Kate Morelda appoints Lei Chan as first Chinese-Grassadellian to federal senate

ASHFORDS LANDING, Harlyne -- In a first for the state of Harlyne, Gov. Kate Morelda (N) has appointed the first minority person to represent the state in the federal senate. 

Morelda chose Lei Chan (N), a longtime, liberal member of the Winsaret Metropolitan Council (WMC), to replace former Sen. Dick Ammons, 84, a moderate Conservative who stepped down from his seat recently due to terminal cancer.

Ammons, who has served in the senate in appointed and elected roles for decades, has been ill for the last two years, but was forced to retire his seat back in January as his health declined rapidly.

The moderate Conservative from Ashford's Landing is reportedly in hospice, according to a family spokesperson.

In her appointment announcement, Morelda expressed condolences to the Ammons family, calling the former senator "an institution" and "a model leader" who frequently crossed the aisle and worked with Nationalists. 

"No one can ever replace the great Dick Ammons, and we won't even try," Morelda said at a press conference announcing Chan's appointment.

"But Lei Chan is a worthy candidate to represent our state in the senate," Morelda said. 

Chan has "proven her willingness to lead time and time again," the governor said. And Chan is "wholly committed to ensuring and championing diversity, inclusion and awareness in the federal senate," the governor added.

During her nearly two-decades on the WMC, Chan, who represented central Bourneham County, arguably the most liberal part of the state, was a fierce defender of women's and LGBTQ+ rights, stood up for minorities and labor unions, and fought for fair housing for low-income residents.

She also championed safe needle sites for people struggling with addiction, and strong environmental laws.

Her appointment to the federal senate means she will become the state's first ever minority senator, as all previous senators have been of European descent.

Chan will also become the second woman to represent Harlyne in the senate, after former Sen. Cybil Ducheffrey (N), and the first Chinese-Grassadellian from any state to serve in the federal senate.

Nationalists control the federal senate, and Chan's appointment gives them an extra seat. The balance of power will now stand at 53 Nationalists, 42 Conservatives and one Democratic-Reformist. 

However, the lone Democratic-Reformist senator, Ayden Benning of New Portsmouth, caucuses with Nationalists. So, effectively, the NAT will hold a 54-42 majority.

Appearing alongside her long-standing ally Morelda, Chan said she was "unspeakably grateful" for the opportunity, and expressed gratitude to the governor.

"Thank you so much for your trust in me. It means so much to me. I will never forget who helped me get to where I am, who helped me along the way, and of course, the wonderful people I represent," said Chan.

While Nationalists praised Chan's appointment, angry Conservatives lashed out at Morelda for appointing a liberal Nationalist to fill a Conservative-held seat.

"The people of Harlyne chose Dick Ammons to be their senator. They elected him. They didn't elect a Nationalist to his seat, they chose him. So it's only logical and reasonable that the governor should appoint another Conservative to fill Senator Ammons' seat," said state Conservative Party Chairman Mark Nadler.

"Instead, Kate Morelda, a failing liberal governor, chose to ignore the will of the voters and appoint another failed liberal to fill the seat of the great Dick Ammons. The voters picked a Conservative, Kate Morelda ignored their will and picked a hardcore liberal. The governor went against the people, and we will remind the voters of this betrayal throughout the rest of the campaign," said Nadler.

In Harlyne, there is no constitutional provision that requires the governor to appoint a replacement senator from the same political party as the senator they are replacing.

The governor is free to appoint anyone from any party or political affiliation to fill a vacancy.

So, the governor didn't violate any laws.

But her decision to appoint a replacement senator from the opposite party may backfire with voters.

Morelda is seeking re-election this fall, and some voters may be angered that she appointed a political ally to fill a senate seat instead of making appointing another Conservative.

"Her decision to appoint Lei Chan, one of the most liberal politicians in our state, to the senate is just downright a slap in the face to the people of Harlyne," former Clevey Springs Mayor Todd Kren (C) told WAFL-4 TV in an interview.

