Contentious gubernatorial primaries divide Monomi politicians

TRIETON -- Looming primaries in the race for governor have caused a split among Monomi's top politicians.

In the NAT primary, former governor Scott King Jr. is running to reclaim his seat, after being recalled by voters in disgrace back in 2010.

King was accused of corruption, but was never indicted. An effort to impeach him failed in the Monomi Senate, but voters subsequently recalled him by a narrow margin.

His reputation seems to have improved since his corruption scandal eight years ago, however.

Recent polling has shown King's approval rating among Monomians has risen into the 45%-50% range.

King is facing Beth Gowan in the NAT primary.

Gowan is a wealthy businesswoman and CEO of a sports supplies company. She ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2014 against Conservative John Densy.

Old wounds over King's past have re-emerged in the NAT, as King's former foes, many of whom called on him to resign during his scandal, have coalesced around Gowan.

Included in this group is King's former lieutenant governor Erica Kinsley, who famously turned against King in the midst of his scandal and succeeded him in the governor's mansion after King's recall.

Former Senator Brad Fiodora is also backing Gowan, saying Monomi needs to move forward, not backward.

But not all Nationalists have turned their backs on King.

Many prominent NAT leaders have endorsed his redemption bid, most notably Federal Senator Nathan Lister and former attorney general Ed Casey.

Most NAT politicians are remaining neutral though, including Trieton Mayor Felipe De Orondes, the NAT's most high-profile figure in the state.

Former Senator Hanna Gorbachy, previously the dean of Monomi's NAT party, has also remained uncommitted, though she has previously supported both King and Gowan in prior campaigns.

The Conservative contest is just as divisive.

Incumbent Governor John Densy is not running for re-election, which has opened the doors to a wide-open race on the CNS side.

The front-runner appears to be Attorney General Will Huxton, who is popular with the Conservative Party base, but has a history of gaffes and has struggled in general elections to win over independent voters.

Huxton is a hardliner on immigration and voter ID laws. He's also fiercely anti-tax and anti-Mavocke.

Former Trieton Mayor Doug Aker and current Heydworth Mayor Pete Campbell are proving to be strong contenders as well, though Aker has been criticized for running a low-energy campaign, and it's unclear if he can win after losing re-election as mayor to Felipe De Orondes last year.

Retired businessman Don Imber from Midvale is not well-known, but has a vast personal fortune and has already donated $1.9 million to his campaign from his own personal funds.

Like Huxton, Imber is taking a hard-line on immigration, taxes and gun rights. He's criticized both Aker and Campbell for being "establishment" candidates.

Trieton state senator Collin Farnsworth is also running for the Conservatives. He's well-known in Trieton, but lacks name recognition outside the capital.

Many see Farnsworth as a compromise candidate; someone who is conservative enough to satisfy an anxious CNS base, but moderate enough to appeal to independents and disaffected Nationalists.

Finally, John Densy's lieutenant governor, Nick Garringer, has also thrown his hat into the ring.

But despite appointing Garringer as his deputy last year, in recent weeks, Densy has distanced himself from Garringer, and privately, aides to Densy say he is hoping Campbell or Farnsworth emerge victorious in the CNS primary election.

Aides to both Densy and Garringer say the two have had a strained relationship since Garringer took over as lieutenant governor following the departure of his predecessor Kerry Paul, who won a Federal Senate seat.

So far, Kerry Paul and fellow CNS Senator Rill Stevens have remained neutral in the governor's race.

But their colleague Cathy De Beers, the most conservative of Monomi's four senators, has openly endorsed Will Huxton.

"Will is committed to the ideals of liberty and freedom from government intrusion that Monomians hold dear," De Beers said at a recent Huxton fundraiser.

Privately, Paul and Stevens are said to favor the establishment candidates: Doug Aker, Pete Campbell, or Collin Farnsworth.

But neither senator has publicly endorsed any candidates.

"I think we have several good candidates in the CNS primary this time around, and I'll wait and see and let the voters make the decision," Paul said earlier this week at her office in Mavocke, when asked about the race.

There are more registered Conservative voters in Monomi than Nationalists, but the state has a history of electing moderate NAT candidates to statewide offices.

Karen DeSalle will campaign with Nick Hall in Kalnier

LAMBERTH, Kaln. -- Former Kalnier Gov. Karen DeSalle (N) will be hitting the campaign trail soon, but she won't be seeking a rematch with Conservative Tony Ritonio, who ousted her from office back in 2014.

DeSalle announced earlier this year that she would not run to recapture the governor's mansion. She served one term as governor from 2011-2015.

Instead, DeSalle endorsed NAT candidate Nick Hall.

Hall, 38, is a former GBC TV presenter in the Lamberth area. He stepped down in 2017 to focus on his gubernatorial campaign.

Having never held elected office before, Hall lacks experience, but is well-known in the Lamberth area.

He has worked with DeSalle and other prominent NAT leaders to establish connections with influential donors throughout the state.

Hall's partner Sarah Ellen Swey is a Lamberth city councilor from the city's working-class south side.

Despite being highly telegenic and friendly, Hall still has an uphill climb to defeating incumbent Tony Ritonio (C), who is seeking a second term in the 2018 fall elections.

Ritonio narrowly defeated DeSalle in 2014, and he took some flak for trying to weaken the influence of labor unions in the state.

However, Kalnier's economy has grown under Ritonio's tenure, and he has held a steady approval rating around 55% for the past year, though his detractors are strong in their disapproval (37%).

Kalnier is a liberal state, but Ritonio has deftly avoided controversial social issues.

When fellow Conservatives made racist comments about Lt. Gov. Len Shigasi, who is Japanese, Ritonio angrily defended Shigasi and condemned the racist rhetoric.

And while he is pro-business and generally supports lower taxes, Ritonio vetoed a funding bill authored by Conservative legislators that gutted funding for social programs and education.

The governor has also embraced bipartisan environmental legislation and has been vocal in his opposition to US President Donald Trump.

But Ritonio's tenure hasn't been all rosy, Nick Hall asserts.

Ritonio's efforts to curb the power and influence of labor unions have been "detrimental," Hall said in an interview with Lamberth Local 9.

Hall also criticized Ritonio for opposing tax increases to fund light rail extensions in the Lamberth metro area.

And Hall has repeatedly called on Ritonio to back a proposed amendment to the state constitution to ban the death penalty.

The death penalty has been outlawed in Kalnier since 1998, but that law is not enshrined in the state constitution, and could theoretically be overturned more easily than a constitutional provision could be.

Ritonio says he personally supports capital punishment, but will respect the will of the voters.

"I want to put this issue to the voters of Kalnier. Let's decide as a state, with all Kalnierans having a voice in this very personal, emotional issues," Ritonio said at a recent forum on justice reform.

No polls have been conducted recently in the Kalnier governor's race, but the National Governors Association (NATGA) has indicated it is willing to invest millions of dollars in the race.

Ritonio allies say NATGA's Conservative counterpart, the Conservative Governors Association (CGA), will defend the governor vigorously with a strong financial backing.

Meanwhile, Karen DeSalle, Ritonio's predecessor, has stayed largely in the shadows in recent years. She has made few public appearances, and moved to Mavocke, where she took a job with the Menuhaeo Administration.

A spokeswoman for DeSalle confirmed, however, that the former governor will make multiple campaign appearances with Hall in the coming months.

Details on the campaign itinerary are limited, but both DeSalle's office and Hall's campaign confirmed the two will make a joint appearance at a campaign rally on September 22 at Lake Auditt High School.

McCaren nominates Maggie Coates to be next spy chief

MAVOCKE -- After much anticipation, President Jim McCaren made his pick to lead the country's main spy agency.

The president has chosen Maggie Coates, a former diplomat and senior official in Grassadellia's intelligence services, to lead NEXIS.

The Native and External Intelligence Services (NEXIS) agency is the largest and most prominent of Grassadellia's spy agencies.

Coates has held several leadership positions within both the Foreign Affairs Department and NEXIS.

If confirmed, she would be the agency's first female chief.

At age 68, she would also be one of the oldest directors of the agency.

Her nomination won praise from across the political spectrum.

"Maggie Coates is an expert in her field and will serve our country well as director of NEXIS," said Armana Senator Serap Figaori (pronounced "Sare-rap Fig-aree"), a Nationalist.

Chuck Danbury, a Conservative senator also from Armana, and one of the Senate's most widely-respected members on national security issues, also offered praise for Coates.

"Maggie Coates has the experience, the knowledge and the temperament to lead NEXIS, and I look forward to voting to confirm her," Danbury said.

Some Conservative senators expressed early opposition to Coates' nomination.

"I have some real concerns about Maggie Coates' views on interrogation and giving legal rights to terrorists," Sen. Driscoll Sherber (C-Biereland) told GNN News.

"Terrorists who seek to kill and destroy Grassadellians should not have access to the same legal rights that the average Grassadellian citizen has access to," added Sherber.

Most members, however, reacted with a generic statement on McCaren's pick.

"I'm eager to sit down with Ms. Coates and discuss her vision for NEXIS and the concerns she has about our country's security," Ansleigha Senator Ellie Higgins, a Conservative, told the NPF.

