would love nothing more than to knock off a member of the Nationalist party's leadership.

Tight race for S. Ceona governor

FAIRFIELD, South Ceona--The race for governor in South Ceona's special election may be among the closest races in this election cycle, according to a new poll released today.

The Opinion Point poll, which was conducted over the weekend, found both Conservative candidate Greg Laskie and Nationalist candidate Scott Bannich receiving 45% each, with 10% undecided.

Another poll conducted for the Fairfield Integrus newspaper and the South Ceona Press Association showed Laskie with a one-point lead, leading Bannich 47% to 46%, respectively.

Laskie, an Assemblyman who represents the electorate of Fairfield-Charmore, and Bannich, a dentist from east Fairfield, are vying for the newly-formed state's first governorship.

Whomever prevails in this special election will only serve a two-year term.

Voters won't choose a governor for a four-year term until 2014.

Laskie was long seen as the favorite in the race, and held a nine-point lead over Bannich back in January.

But since then, Bannich has successfully cast himself as a moderate, conservative Nationalist, with a focus on poverty in the urban areas of the state, and a focus on property rights in the vast rural stretches of South Ceona.

Laskie has been a champion of conservative causes in the National Assembly, and has vowed to bring his conservative views to the governorship.

He has faced criticism from Bannich and other Nationalists, however, for only agreeing to three debates: one in Fairfield, the state's largest metropolitan area; one in Gallaghan, which is the county seat of Hinterwin County, the state's most populous; and one on the east side of the state in Necadia, the state's second-largest metropolitan area.

Bannich had previously called for nine debates in various cities throughout the state.

Both candidates' running mates will debate twice. Laskie's running mate for lieutenant governor, Jane Karsten, will face off against Bannich's running mate, Mike Kriewer (pronounced "crew-er").

Karsten and Kriewer will debate in Hanlai in the north-central part of the state, and will also face off in Mastwin, in the south-central region.

The Conservative Governors' Association (CGA) has kicked in about $1 million on Laskie's behalf, while the Nationalist Governors' Association (NATGA) has spent about $832,000 to help Bannich.

Those numbers are likely to increase in the final weeks of the campaign, as polls increasingly show a tight contest.

Hoffa: Diego is qualified to be governor

MATTINOW, Damoign--Conservative Governor Sid Hoffa pushed back at critics of his deputy, Mercer Diego (C), who claim the lieutenant governor is not adequately qualified for the state's top executive job.

Last week, Damoign Attorney General Rod Penora, who is the NAT's nominee for governor, accused Diego of being "the least-qualified candidate for governor in Damoign history."

In an interview with the Central Coast Post on Thursday, Penora highlighted the only political office Diego has ever held--the lieutenant governorship.

"He's only been lieutenant governor for not even four years. He's never served in the state legislature. He's never been a mayor, a city councilman, he's never been a CEO or a business leader or a statesman. He has no experience, besides serving as Sid Hoffa's pet for the last three plus years," Penora said.

The Nationalist Governors' Association (NATGA) also released a 30-second TV ad that depicts Diego as a radical religious conservative whose only claim to fame is being a mega-church pastor and lieutenant governor.

But Sid Hoffa defended Diego in an appearance on the GBC's Sunday Tea, telling host John Hockney that Diego is "more than prepared" to be governor.

"I've worked with Mercer for the past almost four years. I've known him for years. And let me tell you, he is a great man. He is a family man. He is dedicated to his family, to his church, to his state, to protecting our most vulnerable people, to fixing the economy and getting jobs back here in Damoign, to defending our state against terrorism and getting crime off our streets. Mercer Diego is prepared, he's tested, and he has the courage for the job," Hoffa said.

Hoffa, who also chairs the Conservative Governors' Association (CGA), acknowledged that Diego has little political experience. But he emphatically denied that Diego is unprepared.