"Dick Ammons was a Conservative. The voters chose him specifically to fill that seat. Conservatives are already outnumbered here in Harlyne, and if the voters wanted another Nationalist senator, they would have chosen a Nationalist. But they didn't. They chose Dick. So it's only natural that Kate Morelda should have chosen another Conservative to fill Dick's seat," said Kren.

Morelda's choice has already fired up angry Conservatives, who are already dissatisfied with the governor's new taxes, strict environmental laws, and drug and crime policies.

"Kate, you made a BIG mistake by appointing the LIBERAL Lei Chan!" tweeted Tom Marelo, a Conservative businessman and candidate for governor, who ran against Morelda back in 2020 but lost.

Frank Kerenbury, (pronounced "Karen-bury") a former assemblyman who is also seeking the governorship as a Conservative, told WHLN-TV in Harlynee that he is "disappointed" Morelda chose a liberal to replace a Conservative-held seat.

"Dick Ammons is a good man. He's been an effective leader for our state for decades. He's a very reasonable, moderate-minded man who understands the importance of bipartisanship and bridging the political divide. And for the governor to appoint not only a Nationalist to a Conservative seat, but for her to appoint someone like Lei Chan, who is deeply partisan, bought and paid for by the Nationalist Party, who will never work with the Conservative Party...it's troubling," said Kerenbury.

"This appointment is not a step up. It's not something that should be celebrated," said Kerenbury. "It's really a sign of disrespect to the voters. Governor Morelda should have honored the will of the voters and chosen another Conservative to replace Dick Ammons."

Steve Frenitch, (C), an assemblyman from eastern Harlyne who is also running for governor, was more pointed in his criticism of Morelda.

"This governor is a wannabe dictator," Frenitch told The Goldchristian newspaper. "She thinks she can do whatever she wants, appoint whoever she wants. She has no regard for the voters or for the people of our state. She thinks she's untouchable."

Julia Giorchani, a former Conservative attorney general who is campaigning for governor, also weighed in.

"I'm beyond disappointed at Kate Morelda's decision to appoint Lei Chan to the federal senate. She should have done what's right, which is appoint another Conservative to this Conservative-held seat. Instead, she chose petty politics and political expediency over what the people want. She disregarded and dismissed what the people of Harlyne want. And they won't forget it," said Giorchani.

The governor's office fired back, reminding its critics that the governor is free to appoint anyone to a vacancy.

"Gov. Morelda did what she is constitutionally empowered to do, and that is fill a vacancy in the senate with a qualified replacement. Lei Chan is exceedingly well-qualified to hold this position. Her decades of advocacy and leadership made her a stand-out candidate for the job. And Gov. Morelda is pleased to see Senator Chan take her seat in Mavocke," said Sarah Abrams, a spokesperson for the governor's office.

Polls in Harlyne's governor's race show Morelda leading Marelo, Frenitch and Giorchani in head-to-head match-ups.

However, Morelda is either tied with or slightly trailing Kerenbury in similar polls.

It's unclear which of the four Conservative candidates she will face, but her controversial appointment will almost certainly continue to be a source of contention among all the gubernatorial candidates.

Chan is expected to be sworn-in on Monday in Mavocke.

Because Ammons was elected back in 2020, and his term is more than halfway complete, there will not be a special election to permanently fill his seat.

Instead, Chan will serve until 2026, when she will be eligible to run for re-election or can voluntarily step down, clearing the way for other candidates.

She has not indicated whether she will seek re-election in 2026.

There's also no indication of who will replace Chan on the WMC, though the strongly liberal-favoring seat is almost certainly to be filled by another Nationalist.

Ty Jaimeson says Jon Ralston 'has no balls'

PARKINS, N. Ceona -- It's been a tense past month in North Ceona.

After weeks of deliberating, federal Sen. Pete Deetch, an ardent and controversial Conservative, ultimately decided against running for governor in the 2024 election.

Deetch had been considering entering the race, which would have pitted him squarely against fellow Conservative Ty Jaimeson, the incumbent who is seeking re-election.