Trinton Sen. Bruce Kellney (N) told the Golden Shore Tribune that Coates has "a record of service," and "deserves to have a fair and transparent confirmation process."

"I really hope the hardcore Conservatives don't try to sink this nomination just for political purposes," Kellney admonished. "On the issue of national security, we shouldn't let partisan politics dictate our votes."

Denna Halitz on rematch with Nancy Lindselli: 'If I lose, I lose'

CHRISTEN-KERR, East Des. -- It's been four years since Denna Halitz was forced out of the Federal Senate.

The popular senator from the Vandershutes, a fertile, agricultural region in the southeast corner of the state, was knocked off in an intra-party battle with Nancy Lindselli, a hardliner former senator from Birch Hollow.

At the time, Lindselli cast Halitz as too moderate for the Conservative Party.

Halitz was more connected to Mavocke than her home state, Lindselli charged, and too compromising with the NAT and President Brenton Menuhaeo.

After a knife-edge race, the fiery Lindselli was declared the winner of the CNS primary.

Halitz continued the race as an Independent, but in the general election, both she and Lindselli split the centre-right vote and lost to Donna Rae Cobb, a moderate Nationalist from Hansboro.

The two former senators played the blame game after the election.

Halitz argued she would have coasted to re-election and the CNS would have held on to a key Senate seat had Lindselli not challenged her in the primary.

Lindselli called Halitz a "sore loser" for continuing in the race as an Independent after losing the CNS nomination.

Fast forward four years to present day, and the two Conservative women are going head-to-head again.

Both are seeking the Conservative Party's nod to take on NAT incumbent Allison Sweeten, who narrowly defeated Lindselli in 2012.

But this time, the contest is less heated, at least on Halitz's part.

In a wide-ranging interview on East Deschire Public Radio, Denna Halitz reflected on her failed 2014 bid for re-election.

"I think in 2014, I was so desperate to win, so desperate to hold on to my seat, that I sort of stooped to the level of my opponent. She flung attacks against me, so I flung them right back. She was insulting on the campaign trail, and I fired back with my own zingers. I think that was a mistake. I fought fire with fire, and I realized afterwards that that strategy was probably not the most effective," Halitz said.

"And more importantly, it was also not who I am. I'm not a bitter, vindictive person who hurls insults casually. I'm a level-headed, calm, thoughtful person who wants to have a civil discussion about the problems facing our country," she added.

This time around, Denna Halitz insists her campaign is focused on listening instead of trading barbs.

"I've been traveling all around East Deschire, talking to people all across our state, asking them, 'what's important to you?' 'What's important to your family?' 'What challenges are you facing in your small business?' 'What problems are you having with health care?' 'What can the government do or not do to make things easier?'"

"And people have been very open and frank with me. They say, 'Denna, wheat prices are too low,' or 'government subsidies are not covering the cost of the farm.' They tell me that they can't sleep at night because they are worried about paying for college tuition for their kids, or paying medical bills or paying the mortgage. And I've just been listening to all these everyday, average East Deschireans, trying to understand and empathize and let them know, if I'm elected, I will try to help you, because that's what a senator does."

"We don't senators to Mavocke to just insult the president, or to be obstinate because they don't like the administration or the majority party. We send our senators there to fix things, to make solutions, to help their constituents and be a voice for their state. And that's the kind of senator I want to be for East Deschire."

She's less concerned with winning this time, Halitz said.

"This time, since I'm not an incumbent, I'm not desperate to hang on to my seat. I'm not desperate to hold the seat for the party. I don't care about being in the majority. I'm just running because I want to run and because I care about our state and the people."

"I'm in it to win, but if I lose, I lose. Life will go on. There is more to life than being a senator."

For her part, Nancy Lindselli has been relatively quiet compared to her previous campaigns.

She has criticized Halitz in TV ads and campaign flyers for being too moderate and for not standing up for East Deschire's concerns in Mavocke.

But Lindselli's attacks have been much softer than those of her past runs for office.

Lindselli panned Halitz for "trying to appear to take the high moral ground." And the former scoffed at Halitz's recent "new age, hippie, peace-love persona."

"I find it hard to believe that Denna Halitz is all of a sudden transformed into this positive role-model. I find it hard to believe that she's all of a sudden above all the attack ads and the dirt-throwing. I've ran against her before, I know just how dirty she can get," Lindselli told a Hansboro TV station.

But Lindselli maintained that the real problem in this election cycle is the NAT incumbent, Allison Sweeten.

"Allison Sweeten is far more dangerous and harmful for East Deschire than Denna is. I think Denna is a good person, I think she does really, truly care about East Deschire. Allison Sweeten only cares about Allison Sweeten. And the Nationalist Party. And the abortion industry. And the radical environmentalists who want to destroy our farmers and our agriculture and our way of life here in East Deschire."

Sweeten has done little campaigning so far, and frequently portrays herself as a centrist, despite having a solidly liberal voting record on social issues like abortion and gay rights.

A spokeswoman for the senator said Sweeten will stay focused on serving East Deschire while her two Conservative opponents "continue their cat fight from 2014."

Polls have shown Halitz would easily defeat Sweeten in a general election match up, while Lindselli would trail the incumbent slightly.

Brown, Rattner advance in Marchenay governor's race

MANCHESTER, March. -- Conservative Gov. David Brown easily routed a more far-right opponent in Marchenay's CNS primary election last night, and Attorney General Dan Rattner won a four-way race to become the NAT's candidate.

Brown, a socially-liberal, wealthy, moderate incumbent from Manchester, was being challenged for his party's backing by freshman state Rep. David LaSaria of Harpertown (pronounced "Luh-sarr-ree-a").

Brown ultimately held onto his party's nomination, taking 58% of the primary vote compared to 41% for LaSaria, or 540,158 votes to 383,740, respectively.

LaSaria, just 39 years old, criticized Brown, 59, for being too socially liberal and for failing to rein in reckless spending in Newcastle.

A devoutly conservative Roman Catholic, LaSaria took particular issue with Brown's pro-abortion stance.

LaSaria was also vocally critical of Brown's approval of a bill that outlawed so-called "conversion therapy" for gay youth, a practice employed by conservative religious organizations that has been widely discredited by the scientific and medical communities.

"David Brown says he is a Conservative. He has a 'C' after his name on his campaign signs. But he supports abortion, he supports penalizing and persecuting churches and religious organizations for their Biblical views on marriage and sexuality, and he spends money just as willy-nilly as the Nationalists," LaSaria told a crowd of conservative activists.

CNS voters in rural counties swung heavily in favor of LaSaria, while the urban areas stayed with Brown, who pitched himself as a more seasoned, tempered leader.

"David LaSaria is young, and handsome, and full of energy, and quick to criticize. But he's not ready to lead," Brown told a group of supporters on the eve of the election.

After Marchenay Secretary of State Kathy Bernanski released the results, David LaSaria conceded the race. He did not endorse Brown, however.

"The voters have spoken. They've decided to stick with David Brown. I wish it turned out differently, but we have to respect the Conservative voters of Marchenay," LaSaria said.

Brown thanked his supporters for "delivering a verdict of common sense and pragmatism."

"Tonight, you had the opportunity to choose a rogue novice who was big on attacks but short on solutions. And you rejected that offer, and chose to stick with someone who's less flashy, less handsome - maybe - (he said to laughs), but actually has solutions and a plan for Marchenay," said Brown at his victory rally in Manchester.

Meanwhile, the race for the NAT gubernatorial nomination was less certain.

Four candidates asked NAT voters to give them the nod to challenge Brown, who is seeking his second term in fall 2018.

Attorney General Dan Rattner, of Newcastle, was an early favorite. But when longtime NAT party activist and elder Tom Hartwell of Kittelson entered the contest, and then Mavocke businessman Tom Fortney, the race was suddenly plunged into uncertainty.

Liberal activist Diane Dembrowski from Newcastle was also in the running, though she was overwhelmingly outspent by her three male opponents.

In the end, Rattner narrowly avoided an upset. He held on to win with almost 30% of votes, followed closely by Hartwell with 28%, Fortney with 25% and Dembrowski with 17 per cent, respectively.

Rattner ended the night with 326,606 votes to Hartwell's 310,381.

Fortney followed with 278,190 and Dembrowski with 186,429.

Rattner did well in the state's largest metro area, Madagen, while Hartwell and Fortney split counties in the greater Mavocke area.

Calling the primary election "an invigorating process," Rattner told his supporters he is prepared to take on David Brown in the fall.

"This campaign was hard, it was close. That's a good thing," he said. "Now we will be more tested and more hungry for victory against David Brown this fall."

Unlike their Conservative counterparts, all three NAT losing candidates immediately endorsed Rattner.

Hartwell called the attorney general a "good man who will be an effective leader."

Fortney said he looks forward to working with Rattner after he is elected governor.

And Dembrowski urged her voters to throw their support to Rattner in the general election.

"There is really no question about who you should support this fall. Dan Rattner is apart of the NAT establishment, and I'm not too thrilled about that. But Dan Rattner is a saint compared to David Brown. So we need to support Dan, and make sure David Brown and his greedy, rich friends in the Conservative party don't win," said Dembrowski.

