Remmington Conservatives in disarray after dual scandals rock party leadership

REMMINGTON CITY -- Just days after he confirmed an extramarital affair, Remmington Governor Jared Lanman is now facing a new crisis: an intensifying conflict with his lieutenant governor.

In an interview with local media today, Lt. Gov. Raquel Marquez stopped short of calling on Lanman to resign, but she did suggest that Lanman may not be the best candidate in the upcoming 2022 gubernatorial election.

"That's not for me to decide, that's his decision," Marquez said, when asked if Lanman should resign in the wake of his admitted infidelity.

"But I have to say, it's pretty hard to lead the state when you can't even keep your own personal life together," Marquez said.

During a hastily-called press conference Monday morning, Lanman, a former federal senator and governor since 2016, confirmed rumors that he had been unfaithful in his marriage.

The allegations first emerged last month from Rachel Wise, an author and feminist who threatened to expose cheating male politicians in the coming months.

Wise told radio host Demetri Evans she had "documented proof" that Lanman was having an affair.

Forced to respond to the allegations, Lanman came clean during a press conference.

"While not everything Rachel Wise said about me is true, it is true that I have engaged in an extramarital affair. I have not been faithful to my wife Hannah, and for that, I am so very, deeply sorry. I have hurt her and caused her and my children immense pain. That pain has spread to my parents, my siblings, my staff, my friends, my colleagues. I have let them all down, and most importantly, I have let myself down. These are not my values. I broke the values I was raised with, and now I am attempting to put the pieces back together with my family."

"I respectfully ask for privacy during this time," he added.

Responding to a barrage of questions from reporters, Lanman, who is the eldest son of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Dick Lanman, said the affair was over and he is attempting to salvage his marriage.

"I haven't spoken to this person or had any contact with them in a few months. My focus is on my wife and my kids and how we can best move forward as a family."

The woman with whom Lanman had the affair has not been identified.

Rachel Wise said the woman asked for anonymity, but will come forward when she feels safe to do so.

"I can tell you she's struggling with the media attention, with the guilt, with the public shaming, it's not easy to come out and admit this very personal aspect of her life," said Wise.

Wise did confirm, however, that the woman was not on Lanman's campaign staff, and did not work for the governor in any capacity.

Lanman confirmed that detail, saying he met the unidentified woman outside of his work responsibilities.

"It was a mistake, it was poor judgment, and it's over. I'm moving on and I know she is too," he said.

As the governor grapples with the fall-out over his personal life, his relationship with Lt. Gov. Raquel Marquez continues to deteriorate. 

The two Conservative politicians had already clashed in the past over immigration. Lanman has taken a hard-line approach, signing bills that restrict services on immigrants and enforce strict policies on undocumented immigrants.

Meanwhile, Marquez, who is of Mexican descent, has sought a more mainstream tone on immigration.

She's also taken issue with Lanman's COVID-19 policies. While Marquez did oppose mask mandates like Lanman, she wanted more limits on large gatherings, more testing, and she opposed pro-gun rallies at the state capitol by far-right conservative protesters, while Lanman was generally sympathetic to them.

Marquez herself has run into controversy.

Nine high-ranking staff members from her office have either resigned or been fired in the last six months. She's had a revolving door of staff, with many of her former aides calling her "abusive" and saying she led a "toxic environment," in written complaints.

At least seven of those former staff members are now suing Marquez alleging a hostile work environment, harassment, and retaliation.

Marquez denies the accusations, saying the complainants are disgruntled and weren't performing up to par.

"There have been some staffing and personnel issues in my office, which I can't comment on directly, but I can say that there are many employees in my office who have worked there for years and years and are still here. Unfortunately, some people can't handle the chain of command or the demands and rigors of working in our office. It's not for everyone," she said.

Marquez has been known to have outbursts in the state legislature, when serving as a state representative and senator.

Her violent temper is well-known throughout the state capitol campus, her former colleague state Sen. Kevin Fischer (C-Galliston) told local reporters.

"I'm, unfortunately, not surprised by these allegations against Raquel. I've worked with her on committees and in the state Senate, I've worked with her as lieutenant governor, and I have seen her anger, when it rises up, it tends to explode. So it's unfortunate," Fischer said.

In response to Fischer's comments, Marquez said she is "guilty of being a strong-willed Latina woman," but that's it.

"Do I lose my temper sometimes? Yes. Do I get angry? Yes. Like everyone else, yes, I do get that way sometimes. But it's only because I expect a lot out of people, especially when it comes to doing the work of the taxpayers and the good people of Remmington. I have a high bar for that and when people don't reach that bar, sometimes, yes, I do get angry."

With Lanman's scandal, and Marquez's legal problems, some Conservatives are now openly wondering if their party should nominate another candidate for the 2022 gubernatorial election in December.

Lanman is running for re-election, and up until Monday's acknowledgement of infidelity, he was favored to win re-election easily.

But now his future is in doubt, and Marquez, who would be Lanman's natural successor, is also on shaky ground, electorally.

Some Conservatives are hoping another high-profile candidate will jump into the race for governor.

Possible names being thrown out include Sen. Curt Blaisek, former Gov. Jen Stevens, Attorney General Andy Kirkpatrick, or Secretary of State Kimberly Welch.

None of the four proposed alternative candidates have expressed any interest in running, but this week's developments in the governor's mansion could change calculations.

While the Lawman-Marquez turmoil is certainly a benefit to the state Nationalist party, the NAT has its own primary election to navigate.

Multiple candidates have expressed interest in running for governor, including former Remmington City Mayor Graham Alton, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2012 and Federal Senate in 2018.

Former Sen. Matt Hoffbourn is also mulling a run, as are Shanogowee businessman Dale Lucie, and state Sen. Jim Weatherby also of Shanogowee.

Even famous late-night comedian Mark Moreno, who lives in Trieton, is rumored to be considering a run for governor in his home state of Remmington, though it's unclear if Moreno would meet residency requirements.

In the meantime, the bipartisan Remmington State Ethics Commission has begun investigations into both Jared Lanman and Raquel Marquez.

The results of those investigations will be released at the time of their completion.

In dig at Gruenwalder, former gov Bartholomew says he's not a 'North Face environmentalist'

BROOKINGS -- Women in politics are used to having their fashion styles and clothing wardrobes criticized.

It's less common for male candidates to face such scrutiny, but Tuesday afternoon, men's jackets and sweater vests were the center of controversy in the Biereland governor's race.

NAT gubernatorial candidate Joel Gruenwalder is known for being an avid outdoorsman. 

His Instagram account is chock full of pictures of he and his family hiking, kayaking, biking and skiing in Biereland's vast wilderness. 

Gruenwalder frequently shows up to campaign events wearing expensive outdoor brands like The North Face, Columbia, Eddie Bauer, and Patagonia.

And those brands say a lot, according to Gruenwalder's rival, former Gov. San Bartholomew.

"There are some people who are only environmentalists on social media. They post pictures of their luxury ski trips in $800 per night AirBnB's, they post pictures of their brand new Subaru or their Land Rover, they walk around wearing expensive L.L. Bean and Columbia jackets...they look like an environmentalist and sound like one, but what have they really done to protect the planet?" Bartholomew told reporters at a Tuesday afternoon press event in Brookings.

Bartholomew didn't specifically refer to Joel Gruenwalder in his comments, but Gruenwalder was criticized earlier this year when he posted pictures of a family ski trip at an expensive ski chalet that AirBnB's website listed for $829 per night.

In one picture, he is seen driving a large SUV, which climate activists noted was counter to his campaign pledge to champion electric vehicles. 

Critics said Gruenwalder's lavish family vacation was evidence that he is out-of-touch with working-class Bierelanders.

"People like that are what I call North Face environmentalists. They're affluent and they live in their cozy upscale suburban neighborhoods. But they're not true activists, they're not out in the trenches every day fighting big oil or big mining, they're just in it for likes on Instagram," said Bartholomew, who again, avoided directly calling out Gruenwalder by name.

Bartholomew's comments come as the race for governor heats up.

Gruenwalder, the CEO of EverTree, a forest advocacy organization, is tied in recent polls with Bartholomew, the former governor who made protecting the environment a hallmark of his administration.