"He doesn't have a lot of political experience, I'll give you that, John. He doesn't have an extensive legislative record or a deep political history like other candidates. But I think that's a good thing. It shows that he's a real person. He's not a bureaucrat like Rod Penora, who has been stuck in the politics of Mattinow for his entire career."

"You know, Rod Penora has been a politician his entire adult life. He's been involved in Nationalist machine politics for about twenty five years. You know how long Mercer Diego has been a politician? For less than four years. He's done other things with his life. He is an economist by trade, he has worked in business, and then he felt the call to be a pastor, and he has served in charity positions and church positions throughout much of his career. And I think we could use someone with that background right now in our current political climate, don't you?" Hoffa said.

Diego is facing off against Penora in what is expected to be one of the most closely-watched gubernatorial races in the country.

Together, the two have raised more than $23 million, although Penora has raised about $4 million more than Diego.

Penora, who is known for his bare-knuckled-style politics, is heavily favored in the inner-city areas of Grassadellia City and further downstate in Vicksburg and Crowderville.

Diego has the edge in the suburbs of the Merryton Valley, as well as in more traditionally conservative areas like the state's capital city, Mattinow, and West Lake and Olean in the state's western reaches.

Both men will also appear on the ballot with Libertarian candidate Craig Robinson, who is polling around two to three percent in most recent polls.

Kalnier Lt. Gov. compares Conservatives to Nazis

APPENBAUM, Kalnier--Conservative lawmakers are like Nazis, Kalnier Lt. Gov. Paul Myrick (N) told reporters Monday afternoon.

Myrick made the controversial comparison in an afternoon press conference, when he was venting his frustration at Conservative members of the state legislature for obstructing a gun control bill he and fellow Nationalists support.

"[Conservatives] are like Nazis. They have their own propaganda they put out. They have a ruthless attitude toward members of other parties, and they have a radical, oppressive agenda that they want to advance at an enormous cost to those around them," Myrick said.

Conservative Senate Minority Leader Dale Reichen immediately condemned Myrick's comments, calling them "heinous" and "incredibly disproportionate."

In an interview with a local television station, Reichen said it was "disturbing" that "when the Nationalist Party does not get its way, its leaders resort to calling Conservatives 'Nazis.'"

A spokesperson for Myrick's office later said he did not mean stir up a controversy, but he would not retract his comments.

The bill at the center of the controversy is a bill proposed by Nationalists, that would require gun owners to attend annual gun safety courses in order to obtain and maintain a concealed weapons permit.

Nationalists say it forces gun owners to think about safety, while Conservatives say its a needless regulation that serves little purpose and allows government to extend too far.

Both Myrick and his boss, Governor Karen DeSalle (N), support the bill.

Xhi stumps for Andres

HENOTIA, Harvannah--Lieutenant Governor Mia Xhi (N) spent the weekend stumping for her ally, Governor Mark Andres (N).

Xhi faces a relatively easy bid for re-election against Clevey Springs Mayor Todd Kren (C), and therefore will devote some time to campaigning for her counterpart in the governor's office, who is facing a difficult fight for re-election against Harrisport Mayor George Garesby.

Xhi spent the weekend in western Harvannah, first speaking to a group of mothers in Henotia on Friday, and later speaking to union members in Harlyne.

"I fully support Mark Andres for governor," Xhi said in Henotia. "If you want to see progress, if you want to see equality and social justice, you need to vote for Mark Andres."

In Harlyne, she spoke of the governor's record of supporting unions.

"Mark has worked to strengthen our unions in this state, and he's not stopping now. He opposes the school overseer initiative that's on the ballot this November because he knows it will only weaken unions," Xhi said.

She also sought to cast Conservative candidate George Garesby as an opponent of progressive values.

"The other side wants to take us backward. Whether it's women's health, science, the environment, education, unionization, the economy, taxes...you name it, they're on the wrong side."

Andres spent his weekend campaigning also, spending Saturday in Flag Harbor, talking about imports and exports.