Few polls have been conducted to gauge a Brown-Rattner race, but most political pundits expect it to be close.

Both Brown and Rattner are wealthy, accomplished figures, though neither is particularly charismatic.

Brown has been called a "professorial" and "socially-awkward" by his own party members.

Rattner has been called "cold" and "lacking compassion" by fellow Nationalists.

Mr. Brown has come under fire from Rattner and Nationalists for a lagging economy - something the governor vowed to fix when he campaigned against his predecessor Christine Gabler (N) in 2014.

The Brown campaign, however, has already released a TV ad attacking Rattner. The ad depicts a factory and a conveyor belt and shows a Dan Rattner action figure coming off the "Nationalist Party machine's assembly line."

"Dan Rattner is the product of the Nationalist Party machine politics factory," the narrator says. "He's programmed to raise taxes, he's equipped with sound bytes about inequality and manufactured to attack business. But just like this action figure, he doesn't do much."

The ad is currently running in all seven media markets in Marchenay.

Kellan Kastol comes out as bisexual, declines to address rumored relationship with Roman Chatskovy

Grassadellia City mayor comes out after bombshell shocking book details personal details

GRASSADELLIA CITY -- The mayor of the nation's largest city has publicly addressed his sexuality after a controversial book written by a former political acquaintance revealed details of his personal life.

Kellan Kastol, the 42-year-old mayor of Grassadellia City, confirmed the book's assertion that he is bisexual.

Rumors about Kastol's sexuality have swirled for years, but the topic intensified recently when Bryan George, a former Nationalist Party official, wrote a bombshell book that accused Kastol of being bisexual and detailed Kastol's romantic relationships.

In his book "Casual Politics," released last week by the Williams-Stanstead publishing house, George claims to have firsthand knowledge of Kastol's sexuality.

The book says Kastol frequently dated both women and men during his early years in office, including another prominent Damoign politician, Conservative Senator Roman Chatskovy.

George says Kastol's alleged romantic encounters with Chatskovy were secretive because both men publicly identified as heterosexual.

Both Kastol and Chatskovy are unmarried bachelors who are known for their good looks and impressive physiques, and both have received widespread media attention for their fitness and attractiveness.

In a deeply personal, sit-down interview with the Chamberlain Network's Diane Caufield, Kastol admitted he is bisexual.

"For me, sex and sexuality...it's more about relationships and being close with someone than it is about gender. I think anyone, under the right circumstances, with the right person and a deep connection, can fall for someone of the same gender. I know I have," he said.

But when asked if he had a relationship or romantic encounters with Chatskovy, as Bryan George's book alleges, the mayor declined to answer.

"I'm not going to get into the details of my personal life and who I've dated and been involved with. That's between me and them. But what I will tell you, and the rest of the nation now in this interview, is that, yes, I am a bisexual Grassadellian. I have dated women and men, I am attracted to both women and men. And I'm okay with that."

The book was correct about his sexuality, but other details of the book are inaccurate, Kastol said, though he declined to elaborate.

"Bryan was right about that. I like women and men. But other details in the book about who I've dated, and other personal details about me that he put in there are not correct. There a lot of mistruths in his book, so it should really be taken with a big grain of salt," he said.

Kastol noted that George previously worked for his campaign, and had been fired.

"This book is the work of a disgruntled former employee of my campaign," he said.

Back in 2012, Kastol briefly and publicly dated then-attorney general candidate Jenna Duvan. The power couple dated for about nine months before splitting up.

In 2016, Duvan was elected governor of Damoign, a position she currently holds.

Since his split with Duvan, Kastol has not had any public relationships.

It was following his break-up with Duvan that Bryan George alleges Kastol began secretly dating or "hooking up" with Chatskovy on multiple occasions.

The book describes their relationship as a "discreet friends with benefits" arrangement.

Swarmed by reporters and cameras yesterday outside his Libney home, Roman Chatskovy denied he'd had any romantic encounters with Kastol or any other man.

"I hate to disappoint you all but I am not gay, I am not bisexual. I am heterosexual, I date women, I always have and always will," he said.

He added that Kellan Kastol is a "long-time friend and colleague," and the two have worked closely on various political causes over the years because they are elected officials.

"But our relationship has always been professional and platonic," Chatskovy said.

"This book is a disgrace and an attempt to smear good people's reputations," he added.

When asked for his thoughts about Kastol's coming out as bisexual, Chatskovy said he never suspected Kastol was bisexual, but he's happy for the mayor.

"I'm glad that he can be who he is and he can live a more comfortable life now without that personal issue being bottled up," said Chatskovy.

Jenna Duvan was asked about the matter, including if Kastol's bisexuality was a factor in the couple's break-up.

"I didn't know Kellan was bisexual, and I don't think he knew either. This is a personal journey that's confusing and difficult to navigate, and I understand that, and I'm here to support him in any way I can," Duvan said.

Bryan George's book doesn't accuse Kastol or Chatskovy of breaking any laws or rules, but the allegations outlined in the book could negatively affect their reputations.

Legal experts say both men could file a libel lawsuit against Bryan George, but historically, unless allegations of illegal activity are made, or of activity that is "grossly repugnant to a large sector of society," or if the plaintiffs suffer irreparable damage to their reputations, courts typically don't rule in favor of politicians in libel litigation.

In the past three decades, rumors about politicians' affairs and sex lives have been deemed permissible by the courts, since the personal lives of public officials are commonly discussed by the media and average citizens.

If the book alleged that Kastol or Chatskovy engaged in illegal sexual activity, such as prostitution or sex with a minor, then they would certainly have a libel case, legal analysts say.

Bryan George defended his book in a tense interview with GNN's Michael Micardi. George said the book contains information he was given by close confidantes, friends and aides of the mayor and senator, and his own firsthand accounts.

"I stand by the veracity of this book," George said.

He denied that the book was written out of vengeance or because he was disgruntled with Kastol or Chatskovy.

"I have a duty to tell the story. There's no personal vendetta, but politicians need to be authentic and honest about who they are."

A spokesperson for Kastol later told the National Press Federation (NPF) that the mayor is consulting with his legal team on possible legal action.

Chatskovy's office said the senator was done addressing "outlandish rumors and gossip."

Kastol is now the most prominent LGBTQ politician in the country, joining other LGBTQ leaders like Monomi Senator Rill Stevens, Lial Senator Jamie Scousenovy, and Assemblyman Peter Bennelly of Damoign.

Donna Almone: 'It absolutely breaks my heart' that young Black men fear police

LANSDALE -- In a wide-ranging interview with the GBC network, POG Governor and former Conservative presidential candidate Donna Almone spoke passionately about the economy, the environment and police brutality.

The sit-down interview was conducted at her office in downtown Lansdale. The governor, who has largely stayed out of the national spotlight since her razor-thin defeat in the 2016 presidential election, told the GBC's GinaMarie Demuri that she has "never felt more committed to the cause of public service" than now.

Almone - who is POG's longest-serving governor, serving since 2006 - told Demuri that the economy continues to be her main concern as governor.

"Yes, Grassadellians don't like Donald Trump. Yes they care about social justice and equality. Yes they care about the environment. But most of all, they care about putting food on the table for their families. Paying their mortgage. Paying their rent. Paying the light bill. So many Grassadellians are struggling to get by. Wage stagnation is at an all-time high, and yet the cost of living keeps increasing. People are having a tough time keeping up. So that's why my focus as governor has been on building a stronger, more robust economy. Bringing jobs here to POG. Bringing living-wage jobs here, so people can afford to live a comfortable life with their families; so parents can spend more time with their kids and less time working to make money just to scrape by."

Almone said she'd like to see members of Congress focus on economic issues too.

"Governors understand the importance of the economy, because we get unemployment reports regularly, we closely follow new factories that open or shut down, we closely watch welfare rolls and monitor job growth. Economic vitality is something that governors are more in tune with I think, than our legislators. Senators and Assemblymen, they focus on a wide array of issues every day. That's just the nature of their jobs. So we are doing our part, we need the Congress and the President and his team to focus more on reducing the tax burden on families, incentivizing economic growth and creating strong jobs that will be able to sustain families."

The governor was asked about recent environmental legislation she signed in to law that restricts oil drilling off the coast of POG and her opposition to a proposed natural gas pipeline that would criss-cross the southern part of the state.

"Are these new laws you signed and championed, are they harming or hampering economic growth?" Demuri asked.

"No I don't think so. Certainly we would get new jobs from oil companies coming in and developing oil and natural gas. But the bulk of POG's economy surrounds tourism and travel. If we jeopardize our coastlines and jeopardize our environment, if we have an oil spill or cause irreversible damage to our pristine land and waters, we will lose far more jobs than we would gain from an oil rig or a pipeline."

She is open to natural gas exploration in the interior of POG's southwest, however, but not a pipeline.

The interview took a more poignant turn when Demuri asked the governor about the recent fatal shooting of Leon Aruba, a 37-year-old unarmed Black man who was killed by police in Lansdale's southwest last week.