Bartholomew is seeking a rematch with Conservative incumbent Gov. Ben Jordan, who defeated Bartholomew back in 2014.

The former NAT governor is the more left-wing candidate in the race, while Gruenwalder has framed himself as a centrist.

Both men are hoping to replace Jordan, who is running for an historic third consecutive term.

In response to Bartholomew's dig, Gruenwalder took to social media to defend his environmental credentials.

"I work for a non-profit organization that literally protects forests. Nature has always been a part of my life and my family's lives. For someone to insinuate that I'm not a 'real environmentalist' because I wear a Columbia jacket or because I drive a certain kind of car is just laughable," said Gruenwalder in a video posted on his campaign's social media accounts.

Whichever candidate wins on the NAT side, it will likely be an uphill climb. Biereland is a conservative state and polls show Conservatives are favored to win the December 2022 elections later this year.

In Biereland's gubernatorial race, polls have shown Jordan comfortably ahead of Bartholomew but only slightly leading Gruenwalder. 

Joseph Milhaughly: 'Russia's standing in the world will diminish exponentially' if it invades Ukraine

 MAVOCKE -- If Russia invades Ukraine, as is widely expected by military analysts, it will be "extraordinarily bad PR" for Russia, Grassadellia's top diplomat said Monday in a speech.

Secretary of State Joseph Milhaughly was speaking at the World Forum conference in Mavocke, Monday afternoon. The conference was attended by about 4,000 people from all over the world, most from journalistic, academic, or business backgrounds.

The secretary was asked what he expected would happen if Russia invades Ukraine.

"If Russia invades Ukraine, there is no doubt in my mind that Russia's standing in the world will diminish exponentially," said Milhaughly.

"Right now, Russia is an adversarial country, they often engage in provocation and menacing other countries, but Russia is still respected by the international community. There is a quiet respect for Russia."

"If Russia were to invade Ukraine, however, the international community will lose what little respect they have for Russia." 

"Russia will no longer be a major world power, it will be seen by other countries as simply a vast imperialist actor whose imperialism cannot be sustained in the long-term," said Milhaughly.

Immediately upon news of Milhaughly's comments, Russian ambassador to Grassadellia Alexander Khoroskovsky filed an official complaint with the Grassadellian State Department and with Collester.

"Russia's legitimate concerns in Ukraine and elsewhere in the world are not 'imperialism,' but part of broader security risks to the Russian federation," Khoroskovsky said in a written statement.

"For Joseph Milhaughly to suggest Russia is engaging in imperialism, and for him to make such offensive comments about the Russian motherland is inaccurate, insulting, and beneath the dignity of his office," the statement said.

Collester Press Secretary Jayna Elatekin responded late Monday afternoon on her official Twitter account, posting that President Jim McCaren views Russia's potential invasion of Ukraine as an act of imperialism.

"Invading another country to expand your country's influence and control is, in fact, an act of imperialism."

Elatekin's Twitter post seemed to back up Milaughly's comments at the World Forum conference earlier in the day.

Milhaughly's comments come on the heels of President Jim McCaren's criticism of Russia last week.

On Friday, upon his presidential plane landing in Grassadellia City, McCaren briefly chatted with reporters on the tarmac. 

When asked about Russia's possible impending invasion of Ukraine, McCaren warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that "the world is watching Russia," and that "serious, severe consequences" would be imposed on Russia "by a united front of Western nations" if Ukraine's sovereignty is violated.

Said McCaren: "This isn't a game. This is the real world. And the whole world is watching Russia. The world will not stand by and let Ukraine's sovereignty be violated. There will be serious, severe consequences for an invasion."

Pressed for specific consequences by reporters, McCaren responded that "all options are on the table," but most likely Russian banks, companies, and citizens would have their assets in Grassadellia -- which total billions of dollars -- frozen.

"I don't know yet exactly what will happen if Russia goes through with an invasion, but I can tell you it will make life a whole lot harder for Vladimir Putin, the Russian government, Russian companies, Russian oligarchs. It won't be pleasant," said McCaren.

Centrist NAT governors ask McCaren to lift COVID-19 restrictions and 'return to normal'

CHRISTEN--KERR, EDS -- Two NAT governors have sent a letter to President Jim McCaren, asking him to end COVID-19 restrictions and expedite a "return to normal."

Val Hennemott and Brett Ratenzy, governors of East Deschire and South Ceona, respectively, not only sent a formal letter to McCaren asking for an end to mask mandates and shut-downs, they have also publicly called on the president to do so.

"We are respectfully asking President McCaren to end the shut-downs, end the mask mandates, re-open schools and public domains, allow concerts and sporting events, and return to normal," Ratenzy said Saturday in a speech at the South Ceona Primrose Society's annual ball.

In a radio interview with K-LIVE, a Hansboro radio station, Hennemott had similar comments.

"We are asking the McCaren Administration to please focus on getting our country back to normal," Hennemott said.

When pressed by radio host George Coleman what exactly 'back to normal' means, Hennemott gave specifics.

"It means ending mask mandates for schools, ending mandates for government workers, it means re-opening our public parks, allowing football games and concerts again, it means improving the supply chain and getting manufacturing back to normal levels. It's all of those things," said Hennemott.

The governors' stance is a sharp turnaround from earlier in the pandemic.

When COVID-19 first struck, Hennemott and Ratenzy both issued widespread shut-downs, limited large gatherings, forced schools to go remote in urban areas, and mandated the use of masks in public places, as well as mask mandates for government employees.

Both governors imposed vaccine mandates on state employees too.

The two leaders, who are both moderates and have a history of working together, faced fierce opposition from Conservatives in both states.

The appeals to President McCaren come as both incumbents are seeking to shore up their political standing amid difficult re-election prospects. Polls have shown Hennemott and Ratenzy both either tied with leading Conservative candidates or trailing them.

And Conservative critics seized on Hennemott and Ratenzy's sudden change of heart on pandemic politics.

"It's funny how Val Hennemott was all about masks and mandates early on in the pandemic, and even as recently as a few months ago," said Curtis Bartlett, a Conservative state representative from southwestern Lewaina County.

"All of a sudden, when the polls show her tanking and likely to lose re-election, she changes her tune. Now masks are bad. Now mandates are bad. Now she wants large gatherings again and school kids to go mask-less."

"It's funny how poll numbers drastically change her stance on the pandemic issues," said Bartlett.

Ratenzy faced similar criticism in neighboring South Ceona.

Conservative Senator and gubernatorial candidate Mike Lembcke's campaign released a stinging written statement hitting Ratenzy for flip-flopping.

"Liberal Nationalist governors like Brett Ratenzy didn't have a problem imposing draconian mask mandates, vaccine requirements, and outlandish shut-downs on the South Ceona economy when COVID-19 started. But now that his poll numbers have taken a nose-dive, Brett Ratenzy and other NAT politicians like him have suddenly changed course and are now calling for a return to normal. Is it follow the science? Or follow the poll numbers?" the statement said.

Ratenzy and Hennemott hit back at their Conservative critics, though.

The pandemic has "evolved," Ratenzy said.

"What worked at the start of the pandemic doesn't necessarily work now. What was needed at the beginning of the pandemic isn't necessarily helping now. This pandemic has changed, the situation has changed, and therefore our approach has to change. That's not flip-flopping, that's just being a good leader who changes course with the changing conditions," Ratenzy said in a press conference Monday morning.

Hennemott also responded to her critics with her well-known pragmatism.

"There's a time for masks and going virtual with schools and canceling events. That time was earlier in the pandemic. Now it's time to gradually, incrementally return to normal. We need a plan, we need a strategy to offer the Grassadellian people, and we need to chart a path forward, that's what we're asking President McCaren and his team to do," said Hennemott.

In response to Hennemott's calls for a return to normal, her top CNS opponents for governor weighed in.

Phil Qwenberry, former mayor of Christen-Kerr, said it was "past time for Governor Hennemott to end her restrictions."

Attorney General Mark Ellsworth called Hennemott's latest comments "weak," while Hansboro Mayor Bill Engstrom lamented the "serious damage that has already been done to East Deschire's economy because of these unhelpful and unconstitutional COVID restrictions."