Garesby was campaigning in Scandinaugh and Adams Counties this weekend, speaking to firefighters, and to homeowners about water rights.

Xhi's CNS opponent, Todd Kren, took the weekend off from campaigning.

The latest Harlyne Sun/WAHL-TV poll conducted last week showed Xhi with 57% to Kren's 42%.

That same poll found Andres and Garesby with 49% each.

Actors in pro-Andres commercial don't live in Harvannah

CLEVEY SPRINGS, Harvannah--Conservatives have filed a complaint with the Harvannah Secretary of State's office regarding a political advertisement put out by the campaign of incumbent Gov. Mark Andres (N).

The 30-second television advertisement, which began airing on stations state-wide last week, features 14 different people, of different races, genders and backgrounds.

One woman in the ad says, "We are Harvannans."

"And we support Mark Andres," another says.

The only problem: four of the people that appear in the ad are not actual residents of Harvannah.

The state Conservative Party filed a complaint, calling the ad "misleading" and "deceptive."

The Andres campaign acknowledged Monday that the four people in question do not reside in Harvannah.

One man who appears in the ad is actually Andres' cousin, who lives in Armana.

Three women, including two Hispanics, voice their support for Andres in the commercial, but actually live in Damoign, the campaign confirmed.

It's unclear how the three women in question became included in the commercial.

A spokesman for the Andres campaign told the Harlyne Sun he believed the women were acquaintances of campaign staff members, but did not know for sure.

As for the governor's cousin, the campaign has no regrets about using him.

"The governor's cousin, Bill Wenson, lives in Armana. But he deeply supports his cousin Mark Andres, and he wanted to be apart of the campaign and apart of the commercial, and we felt that was an appropriate way for him to be involved," spokesman Jared Welsh said.

The complaint filed by the state Conservative Party will be heard by the state's election commission and Secretary of State Jennifer Giorchani. The commission and Giorchani will deliver a joint ruling within the week, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of State's office said.

Olsen backs Garesby for governor

FORESTVIEW, Harvannah--Former ambassador and prominent Democratic-Reformist Bernie Olsen announced his support for Conservative gubernatorial candidate George Garesby at a press conference today in southern Bourneham County.

Olsen, who placed second in the 2007 special election for governor against Nationalist Mark Andres and Conservative Julia Giorchani, told reporters George Garesby is the most-qualified and least divisive candidate.

"I've known George Garesby for years. He has always displayed rarely-seen intelligence, dedication, and diplomacy in every endeavor he has pursued and been apart of. There is no doubt in my mind that he will make a great governor," Olsen said during his roughly five-minute speech.

Olsen also took incumbent governor Mark Andres to task for his "failure of leadership" and "failed policies."

"It's no contest," Olsen feistily remarked, when asked if Garesby would make a better leader than Andres. "The governor we have in office now has failed to show leadership. He has brought division to this state and has encouraged discord, with the Air Force, with the state legislature, with the neighbor islands."

"When it comes to intelligence, there's no contest. George Garesby is smarter. When it comes to commitment to the job, there's no contest. George Garesby is more dedicated to the welfare of this state. When it comes to who can do a better job unifying our state and bringing bipartisanship back into the governor's office, it's no contest. George Garesby is a unifier," Olsen said.

Garesby, who stood by the former ambassador's side during the press conference, told reporters he was "deeply honored" to have Olsen's endorsement.

"Bernie and I have been friends for a long time, and, beyond our friendship, I see him as a leader in our state and our community, and I am humbled and delighted to have his support," Garesby said.

Olsen's endorsement is evidence of a wave of multi-partisan support for his candidacy, Garesby added.

He pointed to an endorsement he received last week from Nationalist Jim Vassater, who ran for governor in 2007 but lost in the primary to Andres.