"Is there a problem with police training in our country?" asked Demuri.

"I think there are some systemic problems in the way our law enforcement are trained. I think they are trained to shoot to kill in every circumstance, and while that is good for mass shooting events and we always want to eliminate the threat to innocent human life, I think sometimes our police culture and training has inadvertently caused officers to shoot first and then assess afterwards. Just instinctively that's what they're trained to do and their instincts take over. I don't believe it's a purposeful action, it's instinctive. But I do believe we need to re-evaluate how we train our police and how our police use force."

"The bottom line is, no one in our country should feel unsafe walking down the sidewalk on a sunny afternoon. It absolutely breaks my heart, Gina, that young African-Grassadellian men, and young Hispanic men in our country do not feel safe around police, do not feel like they can walk down the street wearing a hoodie. No Grassadellian should feel unsafe around law enforcement. Our police are here to protect us and make us feel safer, and yet we have a whole segment of our population who feel unsafe around police; who feel like they're always under suspicion and always being watched with a watchful eye in a way that other people aren't. I think that's a cultural issue that we as Grassadellians need to address, and the law enforcement community needs to address as well. We need to apologize to young men of color and make it clear to all Grassadellians that the police respect you, they are here to protect you, they will treat you fairly and treat you the way they'd treat a white person."

The governor added that "we, as a country, have a long way to go on the issue of race and police."

Leon Aruba was walking down a sidewalk on a residential street when he was stopped by Lansdale police officer Luis Perretes.

Perretes stopped Aruba because he matched the description of a theft suspect who stole merchandise from a nearby convenience store.

Aruba was carrying a skate board at the time Perretes confronted him. Aruba approached Perretes, who was still in his patrol car, and raised his skateboard in the air.

Perretes told his superiors he believed Aruba was trying to bash him with the skateboard and feared Aruba would reach into the car and pull his gun from his waist-belt.

After multiple warnings, Aruba did not back away and Perretes shot him at close range, hitting Aruba in the torso three times.

Aruba was unarmed and witnesses said he raised the skateboard slightly but not in a threatening manner.

"It appeared he was just frustrated the officer was questioning him and he raised his skateboard a little but in a way like saying, 'man, why you bothering me,'" said Miguel Ruita, who saw the shooting take place.

Aruba was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead a few hours later. He was not the suspect from the convenience store theft either, police later determined.

Perretes was placed on paid leave, which is standard protocol, as investigators from the POG State Police investigate the shooting.

Lansdale Police Chief Richard Cordanson said he was disturbed the incident took a fatal turn, and a thorough investigation would take place.

Cordanson drew complaints, however, when he later said the fatal shooting could have been avoided if Aruba had heeded Perretes' verbal warnings to back away.

"It's very simple. When a police officer gives you instructions and tells you to do something, you do it. You can argue about it later. But in that moment, you need to follow the officer's commands," Cordanson said.

He later apologized.

Minority groups and community activists have since called for his resignation or firing.

Lansdale Mayor Ollie Fugazzi said he will meet with his public safety committee before making a decision on Cordanson's future.

Shay Robertson says 'reckoning' on guns is happening in US

NEW YORK -- Former Senate Majority Leader Shay Robertson (N-Damoign) spoke at Columbia University in New York City last week, and he had some interesting thoughts.

Asked about gun control by an audience member, Robertson explained Grassadellia has similar problems with guns as the US, though less gun crime and gun ownership.

"The cultural traditions surrounding guns are not as strong in Grassadellia, but we do have millions of citizens who own them, and we do have a gun crime problem, particularly in the inner cities where gang violence has escalated in recent years," Robertson said.

The former Senate majority leader, who lost a bid for re-election in the 2016 election, told the audience that gun control alone is not the answer.

"In Grassadellia, we have had difficulty passing gun legislation at the national level, just like here in the US. So we've turned to the state and local levels to pass gun restrictions, and more importantly than passing gun control, we've worked closely with law enforcement to target crime-ridden neighborhoods and make gang enforcement a priority."

Robertson's comments are mostly accurate. Gun crime statistics are comparable in Grassadellia to the US, so are gun ownership levels. However, mass shootings are a much more rare occurrence in Grassadellia than the USA.

Robertson attributed this to more effective gun control in Grassadellia and a less powerful gun lobby in Grassadellia.

"In my country, the gun lobby is not nearly as powerful as it is in the United States. The US gun lobby is extraordinarily powerful and influential. In Grassadellia, guns are important. But we also recognize that mass shootings are preventable through smart, effective legislation. If you take the emotion and the cultural demagoguery out of the equation, you can have smart gun reform that protects lawful gun owners but severely limits the ability of criminals to commit mass atrocities."

Additionally, he blamed Republicans in the US Congress for failing to prioritize gun reform in the states.

"In Grassadellia, it's the Conservative politicians that are dragging their feet and using guns as a wedge issue in campaigns. They know people care about guns and safety and crime, and they draw on that for political purposes. And from what I've seen, and from what my progressive friends here in the states tell me, it's the Republicans who are dragging their feet here and refusing to pass gun reform. They are effectively politicizing the safety and well-being of America's cities, and that's immoral."

Now working as an advisor for the Faren Young financial corporation, Robertson has little to do with the gun debate these days, but he told the Columbia University audience he hopes US politicians will be more receptive to what he calls "common sense gun legislation."

"I think what we're seeing in the US is a reckoning of sorts. We're seeing the American people waking up and realizing, 'this is not normal.' It's not normal to have mass shootings every week in which tens or dozens of people are killed in bloody, gory fashion. It's not normal, it's not acceptable, and it doesn't have to be this way. The American people are waking up to that reality and I hope they hold their politicians accountable and force their political leaders to do something."

While mass shootings are uncommon in Grassadellia, gang shootings has increased substantially in the last five years, with most of the violence occurring in Grassadellia City and other east coast cities.

Last month, in response to the increasing violence, Damoign Governor Jenna Duvan (N) announced the creation of a new taskforce to target gang crime in Grassadellia City. Duvan asked Damoign's senators and President Jim McCaren for federal support for the program.

Wellington Governor Wade Quanson returns to work after near-fatal aneurysm

STARSMIN, Well. -- More than two months after a near-fatal brain aneurysm, Wellington Gov. Wade Quanson has returned to work.

Quanson, 61, was speaking at an event at the state capitol building back on October 6, 2017, when he suddenly collapsed.

He was rushed to nearby Two Rivers Hospital in downtown Starksmin, and was hospitalized for almost a month.

The aneurysm was small but life-threatening. Doctors were forced to perform immediate surgery to repair the damage to a brain artery.

Immeditely, Lt. Gov. Liz McKinn (C) took over as acting-governor.

Quanson survived, however, and after weeks of rehabilitation, he returned to work this past week. He received a standing ovation from state lawmakers in the capitol building.

"Thank you, thank you all. I'm grateful to be back, grateful to be alive and grateful to get back to work for the people of Wellington," he said.

Doctors say Quanson is recovering nicely.

"His latest check looks good. We encouraged him to rest and not over-do it with his gubernatorial duties and he appears to have followed that instruction," said Dr. Abdul Khalid Darma.

"The governor owes a lot of credit to the people and the first responders at the event he was speaking at. Had they not gotten him help immediately and taken him directly to the hospital, he probably would not have survived," Dr. Nadal Caruigi said at a press conference Friday.

Quanson did scale back his public appearances since the incident, but he told the media Friday he is feeling "great" and "re-invigorated" and looking forward to getting back to normal.

"This was a little speed bump in the road for me, but I'm back to normal now, I feel great and I look forward to resuming a normal schedule."

He added that he is grateful for his "wonderful family, friends, staff, colleagues, doctors and the people of this state for supporting me and being patient with my absence."

Additionally, this week, Quanson announced he will seek re-election in 2018. He is currently serving his first term as governor.

Candidates declare for Kinoelke's vacant Senate seat

FAIRFIELD, South Ceona -- The vacant Senate seat formerly held by Vice President-elect Chris Kinoelke will be filled with a special election scheduled for February 8, 2018, South Ceona Gov. Greg Laskie announced Friday.

As governor, Laskie has the constitutionally-mandated authority to schedule by-elections, and since Kinoelke was only in the beginning of his Senate term when he was elected VP, a special by-election will be held to fill his seat.

A primary election will be held January 3, 2018, and the general election February 8.

Had Kinoelke been in the latter half of his Senate term, Laskie would have simply appointed an interim senator to fill the seat.

Candidates from both parties have already declared their candidacy.

On the Conservative side, Laskie's lieutenant governor, Jane Karsten, has announced she will run. Assemblyman Dane Rakin, who represents the Serea-area in the National Assembly, will also run. Both have been actively campaigning across the state and raising cash.

Several candidates have declared on the NAT side too, including University of South Ceona-Necadia anatomy professor Dr. Parnell Scott, former Senate candidate and social worker Elaine Tazzo of Mastwin, and Assemblywoman Leigh Ann Mayley of Stenison.

Political new-comer Mickey O'Toole, a blue-collar machinist and activist from Gallaghan, has also announced his intention to seek the open seat.