University of East Deschire head men's basketball coach Duke Edwards said Hennemott's pandemic politics "ruined our state's economy and took away our freedoms."

Assemblyman Dane Gutmeier (C-Clawfield) said he was "glad the governor is turning course" and easing restrictions. 

Iraq War veteran and far-right, white-nationalist activist Tim Hutsell called Hennemott a "dictator who needs to be taken down."

Kosevich announces run for Biereland governor, will challenge Ben Jordan in primary race

BROOKINGS  -- Former Biereland politician Peter Kosevich, a Conservative who was an appointed governor in the 1990s, will run for his old position in 2022.

Mr. Kosevich was never popularly-elected governor during his previous tenure. Instead, he was appointed governor by the state's legislature.

But now he's asking the voters of Biereland to elect him to his former position.

And he's running as a Conservative -- a direct challenge to incumbent Conservative Governor Ben Jordan, who is running for an unprecedented third-term.

"No governor -- from either party -- should serve three terms consecutively. That is too much power concentrated in one person for too long of a time. We need a break. We need new leadership. It's critical that we have new perspectives and allow access for new people to lead our state," said Kosevich in a video posted on his campaign social media accounts.

Kosevich said he largely agrees with Ben Jordan's positions, but thinks good-government principles should limit governors to two back-to-back terms. 

Jordan's campaign has not officially commented on Kosevich's entrance into the 2022 race, but Adrienne Martin, who works for the Jordan campaign, took to Twitter to criticize Kosevich's candidacy.

"Biereland voters want a strong, bold Conservative governor who doesn't bend to Nationalists' demands or to political correctness," Martin tweeted.

"The last thing Biereland voters want," she added, "is a 'moderate,' '1990s,' faux-'Conservative' in the governor's mansion."

No Nationalists have officially entered the Biereland governor's race yet, but former Gov. San Bartholomew is considered a leading potential candidate.

Businessman Joel Gruenwalder, farmer Derry Clayton, and former Federal Senator Steve Kolotano are also potential candidates.

Ben Jordan has been the state's governor since 2015.

David Brown rules out governor election rematch with Dan Rattner

MANCHESTER, Mar. -- Former Marchenay Governor David Brown (C) will not run for his old job in 2022.

Brown served as governor from 2015-2019, and lost his attempt at re-election to Nationalist and former Attorney General Dan Rattner.

Political observers in the state wondered if Brown would seek a rematch with Ratner in the 2022 election, but Brown ended all speculation Saturday, when he posted on Twitter and Facebook that he had "no interest" in running for governor again.

"It was a privilege and honor to serve as Marchenay's governor before, but now that I am back in the private sector, I am busy with my work. I have no interest in returning to the toxic political rat race," he wrote.

Brown's decision clears the field for other Conservative candidates, like businessmen Burke Azurjean, Tom Marino, Bill Kendle, state Sens. Mike Shannon and Mike Grimsby, former gubernatorial candidate David LaSaria, and Bruce McGruen, a twice-failed candidate for Deschire Attorney General who recently moved back to his native state of Marchenay and announced a gubernatorial bid.

Current Attorney General Mary Beth Halter already declined to seek the governorship in 2022, and will instead run for re-election to her post.

Incumbent Gov. Dan Rattner has modest approval ratings. He's taken some heat over his stringent COVID-19 restrictions and shut-downs.

But Marchenay's NAT-tilt will aid him as he runs for re-election next year.

Conservatives are also targeting Marchenay's Secretary of State seat, after Kathy Bernanski, the previous incumbent, was appointed to the Federal Senate to fill the vacant seat of Joseph Milhaughley.

Conservative Ari Havarnath has already raised $1.3 million for her campaign.

Milhaughley was a long-time federal senator who was appointed Federal Secretary of State by President Jim McCaren.

Kalnier Gov. Nick Hall polling under 50% against potential challengers

LAMBERTH, Kln. -- Allies of Kalnier Gov. Nick Hall are getting nervous after a new series of polls show the incumbent governor with less than 50% support from voters.

The polls, conducted on behalf of the Kalnier Conservative Party by the University of Kalnier and Lamberth Regent newspaper, found Hall tied in head-to-head match-ups with Attorney General Paul DeNario, former Gov. Tony Ritonio, and Assemblyman Mark Radowski.

In all three polls, Hall and his CNS opponents earned 49% each.

Political analysts commonly say incumbents who poll under 50% are in danger of losing re-election. 

None of the three Conservative candidates featured in the polls have announced their candidacy yet.

All eyes are on Ritonio, who narrowly lost to Hall in a very close contest in 2018.

Ritonio has remained mum about whether he plans to run against Hall again in 2022.

Hall is up for re-election in 2022, and at age 42, his youth and energy have inspired many Kalnierans.

But constantly-changing COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants, schools, and businesses, and economic uncertainty have eroded the young governor's support.

While the state's economy is still reeling from the pandemic's effects, Kalnier has fared better economically than most states during COVID. 

The unemployment rate stands at 4.7% and wages have increased by 1.8%, according to numbers released Monday by the Kalnier Dept. of Labor.

Inflation remains a major challenge for Hall, particularly in the state's two largest cities, Lamberth and Gladwell, where the cost of living is significantly higher than the national average.

Conservatives say Hall's biggest vulnerability, though, is his dismissal of the anti-vaccine movement.

The governor has been staunchly pro-vaccine, and as a state, Kalnier has been strongly supportive of the vaccine also, with 78% of residents vaccinated.

But Hall has repeatedly made critical remarks about anti-vaccine Kalnierans.

"Most of these people (anti-vaccine Kalnierans) are not educated, they're susceptible to conspiracy theories, they're easily manipulated and they believe anything they hear on conservative media or on social media. So we can't negotiate with these people," Hall told reporters in September.

After angry parents filled a school board meeting in suburban St. Pierre County southwest of Lamberth, to protest mask requirements in public schools, Hall dismissed them, saying, "We don't negotiate with terrorists."

When anti-vaccine and anti-mask organizers held a "mask-free" Octoberfest event in Pasquel County, southeast of Lamberth, with thousands of people in attendance, Hall criticized those who attended the event.

"Any parent who takes their child without a mask to a large event with thousands of people in close contact is really, frankly, unfit to be a parent," Hall told reporters.

In response, anti-vaccine and anti-mask protesters launched more protests, including one attended by hundreds of people just two blocks from Hall's south Lamberth home.

State police had to call in extra officers for crowd control.

Signs with catchy and satirical slogans like, "Uneducated and proud of it!" and "Go ahead. Try to take away this 'unfit' mother's kids, I dare you," accompanied by a picture of a handgun, were seen at rallies and saturated all over social media.

"Calling concerned parents, who want to protect their children from an untested vaccine, 'unfit' and 'uneducated' is about as arrogant and elitist as you can get," said Conservative political strategist Glenn Rothney.

"The economy is hurting Nick Hall, but what's hurting him most is his own arrogance and his belief that only vaccinated people with a college degree are intelligent," added Rothney.

Nationalists admit Hall is on treacherous ground politically, but it's not just the culture wars over the COVID vaccine and masks.

"Kalnier is a battleground state. Every governor's election we've had since statehood has been close. Nick Hall won in 2018 by only 1.5 percent, and that was before COVID. So the fact that he's running neck-and-neck in the polls really is not that newsworthy," said Ken Langston, a former candidate for governor and prominent NAT donor.

Part of Hall's challenge, Langston said, is the demographics and political differences within Kalnier.

Hall's progressive policies remain widely popular in liberal population centers like Lamberth, Gladwell, Lockport, and Fall Beach.

But in rural counties, like most Nationalists, Hall struggles for support.

Voters in Kirkenelly and Bellock have also swung heavily against him, the polls show.

Experts from both political parties say the election will likely come down to the suburbs of Kalnier's major metro areas.

"Since statehood, Kalnier's elections have always been contingent on the suburbs," said Langston.

Urban voters in Parma, Gladwell, and Lamberth heavily favor the NAT, as do more working-class, smaller cities like Katherine, Blackpool, Caltrey and Hubble.