Jaimeson is known for his more centrist and moderate views. And that rankles hardline Conservatives like Deetch, who want a less compromising Conservative in the governor's mansion.

But after publicly toying with the idea of challenging his CNS colleague, Deetch chose not to run for governor.

His decision caused a sigh of relief within the Jaimeson campaign. 

Recent polls showed Jaimeson leading Deetch in a head-to-head primary match-up, but not by much. 

Jaimeson campaign staff and surrogates were concerned that a tense primary campaign on the CNS side could damage the governor just as he gears up for the general election. 

Or worse, they feared, the outspoken, populist Deetch could even fan the flames of Conservative voters' angst and potentially beat Jaimeson in a primary, which would give the NAT a huge advantage in the fall election.

So, Deetch's decision to bypass a run for governor this year came as welcomed news for the Jaimeson team.

Perhaps the deciding factor Deetch could have been the polling or his personal history with the governor.

Jaimeson reportedly called the senator weeks ago and urged Deetch not to run against him.

"[Jaimeson] basically told him [Deetch] that the polls show Deetch losing to Jaimeson in a primary race, and even more damaging, the polls show several of the NAT candidates beating Deetch in the fall election, should he win the primary," a Jaimeson campaign operative, who asked for anonymity, told the North Ceonan newspaper.

According to that same confidential source, Jaimeson also reminded Deetch that he supported Deetch in his re-election comeback campaign in 2022 when many other Conservatives abandoned the controversial senator.

Deetch served one term in the Senate from 2013 - 2019, but lost re-election in the fall 2018 election to Nationalist Alexis Stotter.

His loss was largely attributed to his controversial comments on women and minorities.

When Deetch sought to return to the Senate in 2022, when Stotter was up for re-election, many Conservatives declined to endorse him or campaign with him, because of his proneness to controversy.

Jaimeson stood by Deetch, however. Though Deetch is considerably further to the right than the governor, Jaimeson said, at the time, that Deetch deserved a second chance.

The governor reportedly brought his past loyalty to Deetch's attention, in an effort to dissuade Deetch from challenging him in the 2024 gubernatorial primary.

A senior source from Deetch's office confirmed the details provided to The North Ceonan by the Jaimeson campaign.

Whether it was polling or loyalty, Deetch opted not to run for governor in 2024, though he left the door open to possibly running in 2028.

His decision allows Conservatives to avoid a nasty primary battle, and is good news for the CNS, as they seek to hold onto one of their most reliably Conservative-leaning governorships.

Now, both sides say the two men have buried the hatchet. Deetch has committed to supporting Jaimeson in the fall, though the senator has publicly said he hopes Jaimeson embraces a more strongly Conservative agenda in his second term.

Behind the scenes, though, Ty Jaimeson is still fuming, sources close to the governor say -- not at Deetch, but at Federal Senate Minority Leader Jon Ralston (C-Ansleigha).

The reason?

Before confronting Deetch directly over his consideration of a gubernatorial run, Jaimeson first made a phone call to Ralston, Deetch's colleague and boss in the Federal Senate.

According to accounts from multiple sources within the Jaimeson campaign, who all asked for anonymity due to not having permission to speak to the media about sensitive matters, Jaimeson phoned Ralston back in January and asked the minority leader to lean on Deetch to stay in the Senate.

"Ty Jaimeson called Jon Ralston and told him, 'We cannot afford to lose this seat. If Pete Deetch runs against me, Conservatives will lose the governorship to the Nationalists.' And Jaimeson asked Ralston to persuade Deetch to stay in the Senate and abandon his plans to run for governor," the source told the North Ceonan.

But Ralston declined to intervene, multiple sources confirmed. The minority leader apparently told Jaimeson he understood his concerns, but that he would not get involved in the situation.

"Basically, Jon Ralston told Ty Jaimeson that he wasn't going to do anything to help. He left Jaimeson out to dry," the source said.

That didn't sit well with Jaimeson, who privately told aides Ralston "has no balls" and the senate minority leader is "afraid to confront."