Other candidates said to be considering a run on the CNS side are Wolfson County District Attorney David Steigman and state Sen. Dan Brier of Rathclan, both of whom have unsuccessfully sought state-wide office.

Former NAT Senator Alan Thorston has ruled out a comeback bid, and Attorney General Patty Volston (N) has declined to enter the race, despite significant pressure from party leaders.

Former Governor Scott Bannich (N) has also said he will not run.

Speculation about the state's gubernatorial election, which will take place in November 2018, is also growing.

Incumbent Gov. Greg Laskie (C) has indicated he will seek re-election, but it's unclear if Bannich, his predecessor, will seek a second re-match with Laskie.

Volston is also considered a likely gubernatorial candidate, while state Sen. Chris Blair of Necadia has already announced his candidacy.

Tatum Kelly starting political career over, running for Congress in Damoign

KOKOMOKALO, Damoign -- She's remembered as the young and fiery former lieutenant governor of East Deschire who was forced out of office after a verbal tirade of insults aimed at her constituents was caught on camera.

Tatum Kelly, who briefly served as lieutenant governor of the Harvest State in 2009 until her boss and running-mate Gov. Lynn DeMont demanded her resignation, is now living in suburban Grassadellia City, and is planning a run for Congress.

Kelly confirmed her interest in running for the National Assembly in an interview with the Mavocke Capitol newspaper.

"My life in East Deschire is behind me, I have started a new life here in Damoign, I love the people of Kokomokalo, I love the energy in this community, and I have the skills and experience needed to help represent my fellow constituents in Mavocke," said Kelly, 44, who now lives in the upscale suburb of Kokomokalo, southwest of Grassadellia City.

Known for its many celebrities residents, Kokomokalo is among the most affluent communities in the nation, a place where power, glamour and money meet unabashedly.

And despite her notoriety in the political world, Kelly's fame pales compared to other residents of Kokomokalo.

The incident that sank her political career back in 2009 is still fresh in the memory of some East Deschireans.

"I remember her coming in here and calling us all 'hicks' and 'rednecks,'" Beth Barry told the Mavocke Capitol.

Barry was a local NAT party member who was in the audience when Kelly unleashed her fury on her constituents.

Kelly's rant was caught on camera, and there was no doubt her behavior would compel her boss, Gov. Lynn DeMont, to ask for her resignation.

When asked about that stunningly un-politician-like moment, Kelly says it was not reflective of her character.

"I was having a bad day that day. I was under a lot of stress, and there were some staffing issues that were going on within the governor's office, and I just didn't handle it well. I snapped. All the stress that had been building...it literally came crashing down. It was the last straw. And I said some unfortunate things, things I didn't even truly believe and things I would never have said in my right frame of mind."

After resigning, she attended anger management and anxiety classes to help reduce stress and manage her emotions.

"I decided it was time to move and get a fresh start. I needed a change, so I moved to Damoign and ended up here," she said.

Upon moving to the big city, Kelly left behind her shattered political life in the West and took jobs in Kokomokalo's burgeoning fashion and interior design scene.

"After my episode, the calls (from political friends and allies) stopped. No more invitations to speak at this luncheon, or do an interview on TV, or campaign for this person. I was politically toxic and no one wanted to associate with me. I was viewed as the young, immature blond who has anger issues," Kelly said. "So I took up fashion and design, and I love it!"

"But I see what's going on with Mavocke, with the Conservatives running the show, and I see what's going on in England with Brexit, and America with Trump, and Australia with the effort to stop gay marriage, and France with Le Pen, and I'm just enraged and appalled at what's happening. I feel like I should be doing something to help stop all these radical conservative movements from taking away our freedoms and harming our citizens," she said.

Her old boss, Lynn DeMont, would not comment for this story. But Conservatives had plenty to say about the former lieutenant governor.

"I hope she does run. She has no chance of winning. She's still black-listed in the NAT party and Conservatives would have a field day with attack ads against her," Larry Edwards, a Conservative party strategist, told the Capitol.

When asked for his thoughts about Ms. Kelly running for Assembly in Damoign, former Damoign Gov. Sid Hoffa said he didn't even know who she was.

"Who? Who are you talking about?" a confused Hoffa said during an appearance on the GBC. "I'm not sure I know who that person is that you mentioned."

While Conservatives might love the idea of a scandal-scarred NAT politician running for office again, Kelly has an uphill climb in the NAT primary alone, not to mention the general election.

"Kokomokalo is a very liberal town, there are no doubt many progressive people who would run for Assembly from Kokomokalo, so if Tatum Kelly runs, she will be one of many. And as an outsider, her opponents will cast her as a carpet-bagger. It's going to be very difficult for her to convince her fellow Nationalists to vote for her in the primary, much less in the general," said Dr. Tony Short, a political science teacher at nearby Cabry College.

Kelly says she will forge on with her campaign anyway, and if she's unsuccessful, she can go back to her design work.

"I love what I do, so if it doesn't work out, I will still be happy doing what I love."

Assemblywoman Jessica Blaine not running for re-election in 2018, moving to Roddenshire

PORT PHILLIP, Damoign -- Assemblywoman Jessica Blaine will not run for re-election in 2018, and is moving out of the electorate she has held since 2008.

Blaine, a hawkish Democratic-Reformist who often votes with Conservatives in the National Assembly, announced she was stepping down at a news conference in Mavocke, Thursday.

In addition to stepping down, she will be moving out of state to neighboring Roddenshire, where she was born and raised.

"I will not be a candidate for the seat of Corma in 2018," she announced. "After I leave Congress, I will be moving to Roddenshire. Those of you who know me know that I was born and raised in Roddenshire, and my elderly mother still lives there. I want to be closer to her as her health deteriorates."

Blaine has represented the electorate of Corma for nine years. The coastal electorate lies northeast of Grassadellia City on Cape Joyner and includes the GC suburbs of Corma, Port Phillip, Nivena and Norlasse.

Colleagues and political pundits have noted that Roddenshire Sen. Anita Ugorachin (N) is up for re-election in 2018, and some have speculated the respected assemblywoman may be moving for more than family reasons.

Chris Judson, an NAT political consultant based in Mavocke, raised the issue on the GBC's "Grace Li Show," saying Blaine may run against Ugorachin in Roddenshire, a much easier feat than running for a Senate seat in Damoign, where the state's NAT senators are popular and difficult to defeat.

"Anita Ugorachin is vulnerable. She's definitely beatable by the Conservatives, or a Democratic-Reformist like Jessica Blaine who is mostly conservative," said Judson. "If you are trying to win a seat in the Senate - and Jessica Blaine has ran for the Senate already in Damoign - would you rather run against a popular incumbent in the most expensive state to run a campaign? Or would you rather run against a vulnerable incumbent in a small state?"

Blaine denied she is planning to challenge Ugorachin in the 2018 election, saying her focus is on her family.

"This move is not politically-motivated. It's family-motivated. My mother has Alzheimer's and I want to be closer to her. That's why I'm moving, plain and simple," she said.

Blaine's seat in the National Assembly is a boon to the NAT, as Conservatives have struggled for relevance in the area in the past few election cycles. However, it's possible the CNS could field a moderate candidate that may appeal to the upper-income, educated, and socially-liberal electorate.

With the Conservative Party's backing, Blaine ran unsuccessfully for the Federal Senate in 2012. She narrowly lost to Debbie Madronas (N), taking 42% to Madronas' 44%, respectively.

Six airmen suspended at Kidd Air Force Base for sexual misconduct

CROSSLEY, Damoign -- Six airmen with the Grassadellian Royal Air Force have been suspended after alleged sexual misconduct, the Defense Department announced Monday.

The six airmen, all of whom are based at Kidd Air Force Base in Crossley, western Damoign, were suspended with pay after the Air Force Inspector General's office was alerted to an alleged non-consensual sexual encounter involving the six men and a female cadet.

The alleged incident occurred eight months ago in a barracks building on-base, where the victim says she was forced to perform sexual acts with her male peers, including oral sex and sexual intercourse.

The alleged victim says she did not consent to any of the activities. It's unclear if alcohol or drugs were involved.

Little information about those involved was released by Air Force officials, but the six men, all of whom are in their 20s and 30s, have been suspended, are not allowed contact with the alleged victim, and have been re-assigned until an internal investigation is completed.

The alleged victim is receiving counseling and has been re-assigned to another base.

Because the alleged incident occurred on-base, any potential criminal charges will be laid by the Federal Prosecutors Office instead of local authorities.

Top Air Force leaders spoke out emphatically against sexual assault and harassment in the military.

"In the Air Force, we expect all of our airmen and officers to protect and support each other at all times. We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and sexual assault. Any individual that is found to be guilty of these offenses will be dealt with swiftly and justly in the Air Force Internal Conduct System and if applicable, in the criminal justice system as well," said Gen. Andrew Pezacek, Deputy Director of the Grassadellian Royal Air Force.

Damoign governor's race uncertain after court ruling

MATTINOW, Damoign -- The 2020 election is still years away, but the political parties and potential candidates are already preparing for the forthcoming Damoign governor's race. And after a ruling by the Damoign Supreme Court on Friday, the race for governor took an unexpected turn.