But Conservatives have found success in the western suburbs of Lamberth and the southern and eastern suburbs of Gladwell. They also do well in suburban Kellogg County west of Parma, and in regional cities like Elliston, Kimberly and Cammais.

"Both parties, if they want to win, they have to win St. Pierre County, they have to win Parma County, they have to win Graeme County and Drogen County," Langston said, emphasizing the swing suburban areas.

"If your message falters in the suburbs, you're not going to win."

A spokesperson for Hall's campaign told GBC's Brad Donohue that the poll numbers do not reflect voters' true sentiment.

"We are confident that Governor Hall will be easily re-elected in 2022," said Hall campaign media director Josh Hankins.

"Governor Hall is right on all the issues. He believes the COVID vaccines are effective, he believes in a world-class education system, he has worked to make Kalnier's economy one of the strongest in the country with unprecedented growth in tech, aerospace and green jobs, he believes in protecting the environment from wealthy exploiters, he believes in fighting climate change, he believes in providing a social safety net for Kalnierans who are struggling and vulnerable.

"On issue after issue, Nick Hall is perfectly in sync with Kalnierans. They support his agenda and he never takes their support for granted," said Hankins.

Eight Attorneys General sue McCaren Administration over vaccine mandate

CAROVA CITY, Car. -- One third of the country's state attorneys general have filed a joint lawsuit challenging President Jim McCaren's vaccine mandate for federal employees.

Back in October, McCaren signed an executive order requiring all employees of the federal government, and employees of contractors who work for the federal government, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Under the order, employees have until the end of February 2022 to comply.

But eight attorneys general -- all Conservatives -- say McCaren's vaccine requirement is unconstitutional.

They filed the lawsuit today in federal court.

Because Carova Attorney General Sean Travern is the lead litigant, the lawsuit was filed in the western district of Carova, based in Carova City.

In documents submitted  to the court clerk, Travern and his seven colleagues say McCaren's vaccine mandate is "a grave violation of Grassadellians' constitutional rights," and "an egregious overreaching of presidential power."

Federal Attorney General Susan Pittman, acting on behalf of the McCaren Administration, defended the President's order, writing in a brief that McCaren's vaccine mandate is "in line with previous actions by previous presidents."

"There is nothing unconstitutional about presidents issuing executive orders -- presidents of both parties do so all the time."

Pittman added that, in the interest of public health, the president had the responsibility to protect federal workers.

"As the leader of the executive branch of government, it is imperative that President McCaren protect all federal employees, and in these extraordinary circumstances of a deadly, contagious, global pandemic, President McCaren took the right and legal step of issuing a vaccine mandate."

McCaren himself was asked earlier this week about his vaccine mandate, telling reporters gathered at Collester that Conservative complaints about the vaccine requirement are "political theater."

"[Conservative attorneys general] know this order is legal, they know it's constitutional. This lawsuit they're filing is just to impress their base, it's just meant to show their opposition to me. And to vaccines, it turns out," said McCaren.

Speaking to the media after the lawsuit was filed, Roddenshire Attorney General Scott Bracken said he personally supports the COVID vaccine, but doesn't believe government should force vaccinations on the public.

"I got the vaccine. I trust it, I think it's good to get it. But it is blatantly unconstitutional for government to forcibly compel citizens, through threat of their jobs and livelihoods, to get the vaccine. That flies in the face of the constitution," said Bracken.

No NAT attorneys general signed on to the lawsuit, and four Conservative attorneys general -- Paul DeNario (Kln.), Chris Stryde (Kens.), Mary Beth Halter (Mar.), and Carol Campbell-Doros (Nwp.) declined to join their fellow Conservatives in filing the lawsuit.

Monomi Attorney General Jon Liu (N) took to Twitter to vent his frustration at the lawsuit.

"This lawsuit is a waste of time. It's established law that the president has executive order powers. They know they're not going to win this one, they're just tying up the court system with a frivolous lawsuit," Liu tweeted.

Preliminary hearings for the case are set for Tuesday, November 23. No judge has been assigned to the case yet.

Andrew Fulbright: Bob Hefner was a 'millstone around my neck' in 2020 campaign

MARCHANDE, ARA -- The 2020 elections were almost a year ago, but some candidates are still reflecting on the results.

Armana Senate candidate Andrew Fulbright, a moderate, young Conservative who challenged NAT Senator Serap Figaori, is one of those who is still reflecting on the 2020 race.

In the lead-up to the 2020 election, Mr. Fulbright, the son of former Gov. Dale Fulbright, was polling even with the liberal Figaori.

But when all the votes were tallied, Fulbright came up short, losing to Figaori 46%-51%.

In a radio interview this week with conservative talk show host Lew Fitzgibbons, Fulbright was asked why he lost by a still respectable but unexpectedly large margin in his 2020 race.

He attributed part of his loss to the fact that Armana is a blue state.

"It's hard for Conservatives to win in Armana, there are so many more NAT voters, you have to get many of them to cross over and support you," said Fulbright.

But the main reason he lost so astoundingly?

Conservative gubernatorial candidate Bob Hefner.

"I think the main reason I did so poorly was because it wasn't just me running. I was sharing the Conservative ballot with someone who was basically a self-described Donald Trump-type candidate, and that turned off a lot of Independent voters, it turned off a lot of traditionally Conservative voters, and it definitely turned off and motivated a lot of NAT voters," said Fulbright.

"It was hard to overcome that wave of NAT voters. The Conservative turnout just wasnt strong enough to carry me across the finish line."

The 'someone' Fulbright was referring to was Conservative gubernatorial nominee Hefner, an outspoken businessman who campaigned on a populist, anti-politically correct platform.

Fulbright didn't initially mention Hefner by name, but did so when pressed for specifics by host Lew Fitzgibbons.

"Who are you referring to?" asked Fitzgibbons."Are you referring to Bob Hefner?"

"Who else?" Fulbright replied curtly.

Mr. Fulbright went on to take personal responsibility for his loss.

"At the end of the day, it was my campaign, I was the candidate, I lost the race and had I ran a better campaign, I would've won. But I didn't adequately distance myself from Bob Hefner, I was trying to tread a fine line between satisfying the base voters and swing voters, and looking back, I should have just stood up and spoken my mind more assertively and let the chips fall where they may."

"I should have been my authentic self and if the base, hard-line Hefner supporters don't vote for me, so be it. But I didn't want to offend those voters, so I stayed quiet on Hefner and my opponent on the NAT effectively tied me to Hefner."

"Hefner was a millstone around my neck," Fulbright said.

Other factors were at play too, though.

Figaori effectively portrayed Fulbright as a "spoiled rich kid who only cared about rich people."

"They (the Figaori campaign) cast me as an out-of-touch rich guy who only cares about the one percent. And of course that's not true, but they wanted to and I think they effectively did portray me as a preppy, private school guy who was not sympathetic to working class people."

Fulbright, age 42, does come from a privileged background. He was born into ancestral money, and he did attend private schools and ivy league universities.

Serap Figaori also attended elite universities, although he came from a more humble background.

It was "a number of things" that contributed to his defeat in 2020, said Fulbright.

But despite blaming Bob Hefner, in part at least, Mr. Fulbright said he understands why Hefner appeals to Conservative voters.

"He's outspoken and off-color, which is a turn off to a lot of people, but some people like that brash, candid, blunt personality. And with the terrible NAT policies we've seen from politicians in Mavocke and in New Salem, I think a lot of people are hungry for that decisive, brash leadership," Fulbright added.

Fulbright has not spoken to Hefner or Figaori since the election.

He did offer praise for Armana Gov. Leandra Kemmes, however, saying the NAT incumbent has handled COVID-19 "pretty well" and she didn't cave to demands from anti-police activists.

"I think Leandra Kemmes is an NAT governor that moderate Conservatives can get behind and work with," Fulbright said.

When reached by phone for comment on Fulbright's remarks, Bob Hefner told a reporter for the Marchande Herald that he had no comment, but quickly said that "nobody cares what Andrew Fulbright has to say."

"Fulbright lost because he was a terrible candidate who campaigned on moderate policies, he tried to appease Nationalists and the left. That's not a winning formula and that's why he failed miserably," said Hefner, before hanging up.