"Last week it was Jim Vassater, this week Bernie Olsen. I think what you're seeing is a lot of people, a lot of public officials and political leaders saying, 'You know, who's the better candidate? Who's more qualified? Who's more able to bring about real change and to work across party lines?' That candidate is me, and I'm happy to say it's not just Conservatives supporting me, but Nationalists and Democratic-Reformists and independents too."

The Andres campaign had no official comment on the endorsement.

But the Mark Andres campaign Twitter account posted a tweet immediately following the press conference, saying, "Another old dude endorses George Garesby. #BernieOlsen."

Schools initiative creates strange alliances

CLEVEY SPRINGS, Harvannah--This coming November, voters in Harvannah will be presented with a new proposal for the state's public schools system.

The proposal is officially called Initiative 93 (I-93), but is more commonly referred to as the "schools initiative" or "education overseer initiative."

I-93 calls for an amendment to the state's constitution that would require the citizens elect a public schools commissioner to oversee the state's public schools system.

Under the current system, the governor appoints a secretary of education. The secretary answers only to the governor, and can be fired at any time for any reason.

Proponents of I-93 say an independently-elected commissioner or overseer is necessary to ensure autonomy, and to improve public school performance. They contend the schools system would improve if the head of the education department had to answer to the voters instead of simply the governor.

"Right now, our schools are failing in this state. Particularly in low-income and rural areas," Dawn Haggerton, who heads the "YES on I-93" campaign, told The Island News. "Our schools are failing largely because the governor oversees the secretary, and there is little accountability and little incentive to improve the schools."

"Electing a commissioner independently, where we can circumvent the governor altogether, allows for more autonomy, greater transparency, and ultimately, more accountability when it comes to governing our public schools system."

Opponents of the measure say creating a new position will also create a new bureaucracy, which will lead to more tax dollars being misspent. They also argue that a separately-elected schools chief will not necessarily improve performance.

"If this passes, it's going to create a new bureaucracy. We're going to be wasting millions more dollars on a new department, and the schools probably are not going to improve all that much," says John Diamonte, who leads the "NO on I-93" side.

Some opponents add that electing a schools chief takes that authority away from the governor. They believe it diminishes the governor's power, and they believe that is a drawback.

"Our state constitution calls for a strong governor, that has not absolute power, but has enough power to get an agenda sent through the legislature. The governor's authority over schools is clearly defined in the constitution. If this initiative succeeds, the governorship will be significantly weakened, and the governor will no longer have any say over the future of our schools," Dr. Kevin Russler, professor of government at the University of Harvannah--Ashford's Landing told the NPF.

Both sides have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for their campaign. The YES campaign reported $437,000 as of July 31. The NO campaign reported $222,000.

But what's most interesting about the schools initiative is the strange alliances it has created.

Most of Harvannah's elected officials--Nationalist and Conservative--are in support of the measure.

George Garesby, Conservative candidate for governor, has spoken out in favor of I-93.

"Our schools are in need of change. We have a system that is failing our schools, failing our communities, and failing our young people. Having someone that is elected independently would put more accountability in the process, and it would give voters the ultimate say," Garesby told the Ashford Current.

Both federal Senate candidates, Cal Sulley (N) and Robert Faller (C), have voiced their support, as well as both candidates for attorney general, Julio Emaria (C) and Kate Morelda (N), Conservative lieutenant governor candidate Todd Kren, and Assemblyman Steve Frenitch (C-Londigan).

Assembly candidates Hugh Brogan (C-Gilbourne) and Don Pinter (N-Londigan), as well as Lex Martin (N), who is running for president of the Western Harvannah Metropolitan Council, are also in favor of the schools initiative.

Governor Mark Andres (NAT) and Lt. Gov. Mia Xhi have come out against the proposal, saying it will weaken the governorship and is unconstitutional.

"The governor needs to have the power, the constitutionally-sanctioned power, to oversee the schools system. This initiative is going to strip that power from the governor, effectively removing the governor from having any say in the education system in this state, and that's wrong and it's unconstitutional," Andres, a lawyer, said.