The court struck down a proposed constitutional amendment to the Damoign State Constitution that passed in the 2016 election.

The proposed amendment, officially "Amendment 14," would have changed Damoign's rules surrounding elections for governor and would have allowed a governor to serve two consecutive  four-year terms instead of just one single term.

The current law limits a governor to one four-year term. A governor can serve more than one term but non-consecutively. The current law was enacted by voters back in the 1980s, after decades of corruption in the governor's office. The one-term limit was pushed as a way to curb corruption among the state's top executives.

Amendment 14 sought to extend the term limits. The argument from Amendment 14's supporters - which included former governors Rod Penora (N) and Sid Hoffa (C) - was that a mere four years is not enough time for a governor to enact real reform or a meaningful agenda.

"Four years is really very little time to get big changes done," said Penora back in 2016. "If we want real reform, if we want to make the broad, sweeping changes that we desperately need in Mattinow, then it would behoove us as citizens of our state, to give the governor more time to enact his or her agenda, and to allow the governor to shape a better agenda and allow time for that agenda to make its way through the legislature."

The Damoign legislature approved Amendment 14 in spring 2016, and in the fall 2016 election, voters affirmed that decision, with almost 56% voting in favor of Amendment 14.

But despite the legislative approval and affirmative vote from voters, by a vote of 7-2, the Damoign Supreme Court invalidated the amendment, saying the legislature must clarify the amendment adoption process before the law can take effect.

"It is not enough for the voters to affirm with a simple majority. It must be a 'broad majority' to precipitate a constitutional amendment," Charles Johnson, associate justice, wrote for the majority in the six-page opinion. "The question is, what amount constitutes a 'broad majority?' The law in its present form is vague and the legislature must clarify before Amendment 14 can be certified."

The law is unclear as to exactly what percentage of the vote a constitutional amendment must attain from voters, if the matter is put to the voters. Most amendments to Damoign's constitution have been done solely in the state legislature with no electoral input from voters.

The current law states amendments, "if they be put to the voters of Damoign, must receive a broad majority of votes in the affirmative thereof."

Some have suggested a 'broad majority' means a simple majority. Other's have said two-thirds of the vote (66%) or merely 60 percent. Opinions vary on the issue.

The matter is now remanded to the Damoign House Elections Committee and the Damoign Senate Governing Rules Committee for clarification.

In past elections and referendums, 60% has been the magic number, and a number of state senators and representatives suggested a 60% threshold would receive bipartisan support in the legislature, while at the same time invalidating Amendment 14.

"There's no question that 60% has been the ideal standard for the last 100 years, and I think Conservatives in the legislature will push that mark as the new codified standard," said state Senator Charles Andrews (C-Arnelleson).

The court's ruling puts the race for governor in limbo. Incumbent Gov. Jenna Duvan, a Nationalist, is hoping to run for a second consecutive term in 2020. She will now have to wait on the state legislature to make a decision.

The ruling throws a kink in Duvan's plans, and all the other candidates, because they don't know if Duvan will be able to run again for re-election or if she will have to step down and let someone new take her place.

For the sake of the candidates, the court asked the state legislature to make the matter of "urgent consideration."

"Certainly, it would be in the best interest of both political parties, both caucuses in the legislature, and all the prospective candidates to resolve this matter with the utmost expediency," Judge Charles Johnson wrote in his majority opinion.

Griffin Jenkins (N), the speaker of the Damoign House of Representatives, and Gerry Sianoupolous (N), the state Senate Majority Leader, said they will make sure the issue gets attention immediately.

"For the governor's sake, for the other candidates that are considering entering the race, it would be helpful if we could fix this technical issue sooner rather than later," said Speaker Jenkins.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Jenna Duvan said the governor is planning on running for re-election.

"Governor Duvan is working every day to benefit and help Damoignites, and she plans to continue her work in 2020 by running for re-election unless she is statutorily not permitted, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there," said spokeswoman Maryann Cady.

The top NAT candidate considering entering the race, should Amendment 14 be nullified and Duvan be barred from running for re-election, is former Gov. Rod Penora (N), who now serves as Attorney General, a position he held prior to his governorship from 2013-2017.

Other prospective NAT candidates include Secretary of State Rob Mercheck, Lt. Gov. Jeff Zeme, former Lt. Gov. David Armasson, Mattinow businessman John Brumley, and Assemblymen Bill Blair and Mark Ryutt.

On the Conservative, twice-unsuccessful gubernatorial nominee Mercer Diego has ruled out a third run.

Former Gov. Sid Hoffa is considered the leading Conservative candidate. Hoffa served as governor from 2009-2013.

Other CNS candidates include Assemblyman John DeGallio and Assemblywoman Pat Leemore.

Grassadellia City Mayor Kellan Kastol, an Independent, is also said to be considering running for governor, though the mayor has maintained his focus is on local issues, not state politics.

Marchenay governor signs anti-conversion therapy bill into law

NEWCASTLE, March. -- Children in Marchenay will no longer be able to receive conversion therapy, after Governor David Brown signed a bill banning the controversial practice Friday.

Conversion therapy is a form of mental health counseling that seeks to change a person's sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual. It's often encouraged and practiced by conservative religious groups, including Evangelical Christians, Jewish and Muslim groups, who view homosexuality as a sin and inconsistent with their respective doctrines.

Brown, a Conservative, said he normally does not like to inject himself into religious debates, but the issue of young people being harmed by counselors who promise to change the client's sexual orientation is too important to ignore.

"A person does not choose their sexual orientation. It's not simply a bad habit that can be changed or minimized, like alcoholism and drug abuse. People should be encouraged to live their true identities, and too many young people have taken their lives or attempted to because they were promised they could change when they simply cannot, and should not," said Brown.

The law received broad support from both major political parties. It was co-sponsored by openly gay state Delegate Scott Morrison (N-Farmerton) and state Senator Mike Grimsby (C-Weld), whose teenage son is gay.

Christian groups, along with Jewish and Muslim groups, were quick to criticize the bill's passage.

"Young people, especially teenagers who are just setting out on the long path of their sexual and relational journeys, if they so choose, should have the right, just like anyone else, to seek counseling from legitimate, licensed mental health professionals who choose to offer caring and compassionate therapy in a safe environment," said the Grassadellian Association of Christian Counselors, in a written statement following the bill's signing.

The Jewish Safe Harbor Foundation issued a joint statement with the Muslim non-profit A New Way Forward, with both organizations saying the law harms people of faith who want to change their sexual orientation.

"Just as the government should not compel people to be heterosexual, the government should also not compel people to be homosexual. That's effectively what this legislation does. It takes away the legally-protected right of young adults to find help and healing in their sexuality," the statement said.

Joel Baaken, an attorney with the Religious Liberty Foundation, a non-profit Christian legal group that defends churches and religious groups in legal matters, assailed the new law as an infringement on freedom of choice and freedom of speech.

"This law is basically telling people, 'the government disagrees with your opinion, the government is wading into the scientific and psychological debate surrounding sexuality and religion and the government disagrees with this line of thinking, so you can't obtain any counseling, even if it's voluntary.' That's a very scary place for our country to be in right now," said Baaken.

Meanwhile, the arguments from the other side were equally emotional.

"My teenage son wanted to kill himself because he couldn't reconcile his sexuality with our family's Christian faith," said state Senator Mike Grimsby, the leading Conservative who co-sponsored the bill. "When he finally told my wife and me he had secretly been receiving conversion therapy and it hadn't worked, it broke our hearts that he was trying to change who he was born to be."

Grimsby's son ended up embracing his sexuality, and his family was supportive, but "the damage was done," the senator said.

Scott Morrison, the NAT state delegate who co-sponsored the legislation, said he tried conversion therapy as a youth and remembered sobbing every night wishing he could change, as he was promised he could by his conservative Christian counselors.

"The emotional agony of trying to change your sexuality cannot be overstated. You live every day trying to change to become straight. You think, 'if I just pray hard enough, if I just read my Bible enough, if I surround myself with enough Christian friends, maybe I'll become straight.' But it doesn't work because it's not credible science, and so many young people become suicidal trying to change something that doesn't need changing," said Morrison.

The Grassadellia Association of Mental Health Professionals or GAMHP, lobbied in favor of the bill. The group has long been critical of conversion therapy, striking it from its manual of practices back in the early 1990s.

"The GAMHP believes strongly that conversion therapy is not rooted in science, is not effective, and is in fact harmful to patients," said the group's president, Dr. Mark Gregory.

The Grassadellian Human Rights Watch and The Love Campaign, two leading gay rights groups, praised the new law and lauded Gov. David Brown for supporting it.

Meanwhile, the Conservative Party's Evangelical members are deciding whether to challenge Brown in a primary election next year. Brown is up for re-election in 2018 in a state that leans to the centre-left NAT Party.

Melayna Lewis: 'We'll get 'em next time!'

NAT candidate hints at future run

SHANOGOWEE, Remm. – She lost a close race for the Senate, but dispatched NAT candidate Melayna Lewis hinted she’ll be back.