Hefner lost to Gov. Leandra Kemmes (N) 43%-54%, respectively.

Kemmes will not forbid police from using tear gas

MARCHAND, Ara -- Despite impassioned pleas from Black Lives Matter activists and local officials, Armana Governor Leandra Kemmes will not order police to stop using tear gas against violent protesters.

Marchand Mayor Tom Mallowry and the city's councilors voted to prohibit local police from using tear gas on BLM protesters, calling it "cruel and excessive."

However, local police have pointed to a state law that says police agencies are allowed to utilize tear gas unless and only if state lawmakers or the governor issues an order prohibiting it.

"Tear gas does not fall under the jurisdiction of the mayor or the city council," said Marchand Police Chief John Ross. "The only ones who can dictate the use of tear gas are the legislature and/or the governor through an executive order."

Penelope County Sheriff Kim Wyott also voiced his support for tear gas.

"It's a tool we don't want to use as members of law enforcement, but unfortunately, sometimes it is the last resort we have to use when safety and security are threatened by violent protesters," said Wyott in an interview with the local newspaper.

A spokesman for Governor Kemmes said the governor would not issue an executive order banning tear gas.

"While Governor Kemmes fully supports the BLM movement and the peaceful demonstrations, she will not wade into this issue. It's an issue best left up to the judgment of law enforcement and local officials."

The spokesman added that "state legislators can take up the issue if they feel it necessary, and Governor Kemmes is willing to sit down with them and discuss the use of tear gas in large-scale protest situations."

Mayor Mallowry was unmoved.

"This is a moment when we need a strong governor who shows leadership, and that's just not what we're getting from our governor, sadly" he said.

Kemmes, who is of mixed Caucasian, Asian and Black heritage herself, said last week she "fully supports" the BLM movement.

"I know what it's like to be a person of color. I went to the military and experienced discrimination and judgment there. I've experienced discrimination from law enforcement before too. I know what it's like and I support those who are rightly calling attention to this issue."

"What I don't support is breaking windows, setting fires, throwing Molotov cocktails, throwing items at police, looting, rioting. I can't get behind that," said Kemmes.

A moderate Nationalist, Ms. Kemmes is known for her tough-on-crime and her law-and-order emphasis.

However, her response to the violent protests in Marchand, Mavocke and Dubrind has earned her scorn from the left-wing of the NAT Party.

"It's disappointing that a governor who is a woman and a woman of color is not more engaged and concerned about police brutality and violence against people of color," said BLM activist DaQueesha James, in response to Kemmes' decision.

Kemmes is up for re-election this year, however, no Nationalists challenged her in the primary election. She is facing little-known Conservative businessman Bob Hefner in the general election.

Stevens survives close Monomi Senate primary

HEYDWORTH - Incumbent Senator Rylan "Rill" Stevens is breathing a sigh of relief today.

The Conservative senator, who is politically moderate, narrowly defeated a more hard-line opponent in the party's primary election.

Stevens is known as a foreign policy hawk, but he's openly moderate on social issues.

As an openly-gay man, Stevens has struggled in the past to win over Monomi Conservative voters.

Running for re-election this year was no different for Stevens.

Gun-rights activist Randi Karswell, age 44, ran a well-funded campaign against the respected senator.

Ms. Karswell, an attractive business owner and married mother of three, argued that Stevens is too liberal and sides with Nationalists too often.

"Monomi is a Conservative state, and yet we have elected a senator who is Conservative on paper but votes like a Nationalist," Karswell said last week at a campaign appearance, where she refused to wear a mask.

Her campaign centered on Stevens' moderate voting record, gun rights and anti-mask sentiment.

Despite raising millions of dollars from across the country, and heavy support from the Grassadellian Rifle Club, Ms. Karswell still fell short in her bid to oust Mr. Stevens.

The final vote tally left Stevens with 54% to Karswell's 46%, or 491,383 votes to 418,671 votes, respectively.

Ms. Karswell, a first-time candidate, performed best in rural counties and in the most conservative counties.

Mr. Stevens received the most support in more urban and centrist counties, although he also received strong support in rural counties with large Native/Indigenous Grassadellian populations.

Stevens also won in his native Nylan County, home to the state's second-largest city Heydworth.

Karswell also is from Nylan County, but she struggled to win over voters on her home turf.

Unable to have a traditional victory party due to COVID, Mr. Stevens appeared on Facebook Live, at a small celebration with a few guests, all donning masks and toasting drinks.

"Thank you, Monomi Conservatives. I'm honored to have your support, it means the world to me. I will represent you well in the general election and we still have so much work to do to champion conservative causes," said Stevens.

Karswell held a drive-in victory celebration at a drive-in theater south of Heydworth. Few attendees wore masks at her campaign celebration.

Noticeably disappointed, Ms. Karswell thanked supporters and vowed she would run for office again.

"We won't quit campaigning and running until every pseudo-Conservative is booted out of office and replaced with real, honest, authentic, legit constitutional, Christian Conservatives," she said.

It's unclear who Mr. Stevens will face in the fall, general election. Nationalists are still conducting their primary selection. However, no big-name candidates have emerged, so it's likely Stevens will have a relatively easy path to re-election.

Leemore: 'Proud to stand with Sid Hoffa'

ARNELLESON, Dmg. -- She was unsuccessful in her bid for Damoign's governorship.

But Conservative state lawmaker Pat Leemore won the party's primary election for lieutenant governor Tuesday.

Leemore narrowly defeated state Rep. Andrew Liang by a margin of 53%-47%.

Liang, of Eastholm, immediately endorsed Leemore, who hails from the mid-coast area of the state.

Though they are running independently of each other, Sid Hoffa, the Conservative nominee for governor, has said he will campaign jointly with Leemore.

"We're running separately for separate positions, but I support Pat Leemore, we need her as our next lieutenant governor, so I am happy to join with her and team up with her," said Hoffa earlier this week in a radio interview.

Incumbent NAT Governor Jenna Duvan has also endorsed and will also campaign jointly with current Lt. Gov. Jeff Zeme.

In a Zoom Interview with The Grassadellia City Times, Leemore said she was honored to run for lieutenant governor alongside Hoffa.

 "I'm proud to stand with Sid Hoffa for election," said Leemore. "He was a great mayor, a great governor, and he's the person we need to lead our state at this pivotal moment in time."

Hoffa previously served as governor from 2009-2013.

Polling in Damoign's gubernatorial race shows Hoffa and Duvan nearly tied.

Also facing an uncertain political future is embattled Attorney General Rod Penora, who was indicted on federal corruption charges earlier this spring.

Despite the charges against him, Penora easily won a primary challenge from NAT attorney David Nance.

However, Conservative attorney Cathy Maison may present a formidable challenge to Penora in the general election.

Enos campaign fined by county health board for violating COVID restrictions

LANAKIS – He suffered a humiliating defeat in the Veroche governor’s race earlier this week.

But Billionaire Bill Enos received more bad news today.

His failed campaign was hit with a $36,814 fine.

The Marcialeukia County Health Department (MCHD) issued the hefty fine after the Enos campaign hosted a “victory party” on election night at the Intrinsa Hotel.

Due to Coronavirus, Veroche Governor Tom Harper issued a ban on gatherings of more than 30 people.

But the Bill Enos campaign’s “victory party” had more than 250 people in attendance, more than eight times the limit.

In accordance with state policy, the MCHD issued a $158 fine for each person over the 30-person limit.

According to MCHD officials, there were 263 guests confirmed in attendance at the party.

Additionally, there were 37 hotel employees present during the party, but health officials cut the campaign a break and chose not to issue fines for the hotel workers.

The Enos campaign said it would pay the fine without objection.

However, on his Twitter and Facebook accounts, Mr. Enos blamed Lanakis Mayor Dick Scholinger for the fine.

“Somehow I have a feeling failed Mayor @DickScholinger ordered his health department to issue this petty fine!” wrote Enos.

However, Scholinger pointed out the fine was issued by the Marcialeukia County Health Department.

“The “petty” fee Bill Enos blamed me for was issued by @MCHD, not the @CityOfLanakis. 2 different agencies, but I wouldn’t expect him to understand,” tweeted Scholinger.