But Jaimeson not only seethed privately, he also spoke out against Ralston publicly.

"Sen. Ralston and I have always had a productive, cordial relationship. As one of the top leaders of our national party, I have had frequent interactions with him, and they've always been very positive. So I was a little disappointed when he declined to help me out," Jaimeson told the North Ceonan. 

He continued: "Jon Ralston has incredible influence over his fellow Conservative senators. They respect him and respect his opinion. If he would have intervened earlier and more decisively, we could have avoided a lot of the drama and political brinksmanship that we saw over the last month. So, it is disappointing. But [Ralston] is busy with his presidential campaign, and he's busy running the Senate. So I suppose our situation here in North Ceona probably wasn't pressing enough for him," said Jaimeson.

In response, Ralston told reporters Friday that his decision not to interfere in the North Ceona governor's race was not because he's too busy or distracted.

"My decision to not intervene had nothing to do with my time or my schedule or how busy I am. Or my lack of a spine. I have no problem telling my senators what I think they should do, when appropriate. But this situation was not appropriate for me to intervene in. I'm not from North Ceona. The people of North Ceona should decide who their next governor is, not a politician in Mavocke. If Pete Deetch wanted to run for governor, or if any other senator in our caucus wanted to run, I would not dissuade them from running. I could offer my opinion, but I will never coerce someone to run or not run for a position," Ralston said Friday.

"I'm sorry that Ty Jaimeson feels that way. I have always had a positive relationship with him, and I hope that we can continue to work positively together in the future. I know he's disappointed I didn't do more to help his campaign out. But it wasn't my place. And I am not going to apologize for minding my own business and keeping my nose out of another state's affairs," Ralston added.

Ralston is currently running for president, one of over a dozen CNS candidates seeking their party's nomination for the nation's top job. He was asked by reporters if he would step down from his leadership position in the Senate to focus on his presidential campaign, but the senator said he is "more than capable" of handling both roles at the same time.

"Sen. Ralston has been an effective minority leader, and he will continue his strong stewardship of the Senate while running for president," a spokesperson for his office wrote in an email to GNN.

Becky Grael clarifies relationship with Sam Baskingwood

ELMHURST, Ans. -- Speaker of the Ansleigha State House of Representatives Becky Grael (N) is clarifying her relationship with Ansleigha Gov. Sam Baskingwood (C).

Previous news stories, including a news piece in The Regent magazine, characterized Grael's friendship with Baskingwood as highly positive.

The governor and the speaker, former foes in the 2020 governor's race, are now dear friends, the piece insinuated.

The article immediately created backlash for Grael, with left-wing activists protesting her for being too friendly with a Conservative politician.

The outcry from her fellow Nationalists has led Grael to clarify her connections to Baskingwood.

In an interview with The Ansleighan magazine, Grael said she is not friends with Baskingwood, but instead a rival.

"Sam Baskingwood and I are not friends. I want to make that clear. I need to make that clear. We are not friends," she said emphatically.

"We are friendly, we are respectful to each other, we conduct ourselves with professionalism and mutual respect for the other's office and constitutional duties, but we are not friends," she clarified.

"A lady wrote this piece on me and the governor a few months ago, and ever since then, people think the governor and I are meeting for tea every week and going to each other's houses for dinner parties and sending each other notes of encouragement. And that's not true." 

"I do go to the governor's mansion to see him, but only in a professional capacity as speaker of the state house, not as a friend or a social call. And while I am friendly to him, I don't consider him a friend. He's a rival. He's a political opponent. He's a thorn in my side, with his policies that are diametrically opposed to mine. We do not see eye-to-eye. We do not agree. Sometimes we are able to find a compromise, but it's professional courtesy, not personal admiration," she said.

She continued, saying that she abhors Baskingwood's policies that "favor the rich and harm everyday Ansleighans."

And she can't be friends with someone who does not believe in full citizenship for undocumented immigrants, she said. Baskingwood has made clear his opposition to granting citizenship to undocumented immigrants, especially those who have committed violent crimes or not worked.