After conceding defeat to her Conservative opponent, Assemblywoman Shaylene McCullough, Ms. Lewis, a state representative from Shanogowee in southeast Remmington, tweeted “We’ll get ‘em next time!”, hinting she may be running for office again in the near future.

The curious tweet raised eyebrows, and left many speculating Ms. Lewis will challenge McCullough again in 2018, when Ms. McCullough will have to run for re-election to a full six-year term.

Sources in the national NAT party leadership say party elders are hopeful Lewis will run again in 2018.

“She’s our best shot at this point. She came very close, and with more money the next time around, NAT senators are hopeful we can get her elected,” said an aide to NAT Senate leadership, who asked not to be named because they weren’t permitted to speak to the media.

Lewis has said she will return to being a state representative for her district in Shanogowee, but refused to elaborate on her future plans.

McCullough wins Senate by-election, is first woman elected from Remmington

Conservatives retain seat in closely-watched race

 

REMMINGTON CITY, Remm. – History was made in Remmington Saturday night, as voters elected a woman to the Federal Senate for the first time in state history.

 

Shaylene McCullough (C), an assemblywoman from the Remmington City-based electorate of Benham, edged out a win over NAT candidate Melayna Lewis of Shanogowee.

Remmington Secretary of State Kimberly Welch reported McCullough taking 51% of the vote to Lewis' 49%, or 729,015 votes to 694,034, respectively.

Welch estimated turn out to be around 45%, much lower than during a normal election, which is typical for by-elections.

 

The two women had faced off in June against businessman and Democratic-Reformist candidate Jude Weimer, who finished last in what was originally a three-way race.

 

In accordance with Remmington law, the top two candidates advanced to a run-off election.

With control of the Senate almost evenly divided between the CNS and the NAT, both parties poured money and resources into the historic race.

During the campaign, McCullough, 48, cast herself as a reliable Conservative vote who would counter the liberal policies of the NAT’s new Senate Majority Leader, Damoign’s Debbie Madronas.

“The Nationalists have a majority in the Senate, and you and I both know with Debbie Madronas at the helm, with her in charge, we are in for a radically, far-leftist agenda,” said McCullough at a rally with the right-wing Bikers for the Constitution group in east Remmington City.

“I am the Conservative version of Debbie Madronas,” McCullough told the Remmington Star last month. “I’m a fiercely conservative woman, I’m a mom, a wife, a member of my church, I own a gun, I believe in the Constitution, I believe Grassadellia should have a strong military and be a world power that leads the world.”

Melayna Lewis, 42, intentionally steered clear of Debbie Madronas and the National NAT party, who both are unpopular in red-state Remmington.

A native of the city of Shanogowee in the southeast corner of the state, Ms. Lewis, a state representative, sought to highlight her conservative credentials while also drawing attention to pillar NAT issues, such as health care, education and pension reform.

“The problem with our politics in this country right now is you are demonized if you work with the other party. Compromise is seen as a weakness, not a strength. If you work with a senator from the opposing party, you are viewed as a traitor, as inauthentic, when in reality, compromise is exactly what we need,” she said in a campaign stop in rural Werlop County east of Remmington City.

“I’m a mom too, and I try to teach my kids that compromise and working together are fundamental to a strong family. We’ve lost that ideal in Mavocke,” said Lewis.

While they held many differences, there was common ground between the two candidates.

Both want to see a larger military with more recruiting and funding, both said they would fight to protect Demming Air Force Base in the north-central part of the state. And both said they want to see environmental restrictions by the federal government rolled back and more autonomy given to the states.

Though they had the eyes of the nation on them, neither candidate attacked each other personally, and campaign advertisements were largely positive. At a televised debate in Remmington City, both women shook hands and talked about their families.

“We’re both moms, we’re both wives, we’re both just normal everyday women who care about our country,” said Ms. McCullough.

She added that she would like to work with her rival in the future.

“If she were to get elected to the National Assembly, I would very much love to work with Melayna. She is a bright, articulate woman and we need more of those in Mavocke,” said McCullough.

Indeed, after conceding the race to McCullough, Ms. Lewis tweeted “We’ll get ‘em next time!”, hinting that she may run for office in the future.

Remmington Governor Jared Lanman, who held the Senate seat that will be held by McCullough, tweeted his congratulations to the senator-elect.

“Congratulations to my friend and colleague, @ShayleneMcCullough, for her historic win tonight!”

Lanman followed up with a second tweet, saying “We need more freedom warriors in the Senate!”

Several female Conservative senators also offered their congratulations.

“Delighted to see @ShayleneMcCullough elected in Remmington tonight. Looking forward to working with her,” said Veroche Sen. Kit McHenry.

Monomi Sen. Cathy De Beers also offered praise, saying McCullough will be a “strong Conservative voice for Remmington and all Grassadellians.”

Anger builds as allegations of racism, sexism among NAT senators become public

Scandal overshadows party's historic moment

MAVOCKE – The Nationalist Party (NAT) started the week with celebration as their party’s senators chose a female majority leader for the first time in Grassadellian parliamentary history.

But the celebration quickly faded when allegations of racism and sexism among the party’s senators were leaked to the media.

On Monday, the 46 NAT senators held a closed-door meeting to select their leader. Holding a closed-door meeting for members-only is standard procedure for both parties, which they traditionally do at the beginning of each new legislative term following an election.

The meeting was chaired by Interim Majority Leader Nadan Saralo (Wellington). The senators discussed their agenda for the 2017-2018 term and then heard nominations for the Senate’s most powerful position, Majority Leader.

When former Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (N-Lial) lost his bid for re-election in a close race in the 2016 general election, it left the NAT without a leader. Mr. Saralo, then-Assistant Majority Leader, took over as interim leader until the party could choose a replacement.Seven members, including two women, were nominated for the top post: Jean Chaveau and Debbie Madronas (both from Damoign), Joseph Milhaughley (Mar.), John Yannes (Ona.), Aaron Tobias Griffith (Ver.), Thomas O’Hearn (Wilk.), and Nadan Saralo (Well.)

No one but the members know exactly what happened inside the voting room, since no one else was permitted in the room at the time of the nomination process.

But two NAT senators – both who asked to remain anonymous because they fear reprisal from their colleagues – went to the media following the voting, and they had disturbing accounts of the voting process.

According to the two nameless senators, some of their fellow NAT colleagues reportedly refused to vote for Ms. Madronas and the other female candidate, Jean Chaveau, because they were women.

“There were some male members who point-blank said they would not vote for Debbie Madronas or Jean Chaveau because they don’t believe the majority leader position should be held by a woman. They think the majority leader should be a man. They had reservations about the two female candidates being ‘strong enough’ and ‘tough enough’ for the job,” said the one NAT senator, who added that he was “shocked” and “disgusted” that his colleagues would openly make such misogynistic comments.

And some of those same senators who opposed the female candidates said they didn’t want to vote for Mr. Saralo because he was not White.

“There were a couple members who said they didn’t want Nadan (pronounced “Nuh-Dawn”) to be leader because he’s not white, he’s Middle Eastern and they felt having a Middle Easterner leading the party would be a turn-off to voters. They wanted a Caucasian majority leader, they thought a Caucasian majority leader would be more accepted by the public,” said the other senator.

“I couldn’t believe my ears. This is not something I would expect to hear from Nationalist politicians. Conservatives, maybe. But this is not reflective of the Nationalist Party in 2017. We just don’t believe in the old gentlemen’s club where women have their place and minorities are barred from advancing. This is straight out of the 1950s,” said the same member, also a male.

The allegations, which were first reported by Capitol Hill correspondent Eric Mulven of the Mavocke Capitol newspaper, spread quickly in the traditional media outlets and online through social media.

The topic blew up on Facebook and Twitter, and reporters doggedly pelted NAT leaders with questions about the voting process and the alleged racist and sexist undertones from the unnamed members.

Asked about the matter, newly-selected Majority Leader Debbie Madronas said she believed the process was fair and did not believe racism or sexism played into the vote results.

“Right now, these are anonymous allegations. No names have been mentioned. It’s just hearsay at this point,” Ms. Madronas said in a Wednesday afternoon press appearance.

“Of course, I am deeply troubled by these allegations. If it’s true that some of our members were not voting for a candidate because of their gender or their race, that is extremely disturbing and completely unacceptable. But right now, these are just that: anonymous, unattributed allegations. There is no evidence at this time that this leadership vote was tainted by racism or sexism,” Madronas said.

She added that if evidence does turn up that members “said or expressed racist or sexist sentiment, I will take the necessary action and make sure it is dealt with appropriately and thoroughly.”

“I want to make it clear that the Nationalist Party is the party of diversity, of equality between genders and ethnic groups. One of our core tenets is diversity and inclusion, and if any member of the Nationalist Party expressed this kind of bigotry, whether it was serious or in a joking context, whether in public or private, it is completely unacceptable and we repudiate it and the members will be held to account to the party for their actions if evidence emerges,” she said.

Mr. Saralo, whose defeat surprised many colleagues and pundits, refused to say if he felt racist feelings may have caused some of his colleagues to vote against him.