“I am the mayor of the @CityOfLanakis. I do not work for or have authority over @MarcialeukiaCo.,” he added.

Scholinger and Enos were both unsuccessful Conservative candidates for governor. Despite hailing from the same party, the two men have butted heads in recent months over politics.

Enos has repeatedly lambasted Scholinger for his performance as mayor of Veroche’s largest city, blaming Scholinger for high taxes, widespread homelessness, and urban unrest.

Scholinger has called Enos “an ego-maniac” and “unsophisticated.”

Griffin overcomes Enos' huge war chest in Veroche gubernatorial primary

SOUTHWICK, Ver. – Despite spending a record $55 million of his own money, and vastly out-spending his opponents, Veroche billionaire Bill Enos has failed in his campaign for the Veroche Conservative Party’s nomination for governor.

Mr. Enos, 68, had been a vocal supporter of US President Donald Trump, and the outspoken and controversial businessman had pledged to shake up Veroche politics similarly to Mr. Trump’s seismic impact on US politics.

But in a special run-off election, Enos was easily routed by his centrist opponent, Red Leaf Mayor MacDonald “Mac” Griffin.

Veroche Secretary of State Suzanne Boyd reported Griffin winning with 56% of the vote compared to Enos’ 44%, respectively.

Mr. Enos initially came in second place in the May 21^st primary election, which featured nine candidates.

In that contest, Griffin came in first place with 22%, followed by Enos with 20%, state Senator Al Paccioli with 18%, and Lanakis Mayor Dick Scholinger with 15 percent, respectively.

Since no candidate reached the 35% threshold in the primary election, Mr. Griffin and Mr. Enos advanced to the run-off election, which was initially scheduled for June 21^st, but was delayed a month because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Also due to the Coronavirus, for the first time ever in Veroche history, the run-off election was held entirely by mail.

While Griffin was the front-runner in the match-up, there was concern among many party leaders and strategists that Enos would win due to a lower voter turnout and unpredictable Coronavirus factors.

However, despite Enos’ cash advantage and his fired-up supporters, Mr. Griffin quickly obtained endorsements from top Conservative Party officials and colleagues.

Party leadership rapidly coalesced around Griffin, while hard-core Conservatives eagerly backed Enos.

Additionally, some allies of Griffin expressed concerns about his relaxed campaign itinerary. Some suggested he was too tired and lacked the energy to keep up with a busy campaign schedule.

But ultimately, Mr. Enos’ abrasive personality and blustery rhetoric didn’t land with Veroche’s pragmatic Conservative voters. Griffin won the run-off election by almost 130,000 votes.

The popular mayor spoke briefly at his intimate election night party, which was held in his backyard with only a small group of close supporters staying six feet apart.

“Veroche’s Conservative voters have shown the world tonight that money doesn’t buy everything,” he said to applause. “We were outspent nine-to-one. Our opponent spent over $55 million, a record. We raised about $8 million. And yet here we are tonight, we’ve won the primary, and I look forward to winning in December,” said Griffin.

While Griffin’s campaign did only raise $8 million, the Conservative Party, conservative groups and Political Action Committees (PACs) spent over $9 million in advertising promoting Griffin. Nevertheless, even with outside help, Griffin was still vastly out-spent.

At his election night party in downtown Lanakis at his own luxury hotel, where guests were asked to stay six feet apart but the policy was not enforced, Bill Enos accepted the results but not before insulting his rival.

“Mac won, and I congratulate him. I still don’t think he’s the right guy for the job, but the voters chose him, so hopefully he’ll stay awake and have enough energy to beat Tom Harper,” said Enos, in an a dig to Griffin.

Enos also expressed regret at not running as an Independent.

Some states allow an unsuccessful candidate who loses a party primary election to subsequently run as an Independent candidate in the general election.

However, in Veroche, a candidate can run as an Independent, but must file to run as an Independent before the primary election. Candidates are not allowed to run in the partisan primary and then run as an Independent.

“We should’ve just run as an Independent from the start. We would still have a chance if we did that. But at the time it didn’t seem like the right choice, and now it’s too late, so it is what it is,” said Enos.

Asked by a reporter if he would endorse Mr. Griffin in the general election, Mr. Enos replied “we’ll see.”

Now that he’s secured his party’s nomination for governor, Griffin will go on to face incumbent Governor Tom Harper (N) in the December general election.

Little-known Liberal Democrat Leon Pandel is also running.

Recent polls have shown Griffin leading Harper in the December match-up with the incumbent struggling to win over voters amid the economic and health care turmoil caused by Coronavirus shutdowns.

However, like Mr. Enos, Mr. Harper is also a billionaire businessman, and has a seemingly unlimited campaign war chest.

But as Griffin demonstrated this week, sometimes the candidate with the most money does not win.

A spokesman for Tom Harper’s campaign issued a tongue-in-cheek response to reporters following Griffin’s nomination.

“Governor Harper looks forward to having a productive race and discourse with Mac Griffin over the next few months. We (The Harper campaign) are working with the Griffin campaign on nailing down some dates for televised debates, and we are willing to work around Mac’s napping schedule also,” said spokesman Jared Pother.

Griffin campaign spokeswoman Emily Hansen followed up with a more conventional response.

“Tom Harper’s jokes are cute, but they won’t distract voters from his failed economy, his mishandling of the Coronavirus, and his exorbitant “Green New Deal-like” tax increases.”

McCann, Hoffa disavow white nationalist supporters

CROWDERVILLE, Damoign -- He only won about six percent of the vote in the Damoign gubernatorial primary election.

But libertarian businessman Rob McCann outlasted better-funded and better-known candidates in the CNS primary, and he won six counties.

He ultimately lost to former Grassadellia City Mayor and Damoign Governor Sid Hoffa.

But new reports show much of McCann's support came from white nationalist voters.

Several white nationalist leaders posted their support for McCann on social media, and a local newspaper reporter traveled to a rural commune of right-wing, off-the-grid white supremacists in the mountains of southern Damoign. McCann campaign signs were prevalent in the area.

Crowderville's largest newspaper wrote a special piece on the issue - white nationalism in Damoign, and how its supporters coalesced around a libertarian candidate.

The investigation by the newspaper found no evidence that Mr. McCann, a wealthy businessman from the southeastern suburbs of Grassadellia City, knew he was being supported by white nationalist leaders.

McCann's campaign never knowingly took money from white nationalists.

And it appears McCann's campaign had no contact with known members of the white supremacist community.

But critics from the NAT and even some Conservatives say McCann's pro-libertarian and anti-government positions resonated with the small but active group of white supremacist and anti-government activists.

"I don't think Rob McCann is a white supremacist. I don't think he's an end-days doomsdayer. But his campaign positions and messaging really hit home with a lot of those types of people," said one political consultant, who asked for anonymity so as to speak candidly.

McCann has never espoused racist ideology. In fact, he's spoken out strongly against it.

And this week he was forced to condemn it again.

"I have never been involved in white supremacy. I don't know anyone involved in white supremacy, and I have no desire to know anyone involved in white supremacy," said McCann in a radio interview from his home.

"Racism is awful, it's terrible, it has no place in society, and if those types of people voted for me and supported my campaign, then I would reject their support," said McCann.

CNS nominee Sid Hoffa was also asked about the possibility of white nationalists supporting McCann and ultimately supporting Hoffa's campaign.

"Look, Damoign is a diverse state. We have people from every walk of life, every color, every religion here in this state. Racism has no place. We will not tolerate white supremacy in our state and among our campaign. I flat out will reject any attempt or effort by these white nationalist people to support my campaign. I don't want their support, I don't want their vote, I don't want their donations."

Asked to comment, incumbent Gov. Jenna Duvan, a Nationalist who is seeking re-election in 2020, said she was "disturbed" by reports of white nationalists endorsing Conservative candidates.

"I can tell you, I know Sid Hoffa, he is not a racist. I don't know Mr. McCann, but I have no reason to suspect he is a racist. I think both of them are good people who don't hold these views. But it is highly disturbing that we have these groups endorsing Mr. McCann's campaign and now potentially Sid Hoffa's. And I think Sid and Rob McCann have a moral responsibility to call these 'supporters' out publicly and condemn them," said Duvan.