Xhi, also a lawyer, agrees.

"I think this proposed plan is going to negatively impact the governor's contribution to the education system. And it's going to put all the power in the hands of one person. I don't think that's a good thing for Harvannah."

Joining Andres and Xhi in opposition are Assembly candidate Ray Augustino (N-Ducheffrey) and WHMC presidential contender John Gulliver (CNS).

Both major candidates for Ashford-Northshore are opposed. Liberal Jill LaFraniere and the far-right Hal Swenson oppose the measure, but for different reasons. LaFraniere believes it undermines the governor's authority, while Swenson opposes the matter because of the potential bureaucracy and spending increases.

Only two of Harvannah's political players--Conservative Assemblyman Frank Kerenbury of Ducheffrey and Nationalist Assemblywoman Marin Holsh of Gilbourne--have remained neutral on the schools issue.

"I'm going to let the voters decide what's best for our schools," Kerenbury told a reporter Friday, as he attempted to dodge a question about the issue.

Holsh said she personally believes the governor should have the authority to deal with school matters, but said it's up to the voters.

"I have my beliefs, but at the end of the day, it's not about what I believe but it's about what the voters believe."

The voters will have the final say this November at the general election. If the measure garners a majority of the vote, then a special election will be held three months later to elect the first commissioner. If the measure does not pass, the governor will maintain authority over the state's education system.

18-car pileup on New Portsmouth freeway leaves 8 dead

YANCEYBURG, New Portsmouth--A massive pileup on a busy freeway has left eight people dead and more than a dozen injured.

The 18-car pileup happened early this morning around 3:40 am eastern time in the north-bound lanes of NR-1, just north of Yanceyburg and south of Dayle-Locke.

The New Portsmouth Highway Patrol (NPHP) says a vehicle that was stopped on the highway in heavy fog may have caused the chain-reaction collision. It's unclear what caused the vehicle to stop, but investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved.

The NPHP confirmed the collision involved several cars, at least two tractor trailers, as well as a church van heading back to Dayle-Locke from a youth retreat.

Five people were dead at the scene, and three more died later in hospital.

More than a dozen are injured, most with non-life-threatening injuries, a spokesman for NPHP said. They were taken to area hospitals in Dayle-Locke and Yanceyburg.

It's unclear if any of the fatalities involved children from the church group.

The Highway Patrol is still investigating, and the highway remains closed. NPHP expects to have it re-opened by 2:00 pm.

POG Senate race headed for automatic recount

LANSDALE, Province of Grassadellia--The premier Conservative Senate primary in POG has ended in a near tie, with Assemblywoman Julie Dennings of Dynsmore Hills trailing Independent-turned-Conservative businessman Mike Indano by just over 9,100 votes out of more than 3.5 million ballots cast.

State election law requires an automatic recount if there is less than 0.5% separating two candidates. Only 0.25% separate Indano and Dennings, according to Secretary of State Max Kiesling, who said election workers have already begun the recounting process.

Most political experts expected the four-way race for the Conservative Senate nomination to be close. But virtually no one expected the little-known Indano, a self-made millionaire from Kingham who previously ran for the Senate in 2010 as an Independent, to come out on top.

Dennings and another businessman, realtor Terry Silvi of Garamond Lake, were considered the two front runners. Incumbent Sen. Charlie Quince, who was appointed to the Senate by Gov. Donna Almone in 2007 but was never elected, was widely anticipated to lose his bid for election, after angering Conservatives with his a moderate voting record.

The final tally of the initial count, released by Secretary of State Kiesling's office this morning, shows Indano leading with 28.49% or 1,024,884 votes. Close behind is Rep. Dennings, with 28.24% or 1,015,757 votes. Silvi is in a decisive third place, with 25.48% or 916,581 votes, and Quince trails badly with just 17.78%, or 639,522 votes.