That said, Grael did say she and Baskingwood respect each other as political rivals. And the governor did send an encouraging note to her when her mother was ill with terminal cancer.

"We aren't friends, but we are human. And he did send me a very kind note, which was very thoughtful of him. That doesn't mean we are bosom buddies," she said.

She did admit that the two, while political foes, try to one-up the other.

"I've screwed him a few times, and I've rubbed it in his face. And he's pulled the carpet out from under me a few times, and he always gloats about it too," she said. "So we do have a friendly rivalry, a mutual respect for the other's political savviness. But friends? I think that's going too far."

Baskingwood's office was contacted for comment, and a spokeswoman for the governor said that, while the two politicians are political challengers, the governor continues to view Grael as a friend.

"Gov. Baskingwood is saddened to hear that Becky Grael does not consider him a friend. He always has and continues to consider her a friend, and will continue to treat her with the utmost respect and professionalism, no matter what," said Angela Marktz, Deputy Press Secretary for the governor's office.

Grael ended her interview with The Ansleighan by saying she is "all in" on supporting whoever the NAT nominee for governor is in the 2024 election.

There is "absolutely no way" Grael will support Baskingwood for reelection, she said.

Jaimeson leads all NAT challengers, but is losing some Conservative voters: polls

PARKINS, N. Ceona -- As he gears up for his reelection bid, North Ceona Gov. Ty Jaimeson is in a strong position, according to new polling.

Jaimeson, first elected in 2020, leads all of his eight NAT challengers, most by a comfortable margin, though a few do come close to running even with him.

However, that same set of polling data found that while Jaimeson does well with independent voters and even pulls some moderate NAT voters, he is struggling with the state's far-right Conservative voters, who are disillusioned with his more centrist policies and positions.

The trend is most notable in the state's most conservative counties, which cover a swath of rural desert terrain, miles way from the more diverse metro areas of Parkins, Lexerna or Berwick.

In those jurisdictions, many right-wing voters simply can't stomach voting for Jaimeson, who they feel is a "faux Conservative," that is, too liberal for the Conservative Party.

Still, despite losing some of the most ardent Conservative voters, Jaimeson is well-positioned heading into the November 2024 election. He is not facing any fellow Conservative challengers in the primary election, and most of his NAT opponents are little-known and first-time candidates for statewide office.

Sen. Elizabeth Graham, who narrowly lost to Jaimeson back in 2024, has declined to run again this year, as has former state Attorney General John Ennis.

Senators Anthony Campanelli (N) and Wendy MacDonald (N) also declined to challenge Jaimeson, and former Sen. Alexis Stotter also ruled out a run.

That's left eight NAT candidates who are relatively unknown. The most prominent name in the race so far is state Senate Minority Leader Tom Muddleford, who previously ran for governor in 2020 but lost to Graham and Ennis in the primary. Muddleford came in third place in that contest.

Muddleford is the best-known candidate on the NAT side, yet his polling numbers are not as favorable as some of his opponents. His strong personality and his history of refusing to compromise with fellow state legislators are a turn-off to many voters, polling shows.

The latest Jaimeson-Muddleford poll conducted in early January found Muddleford trailing the incumbent governor by seven points (46% - 53%).

So far, the NAT's best-polling candidate is Forward Industries CEO Susie Forzsak (pronounced "For-Zack").

Forward Industries is an aeronautics company that makes parts for large commercial aircraft. Forzsak, who lives in the far eastern Parkins suburbs of affluent Mantionne County, has never ran for office before, and is little-known outside of state NAT Party circles.

However, Forzsak has already been running television ads statewide promoting her candidacy and her friendship with some of the state's top NAT leaders, including Graham and MacDonald.

Forzsak has made the economy and bringing living-wage jobs to North Ceona a central part of her campaign, while other candidates in the race have made labor and race relations their central themes.

In a head-to-head match up, Forzsak trails Jaimeson by just two points, according to a poll from the North Ceonan newspaper.