In addition to publicly condemning white supremacy, McCann and Hoffa announced the state Conservative party would investigate the claims. The party is also asking for an official legislative inquiry into white nationalism in Damoign.

Since the early 1900s, the rural, mountainous regions of southern and western Damoign have been hotbeds for white supremacist groups. Though their presence has greatly diminished since the 1970s, several groups and individuals remain active.

A spokesperson for the Crown Police said the agency is constantly monitoring extremist cells and groups across the country, and would continue to monitor the state's known groups.

Deetch says BLM protesters should be ran over

PARKINS, North Ceona -- Former Senator and current candidate for North Ceona governor Pete Deetch is making controversial comments again.

In the past, he's made disparaging remarks about women and minorities.

Now he's going after protesters participating in the Black Lives Matter movement.

Since the May 25 death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by police in the United States, US cities have been caught up in both peaceful and violent protests.

Those protests spread to the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Grassadellia.

While the protests have largely been peaceful, some demonstrations have turned violent, with many cities having bloody clashes with police, and rioters vandalizing businesses and looting from stores.

In Grassadellia, there have been large protests in virtually every medium-to-large sized city, but violence and looting have only been an issue in 10 metros: Grassadellia City, Mavocke, Maine City, Madagen, Monvaille, Lanakis, Lansdale, Bradford, Berivian and Trieton.

And while the protests in his own home state of North Ceona were largely peaceful, former Senator Pete Deetch was very candid about his thoughts on the protests.

"I think the police ought to get in their car and put it in drive and take out a few of those protesters," said Deetch at a campaign meeting on Lawton's south side.

"If these guys want to throw rocks and bottles and smash windows and light cars on fire and attack police cars with baseball bats, then maybe we need to get a little more firm with these people."

Deetch added that "we can't have lawlessness and thugs taking over the streets of our cities."

His comments were immediately condemned by leading Nationalist politicians and even some Conservative colleagues.

Deetch later said he was "joking, of course." But he doubled-down on his comments on keeping law and order.

"I will be damned if I let these radical, left-wing extremist nut jobs take over neighborhoods and cities in this country. I'll be damned if I will let them loot stores and destroy businesses.

"It's the job of the governor to help maintain the peace, and if that means calling in the National Guard, that's what these governors and mayors and the president ought to be doing," said Deetch.

Deetch's fellow Conservative candidates widely criticized his comments.

"Extreme. Inappropriate. Unbecoming comments of a governor," wrote former Senator Ty Jaimeson.

Nationalist candidate Elizabeth Graham said Deetch's comments were "appalling but sadly not surprising."

Asked to clarify his comments later, Deetch told a local news reporter he was "obviously joking" and that people are too sensitive.

"The political correctness in this country has gotten out of control, and we're going to fix that when I'm elected governor," he said.

Deetch is locked in a tight Conservative primary against Jaimeson, Secretary of State Bill Stacey, state Senator Randy Kartchener and businessman Tony Raynor.

The winner of the CNS primary will face either Nationalist Senator Elizabeth Graham or former Attorney General John Ennis.

Jamber, Baxter jump into Trinton governor's race

WILLIAMSTOWN, Tri. -- The crowded race for Trinton's governorship got more crowded today.

Assemblyman Tom Jamber, a centrist Nationalist from the north shore, announced his candidacy. He'll face former Attorney General and 2016 NAT nominee Troy Halver in the September 1 primary election.

On the Conservative side, former Senator Greg Baxter, who lose re-election in 2014, threw his hat into the ring.

Baxter will face another former senator, Kelsey Frascanio, as well as former gubernatorial nominee Jim Valoix, and current Assemblymen Bryan Kim and Mark Bronure.

Halver has a significant money edge over Jamber, but many NAT party elders are unenthused about his candidacy.

Having lost the 2016 election to Democratic-Reformist Marcus Edinough, some feel Halver is not strong enough to beat Edinough in 2020.

Halver has also come under fire from the progressive wing of the party for his more conservative views on the environment, police accountability and crime.

Though he is starting later and has less money, Jamber is more popular among a wider swath of the NAT party. Surrogates of his campaign say the assemblyman from the northern suburbs of Williamstown is a pragmatic leader; progressive enough to satisfy left-wing voters, but moderate enough to not alienate independent and conservative voters.

Jamber told the National Press Federation (NPF) he's running because he feels Marcus Edinough, Troy Halver and the CNS candidates are too conservative.

"Trinton is a Nationalist state. We have twice as many Nationalist voters as Conservative. And yet, our current governor, while he is progressive on some issues, remains very conservative on other issues. Troy Halver is not a mainstream Nationalist, he's quite conservative on many issues also. And the CNS candidates are extremely conservative," said Jamber.

"We need a governor who has strong, reliable, predictable Nationalist values. Someone who will lead our state in line with what the majority of voters want," he added.

Greg Baxter left office in 2014, having lost re-election to the NAT's Grace Kemp.

Since then, the former senator has worked in the private sector as a security analyst and consultant.

He told the Golden Shore Tribune newspaper he decided to run for governor because he felt the other candidates are not strong enough to defeat Marcus Edinough and Troy Halver.

"I have nothing but respect for Kelsey Frascanio and Jim Valoix and Bryan Kim and Mark Bronure. But I don't think any of them can win. That's why I decided to run. We need a winning candidate. They are fine people but we need a strong, tough candidate who can win and who can take on either Halver or Jamber, and Edinough."

According to Trinton law, a candidate must receive at least 40% of the popular vote in order to be elected governor.

If no candidate attains at least 40% of the vote, the top two candidates will advance to a run-off election.

Polling has consistently shown Nationalist Troy Halver winning a plurality in a three-way race against incumbent Gov. Marcus Edinough (DR) and Conservative candidates. However, every poll has found Halver falling short of the 40% minimum required to win out-right.

Because Jamber and Baxter just entered the race, polling on them has been limited.

It appears likely, however, that no matter who wins for each party, a run-off election is virtually guaranteed to ensue.

Asked about the developments in the race, Edinough told reporters he was aware of Jamber's entry into the race, but the governor said he was unaware Baxter even living in Trinton still.

"I haven't seen or heard anything from Greg Baxter since he lost in 2014. I wasn't even aware he was still living in the state," said a surprised Edinough.

The governor added he was surprised by the "volume" of candidates this election, but he is confident he will win re-election.

"The people of Trinton elected me twice as lieutenant governor, they elected me last time as governor. I think most Trintonians agree with me that both of the major parties are fundamentally flawed."

Average turnout in Ansleigha primary; four-way race for governor ahead

RAWLINGSWORTH, Ansleigha -- Despite concerns about Coronavirus and the state's first-ever mail-in election, turnout in Ansleigha's primary election was still at normal levels, Secretary of State Fred Atchison reported Wednesday.

About 40% of voters cast a ballot in Tuesday's primary election.

That's about normal, Atchison said.

Ansleigha is the first state to hold a primary election this year, and amid the Coronavirus, all eyes were on the state to see how well its mail-in election went.

By most accounts, the election was a success.

Atchison says about 80% of voters either mailed their ballots or dropped them off at drop-box locations around the state.

Polling booths were still open for voters who wished to vote in person, but there were far less polling booth locations than usual.

Ansleigha has allowed absentee mail-in voting for years, but this was the first election in which a majority of ballots were cast through the mail.

State officials made the decision to switch to mail-in voting following recommendations from state health officials due to Coronavirus.

Turnout data released by Atchison's office shows slightly more Conservatives voted than Nationalists, but both parties were about even in the number and percentage of turnout.

The marquee race was the governor's race. For the first time since Ansleigha's statehood, there will not be an incumbent governor running for re-election.

The open race initially drew a large field of candidates in both parties, but several dropped out.

On the NAT side, Speaker of the State House Becky Grael won, beating out Carlinegan businessman Russ Hawley and Churchtown Mayor Paul Biddington.

Actor and political newcomer Sam Baskingwood took victory in the Conservative primary, defeating Gilliam car dealership owner Lou Gibbs, Lt. Governor Greg Lyons and Assemblyman Nick Winsich.