Quince conceded early Tuesday evening, after it became overwhelmingly apparent he would not be close to winning. He thanked his supporters, who gathered in Knoxbury in the central part of the state, and thanked Gov. Almone for giving him the chance to serve in "the best job of my life."

Silvi also conceded later in the night, telling his supporters in east Lansdale that he was grateful for the agenda they had advanced, and he looked forward to working with the eventual CNS nominee, whomever it may be.

"Whether it's Mike Indano or Julie Dennings that emerges from this very, very close race, we must get behind our Conservative colleagues and our CNS nominee so we can win the election and take this country back," Silvi said to moderate applause.

Indano's campaign celebration in downtown Kingham was ecstatic, as enthused supporters celebrated their candidate's unlikely though tenuous victory.

"Tonight, we just gave the establishment a shock. We just sent a jolt through the entire political community in POG and in Grassadellia," Indano said to cheers. "We proved that an unlikely candidate, who the media has written off and people in the party and in the press have written off, can actually come from behind, can overcome the incredible odds and can come out on top."

Indano stopped short of claiming victory outright, but he did point out that he was leading.

"This race is going to be very close, and we can't say for certain yet what the outcome is, but we are leading at present, and we can celebrate that we have ran an incredible campaign. I think that deserves celebrating."

Dennings was cautious in her election night speech, telling supporters gathered in west Lansdale that the race was close and may not be decided for days.

"Just like last time, when we ran against Congressman Hafen [in 2010], this race is extremely close. We may not know how things are going to end for several days. And we have to press on, and keep our game face on until the dust has settled and everything is decided with certainty," she said.

Dennings added that her campaign is considering all options.

"No options are off the table at this point. We are pursuing every option we have. Obviously, we want the integrity of the election to be upheld, and we want an accurate count and we will go to great lengths to ensure that that happens," she told the NPF Wednesday morning.

The Conservative Senate Campaign Committee, headed by Ansleigha Sen. Jon Ralston, also stopped short of declaring a winner. But Ralston appeared on Jim Danderfield's Landscape program on the GBC, and told Danderfield "either way, the Conservative Party has a solid candidate in Julie Dennings or Mike Indano."

Not only was Indano's apparent election-night victory a shock to the rival campaigns, which anticipated a showdown between Julie Dennings and Terry Silvi, it was also a shock to party officials inside and outside the province.

Privately, sources within the party tell GNN that CNS leaders were hoping Dennings would prevail. Their second choice was Silvi.

"They didn't get either of their top choices. It should be interesting to see how well the party coalesces around Mike Indano now that he is the likely winner," the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to discuss the party's inner workings, told GNN.

Conservative leaders are less than enthused with Indano after he ran in the 2010 Federal Senate election as an Independent. Indano won about 7 percent of the vote in that race, and the Conservative candidate, Rep. Bobby Hafen Jr., did win the general election. However, Indano spent much of his 2010 Senate campaign trashing the Conservative and Nationalist parties, and top CNS leaders question his loyalty to the party.

"Did he have a change of heart over the last two years? Or did he change his party affiliation to Conservative because he felt it would make him more electable? Either way it makes people suspicious," party strategist Alan Gould told GNN's James Madine on the Capitol Report.

Indano's campaign has shrugged off accusations that he has been overly-critical of the Conservative Party.

"When Mike ran for the Senate in 2010, he did criticize the Conservative Party. He also criticized the Nationalist Party," senior campaign aid Kyle Staven told the NPF. "Both parties have flaws, and both parties get too entrenched when they've been in power for too long. Just because someone criticizes the actions of the political parties does not mean they are disloyal. It just means they are brave enough to confront the skeletons in their own party's closet."


Why did Indano not run as a Conservative in 2010? Out of protest, his campaign says.


"Mike Indano has always been a Conservative. He believes in the Conservative Party. He opted not to run as a Conservative in the last election because he wanted to make a point," Staven said.