“I think the vote has taken place, the members have spoken, they chose Debbie as their leader, and it’s time to move on. I think the men and women who comprise the NAT Senate caucus are incredible people and are incredibly accepting, good-hearted people who reject racism and misogyny.”Saralo added that “there’s always a little drama every time the senators vote for a new majority or minority leader. There’s always internal drama among the ranks, I don’t think it’s really a newsworthy story.”

Meanwhile, despite playing it cool in public and casting doubt on the accusations, NAT sources close to the situation say Mr. Saralo does believe some members voted against him because of his ethnicity. And Debbie Madronas is said to be privately furious, both at the nature of the allegations and also at the leaks to the press about the party’s hidden drama.

“When she spoke to the press, she was very calm, she acted like these allegations are just hearsay, gossip, drama drummed up by the media. But behind closed doors, she was livid and demanding to know who leaked this information and if the allegations were true,” said an NAT Senate staff member, who works closely with the majority leader’s staff.

Madronas, age 55, is an ardent feminist, and she has championed pro-women causes since the inception of her political career 25 years ago. She was the first female senator elected from the state of Damoign, and is one of the most influential senators in the chamber, having been so even before her promotion to majority leader.

She’s said to abhor misogyny, and has spoken publicly in the past about male politicians, even from her own party, treating her disdainfully, telling her to wear a skirt instead of pants, making sexual comments, and excluding her from key negotiations because she was a woman.

“I’ve had male congressmen just smile at me and tell me it’s a “gentlemen only” meeting and close the door in my face when I’ve tried to walk in to committee hearings. One male colleague touched my leg inappropriately. I’ve had male colleagues tell me I’m just a pretty face to make the party more appealing to women. I’ve seen this kind of rampant sexism in the world of politics first-hand, and I’m determined to eradicate it,” she said in a 1997 appearance on the Steve Quinn television show.

While the majority of the NAT’s lawmakers are progressive and forward-thinking on race and gender, there are some members, particularly those from conservative and rural states, who tend to be more traditional in their views and their voting records. But political positions and viewpoints do not make a member guilty of sexism or racism.

It’s unclear which specific senators made the alleged comments, but many Nationalists want the witch-hunt to end.

“We don’t want to point the finger at certain members and tar and feather them without any evidence,” said Madronas’ chief of staff, Josh Lindaugh. “So we are going to leave the matter where it is right now, reiterate that this kind of behavior and dialogue is not acceptable in the Nationalist Party and is repudiated and rejected in the most serious of terms, and we will move on to the important task of governing.”

Lindaugh added that NAT leaders would address the issue if more evidence emerges.

“Of course we are investigating it thoroughly, we don’t want even a hint of racism or sexism in our party,” he said.

The Conservative Party reacted to the scandal with mixed commentary.

Newly-elected Senate Minority Leader Jon Ralston (C-Ansleigha) issued a statement saying “regardless of party, this kind of sexist and racist conduct should not be tolerated in the Senate.”

“If these allegations are true,” Mr. Ralston said, “They should be condemned in the strongest of terms and the guilty parties should apologize and come forward and renounce their behavior and let us move past this.”

Ralston added that the alleged conduct is “beneath the decorum of the position we all hold.”

He also got a jab in about the apparent hypocrisy of the NAT Party.

“I hope the Nationalists condemn this sexism and racism as much and as forcefully as they condemn so-called ‘sexist and racist’ comments from Conservatives,” he said.

The senator elaborated, saying the NAT has “crucified” Conservative politicians for similar comments and behaviors.

“Let’s hope their indignation is equal when it involves their own members,” he quipped.

Conservative female senators also responded, expressing solidarity with their NAT female colleagues.

“We’ve all battled sexism in politics, & that’s why we continue today (both parties) to fight these kinds of attitudes that limit & disrespect women,” tweeted Kalnier Senator Shannon McCann, who was serving as Interim Minority Leader for the Conservatives, until Mr. Ralston was voted into the top spot.

The National Women's Coalition called the alleged behavior "indefensible," while the Arab League of Grassadellia said it as "deeply concerned xenophobia has infiltrated the highest ranks of the NAT party."

Majority Leader Madronas said she would address the issue in a special press conference later this week.

Third-party candidate threatens Conservatives' edge in Remmington Senate race

Democratic-Reformist candidate will siphon vote from Conservative, experts say

REMMINGTON CITY, Remm. – It should be an easy win for the Conservative party. A popular Conservative candidate running for a vacant Senate seat in perhaps the most conservative state in the country, facing a little-known NAT opponent.

When Senator Jared Lanman was elected governor in the 2016 general election during the middle of his Senate term, CNS leaders figured a special election to determine his replacement in the Senate would be a cake-walk for the Conservatives. But that was before Democratic-Reformist businessman Jude Weimer joined the race, turning a head-to-head match-up between the two major parties into an unpredictable three-way race.

The special election is less than two weeks away, and what should be an easy win for Conservatives is quickly turning into a panic attack.

Assemblywoman Shaylene McCullough, who represents the Remmington City-based electorate of Benham, is the Conservative torch-bearer. She beat back the better-known but more moderate Pierce Paeley, a former secretary of state, in the primary election.

On the NAT side, state Representative Melayna Lewis of Redmand clinched her party’s nomination, defeating three-time unsuccessful Senate candidate and former Iraq War veteran James Kensen of Winston.

Popular former Senator Matt Hoffbourn considered entering the race but declined, despite entreaties from top NAT officials.

With two women heading the two parties’ tickets, it appeared Remmington was poised to elect its first female senator in history. But at the last second before the filing deadline, Jude Weimer, a prominent businessman in Remmington City’s growing telecom industry, threw his hat into the ring.

Weimer has ran before for the Senate before, also as a Democratic-Reformist. In 2010, he narrowly lost another three-way race between he, then-incumbent James Owen-Wilson (N) and Conservative Mark Eisinger.

Weimer took 32% of the vote, impressive for a novice, third-party candidate, but Eisinger and Owen-Wilson advanced to the run-off election, where Eisinger ultimately prevailed.

So seven years later, Mr. Weimer finds himself back in politics. He passed on subsequent runs for the Senate, and he considered a run for governor in 2012 and 2016 but sat out each. Now is the right time for a third-party candidate, he told the Remmington Star.

“Right now in the Federal Senate, you have both parties with almost the same number of Senators. They’re evenly split. You’ve got about 45 career politicians in the Conservative party, and 45 career politicians in the Nationalist party. The people are yearning for someone who is not a career politician, not beholden to the two political parties, not beholden to special interest groups,” Mr. Weimer said, analyzing the political climate.

“I’m someone who has proven my independence time and time again, and I will stand up for the people of Remmington as an independent voice. I won’t be beholden to Jon Ralston (Senate Conservative leader) or Debbie Madronas (Senate NAT leader). I will answer to the people of Remmington and only the people of Remmington,” he said.

Conservatives don’t see it the same way, of course.

The McCullough campaign says Weimer, who used to be a Conservative before switching to the DR party, will siphon votes from voters who would otherwise vote for her.

“With Jude Weimer running, the conservative majority will split the vote. Some conservative voters will for Shaylene, some will vote for Weimer and Melayna Lewis will come out on top with the most votes,” said a McCullough campaign surrogate, who requested anonymity discussing the campaign’s concerns.

A source with the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee, the CNS campaign arm that funds candidates for the Senate, told the political blogger Zach Andrieu that the party is bracing for a loss in Remmington.

“A few months ago, we thought Jared Lanman’s seat would firmly stay in the Conservative column. Now, we’ll be lucky if we can hang on to it,” said the source, who also requested anonymity discussing the inner-conversations of the party leadership.

The panic among Conservatives may be premature, however.

Remmington state law requires a candidate to attain 50% plus one of the vote in order to be elected.

Most polls show Melayna Lewis leading the three-way race with roughly 40%, followed by McCullough with 35%-38%, and Weimer trailing with about 25 percent.

If those predictions hold true, and Weimer finishes last while Lewis wins a plurality but falls short of a majority, Ms. Lewis and Ms. McCullough would advance to a run-off race between the two of them.

With Weimer in the race, it could essentially just be adding a second round to the voting process. Whittling down from three candidates to two.

In fact, the most recent poll numbers from the race, which is garnering nation-wide attention as the two parties fight for a majority in the Federal Senate, show Lewis leading, followed closely behind by McCullough, and Weimer in a distant third.

The poll, commissioned by the Remmington-based Ace & Watkins polling firm, shows Lewis taking 41%, McCullough with 38% and Weimer with 21%, respectively. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 points.

 The Lewis campaign declined to comment for this story, but campaign spokesman Josh Hemming did tell Grassadellian Public Radio (GPR) that Jude Weimer’s entry into the race “presented new dynamics,” but he insisted Ms. Lewis is glad to have a second opponent, believing “the more voices being heard in the debate, the better quality of a discussion we will have,” said Mr. Hemming.

Both parties have spent millions on the race, and Mr. Weimer has a vast personal fortune he can tap for campaign funds.

But Remmington’s media markets are relatively cheap for advertising, and while it will be an expensive race, the final price tag will fall far shorter than expensive races during the general election 2016 season.