In most of the state's other races, only one or two candidates were running, with no major primary showdowns taking place.

Grael's victory is particularly historic. She is the first woman to be nominated for Ansleigha governor by a major party. She is also the first openly LGBTQ person to be nominated in the state for governor.

While she is the first in Ansleigha, Grael is the second openly LGBTQ gubernatorial nominee in the nation. Nationalist Beth Gowan of Monomi was the first LGBTQ nominee for governor of a state in 2014 and 2018, although she lost both elections.

Grael's two primary opponents both endorsed her after conceding.

On the Conservative side, actor Sam Baskingwood was the front-runner throughout the primary race. However, in recent weeks, ultra-conservative and Donald Trump admirer Lou Gibbs attacked Baskingwood relentlessly for being too moderate.

Top Conservative Party officials were concerned the outspoken and controversial Gibbs might upset the more centrist Baskingwood in the primary, but Baskingwood's money advantage helped keep him in the top spot.

Gibbs refused to concede on election night. He finally conceded Wednesday afternoon, saying on Facebook he could never support Baskingwood in the general election.

Instead, Gibbs endorsed another controversial candidate, Nationalist-turned-Independent Rosamond Burkes.

Burkes initially ran for governor as a Nationalist, but half-way through the primary campaign, she dropped out of the NAT race and announced she would run as an Independent.

Though a former Nationalist, Burkes is conservative on many issues. Her rowdy, populist-driven campaign has resonated with both disaffected Nationalist and Conservative voters.

Adding to the confusion, former Senator Paul Ludkte, a Conservative-turned-Democratic Reformist, filed to run for governor on the last day of the filing period.

That means Ansleigha will have a rare four-way race for governor in December.

Nationalist Becky Grael, Conservative Sam Baskingwood, Independent Rosamond Burkes, and Democratic-Reformist Paul Ludtke.

Lutdke has raised little money so far, but as a former senator, he is well-known.

His previous campaigns have focused on lowering taxes, cutting spending and protecting civil liberties.

No polls have been conducted yet on the four-way general election race.

But both the NAT and CNS have signaled they are willing to invest tens of millions of dollars into the battleground state.

And as the wealthy owner of a major mining company, Independent Rosamond Burkes has also said she will use millions of her own money to self-fund her campaign.

Ludtke's campaign is the least-funded of the four, and because of his late start, he is unlikely to raise cash at a comparable level with his three opponents.

But the former senator said he entered the raise at the last second because he felt none of the candidates running would make good governors.

"Sam Baskingwood has no experience whatsoever. Becky Grael has experience, but she is a fiercely partisan, liberal person. And she's entrenched in the establishment. And Rosamond Burkes says racist things and doesn't have the decorum or temperament," Ludtke told GBC Radio. "So I had to jump in the race."

Speaking to his supporters through a Facebook video recorded at his Elmhurst home, Baskingwood said he was the mainstream candidate in a group of extremists.

"What Ansleigha needs right now is a strong, Conservative leader who will lead our state with dignity and common sense," he said.

In a similar video posted on her social media accounts, Grael said her win was a sign that Ansleighans want change.

"We heard you loud and clear tonight, with our history-making result," Grael told supporters. "We're going to take our win tonight and keep it going to December and make history again when we become Ansleigha's next governor."

As an Independent candidate, Rosamond Burkes didn't have to compete against any primary opponents Tuesday night. But she posted a video on her Facebook page thanking those voters who did vote for her on the Independent ballot. And she took aim at Baskingwood and Grael.

"Sam and Becky are both celebrating tonight, but their party won't last, because we're going to win this December and we're going to win big. And when we do, it will shock the political establishment in both of the 'lame-stream' parties," said a riled Burkes.

While it's common for states to have multiple candidates for governor, it's rare to have four well-known and popular candidates.

Most races typically have two well-known candidates and several little-known, minor party candidates who get only a handful of votes.

Because of the historic and unusual nature of the Ansleigha governor's race, it will be difficult to predict a certain outcome in the December general election.

Ansleigha is a notorious battleground state with a roughly equal number of Conservative, Nationalist and Independent voters.

Because of the unusual factors, and the uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus situation, most pollsters are rating the Ansleigha governor's race as a "Toss Up."

**Official Primary Election Results -- Ansleigha Governor's Race**

CNS

Sam Baskingwood	35.41%	265,227
Lou Gibbs	29.57%	221,505
Greg Lyons	19.38%	145,174
Nick Winsich	15.64%	117,157

NAT

Becky Grael	37.07%	268,335
Russ Hawley	33.45%	242,106
Paul Biddington	29.48%	213,342

Duvan to face predecessor Hoffa in Damoign governor's race

GRASSADELLIA CITY -- Former Damoign Governor Sid Hoffa has won the Conservative Party's primary election in his quest to reclaim his old position.

In a crowded race, Hoffa won with just under 20 percent of the vote. He was followed closely behind by former National Security Secretary Robert Austin, who secured 19.5 percent. And just like in the 2016 election, downstate Assemblywoman Pat Leemore took third place, with 18.6 percent.

Assemblyman Brian Tyker of central Damoign came in fourth place with 14.8 percent. The other five candidates received eight percent or less.

Under Damoign election laws, a candidate does not have to receive a majority of the votes in an election. A simple plurality is enough to be elected or win a party's nomination.

However, this year, concerns about the Coronavirus pandemic presented challenges to the normal voting process.

Concerned the pandemic would discourage people from voting, party leaders voted to allow mail-in votes for all voters for the first time.

In another historic first, the party's board of directors also voted to allow ranked-choice or preferential voting.

This system, where voters pick their first choice candidate, then their second choice, then their third, etc., has never been used in a major, statewide race in Damoign before by either party.

All the votes that were initially cast for the other seven candidates besides Hoffa and Austin were re-tabulated and re-assigned to either Hoffa or Austin.

With all the votes recounted and alternate choices assigned, Hoffa earned 54% of the total votes, while Austin won 46 percent.

Though the results were non-binding, with a majority of voters choosing through the ranked choice process backing Hoffa, the former Grassadellia City mayor and governor was able to claim a mandate.

In a Facebook video on his page, Hoffa thanked Austin and the other candidates for a "lively" primary election. He turned his focus immediately on incumbent Governor Jenna Duvan (N), who is seeking re-election.

"We've had a hard-fought primary race," said Hoffa. "Now it's over. We can come together as a party and work together to beat the socialist Nationalists in December."

Duvan is not a socialist, but with the governor shutting down businesses and schools due to the Coronavirus in recent weeks, Conservative politicians have begun to use the label against her.

Hoffa's victory means he will face off against Duvan in the fall general election.

No recent polling has been done on the race, but a prior poll found Hoffa trailing Duvan.

Though her popularity has slipped during the virus somewhat, Duvan remains relatively popular, and has won praise from members of both parties for her proactive leadership during the outbreak.

Hoffa say Duvan is too focused on image and self-promoting her "Instagram, picture-perfect brand."

"We need a governor, not a social media star," Hoffa said in his Facebook video Tuesday night.

Duvan did not comment on Hoffa's securing of the CNS nomination.

Robert Austin did concede the race to Hoffa and offered an endorsement.

"Sid Hoffa knows this state well, and he cares about Damoign, and he has the leadership to take our state forward," said Austin.

The other Conservative gubernatorial candidates have all endorsed Hoffa.

-----**Official Results**-----

Candidates	Residence	Votes	Percentage	Counties Won
Sid Hoffa	Victoria	420,298	19.91%	14
Robert Austin	Fairside	412,289	19.53%	7
Pat Leemore	Bragdon	393,622	18.65%	13
Brian Tyker	Riverton	312,283	14.79%	8
John DeGallio	Tolston	168,856	8.00%	0
Rob McCann	Gregorson	131,852	6.25%	6
Andrew Liang	Eastholm	121,851	5.77%	0
Kim Camden	Kinslow	112,587	5.33%	0
Rob Poldashi	Larche	37,418	1.77%	0
	Total	2,111,056
Ranked Choice Voting Results  --  Non-Binding
	Sid Hoffa	1,130,605	53.56%
	Robert Austin	980,451	46.44%