Specifically, Indano took issue with how Bobby Hafen was "anointed" by party leaders as the Conservative nominee before the primary election even took place.

"I like Bobby Hafen. I respect him. I think he's a good man. But I didn't appreciate how the party leadership got behind him right off the bat and discounted every other candidate and pushed them out of the way to make way for Bobby," Indano told the GBC's Matt Howard. "I don't think that was right."

Dennings' campaign had raised the issue of Indano's questioned loyalty late in the campaign, when Indano's rise in the polls became evident. But Dennings spent much of the preceding months of the campaign attacking Terry Silvi, whom was anticipated to be the greater threat to her candidacy.

Most of the campaign mud-slinging revolved around Indano and Silvi's vast personal wealth. Both men are multi-millionaires, with Indano going from rags-to-riches and Silvi having inherited much of his fortune from his father, who was also in the real estate business.

Throughout the race, the Dennings and Quince camps hurled attacks at Indano and Silvi for trying to "buy" the Senate seat with their personal fortunes. Dennings told the GBC she was "concerned whenever a candidate tries to pour their vast personal wealth into a political campaign."

"It certainly raises concerns, especially to middle-class POGeans who don't have that kind of money lying around to put to good use much less politics," Dennings said.

For Dennings, a loss to Indano would be especially heart-breaking, since she also lost the CNS Senate nomination in 2010 by a small margin. A defeat this time around would mean two back-to-back, extremely close losses in successive election cycles.

This race was also undoubtedly discouraging for Terry Silvi, who also ran in the last election and came up short. Many political observers believed 2012 would be his year to break through.

And for Charlie Quince, who was never elected and was hoping to change that, the drubbing he took in the polls means the end of his Senate career.

But other candidates saw victory in the primary election. On the NAT side, current Secretary of State Max Kiesling won a very close primary for the Federal Senate. Kiesling is hoping to move up to the Senate, and faced a formidable challenge from Lansdale businessman and political newcomer Pat Gaynor.

Kiesling won with 51% of the vote, beating Gaynor by just over 60,000 votes. To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, Kiesling also had his friend and neighboring counterpart, Wilkonshire Secretary of State Jan Van Ness, oversee the election night work.

Kiesling will face Conservative incumbent Sen. Dick Trau in the general election.

Also on the NAT side, it was a showdown between two assemblywomen and former Senate candidates for the NAT Senate nomination for position four.

Rep. Diane Coke of Ellsmere in northern POG faced off against Rep. Jill Yateri of Hapler Valley in southern POG. Yateri ran for the Senate in 2008 and won the Nationalist party's backing, but lost the general election. She ran again in 2010, but lost in the NAT primary to Coke, who ended up losing to Bobby Hafen in the general election.

The two, who have publicly feuded since the 2010 campaign, spent much of the preceding months accusing the other of having ran before with no success. Coke built on Yateri's own words to paint her as too extreme, while Yateri accused Coke of being too compromising and unable to bring real change.

Nationalist voters sided with Coke, however, giving her 57% of the vote. Yateri led in the most liberal counties in the state, but struggled in the Lansdale region and the rural, more conservative counties.

Coke will go on to face Assemblywoman Fran Habries of Canton North, who won the Conservative primary unopposed.

Incumbent Gov. Donna Almone and her running mate, state Rep. Fletcher Grisman, won the CNS gubernatorial nod, while Lansdale Mayor Ollie Fugazzi and his running mate, lawyer Kiera Lindeman, won the NAT gubernatorial primary, respectively.

Almone and Grisman are favored to win in the general election.

The race for governor is considered especially crucial, given that the next governor will preside over POG's transition to a smaller geographic territory and new borders, as well as transitioning state agencies to adjust to the changes.

The next governor will be elected to a special two-year term. Beginning in 2014, the governor will be elected for four year terms again, as in the past.