Also a leading contender against Jaimeson is Lexerna businessman John Thurgood, a self-made millionaire who founded and runs his own logistics company. Thurgood trails Jaimeson by a similar margin, according to the polls.

State Sen. Tom Denton, of north-central Parkins, is also a leading candidate, though his polling numbers fall far shorter against Jaimeson (45% - 53%).

Fellow State Sen. Katie Pollock of south Parkins comes closer to Jaimeson (48% - 51%), while businessman Blair Elliott of Lexerna also comes within shouting distance (47% - 52%).

Arab-Grassadellian community organizer and journalist Sajid Roushan garners 46% to Jaimeson's 53%, respectively, while State Sen. Lisa Campion of Cape Goodwin has the lowest numbers against Jaimeson, 45% - 54%, respectively. 

The numbers show the race is far from a clinch for Jaimeson. However, the popular, young governor will be difficult for Nationalists to unseat.

In his first term, he's made education, business, low taxes, and the environment chief areas of focus for his administration. He's also acutely followed crime and homelessness in the Parkins metro area, which has seen a spike in crime and homeless activity in recent years.

Another advantage for Jaimeson is his side job of running the Conservative Party's nationwide gubernatorial campaign strategies. As the chair of CGA, he is personally responsible for recruiting top-notch CNS candidates for governor in all 24 states, and that position gives him easy access to wealthy donors and party elites.

Jaimeson is sitting on a $4.6 million campaign bank account, at the moment. His NAT challengers are starting from virtually ground zero, in terms of fundraising.

But North Ceona is a fickle state, often delivering narrow wins for both parties. Previously firmly in the Conservative Party's column, the state, in recent years, has become a battleground, with both parties holding nearly equal strength.

The state continues to lean to the CNS, but many moderate and independent voters who break for both parties have the ability to sway elections into the NAT's favor. While the NAT has never won a governor's race in North Ceona, three of the state's current four federal senators are from the NAT.

And even an unsuccessful run against Jaimeson could still be helpful for aspiring NAT candidates.

A loss in 2024 could still provide much-needed name recognition and donor networking, which could help a losing candidate rebuild and grow in strength for a future run for office.

It's a race that will be worth watching for, analysts say. Longtime veteran pollster Dr. Kerry Rudgely from Dulkalow University currently rates the race as a CNS-favored, which means the race is favoring the CNS but could become more competitive with the right NAT candidate.

In the NAT primary race, Muddleford continues to lead the field, although with eight candidates in the mix, several of whom are great fundraisers, the NAT nomination is far from certain.

Carten says future run for office 'unlikely'

LUNDEN PLAINS, WEL -- Former Wellington Gov. Pierre Carten told a Wellington radio host Friday it's 'unlikely' he will run for governor again.

Speaking to Wellington Public Radio in Lunden Plains, the former NAT governor cast doubt on a future run for office after two unsuccessful candidacies.

"When you've lost twice, what you notice is that supporters are harder to come by. Endorsements are harder to come by. Donations and funds are harder to come by," said Carten. "People want to support a winner, not a loser. So if you've lost twice, like I have now, it's much more difficult to convince the donors and the party leadership that you're the right guy for the job."

His response came to a question about his political future from host Mike McGee.

"Do you envision yourself running for elected office again?" McGee asked.

Carten said he wouldn't entirely rule out running for governor again, or for federal senate, or even for president.

"I never say 'never.' But is it likely? Probably not," said Carten.

His announcement is disappointing news for Wellington Nationalists, who view Carten as one of the party's statesmen and elders, even though he's only 53 years old.

The only NAT governor in Wellington history, Carten served just one-and-a-half terms from 2009 - 2015, before being replaced by Conservative Wade Quanson in 2015.

Carten ran again for governor in 2022, narrowly losing to Conservative Bob Kozzy by less than 40,000 votes out of more than 5 million cast.

Many Nationalists are hoping Carten will run again in 2026, when Kozzy is up for re-election. But for Carten, that's a long time.

"I have to make a living. I can't just be a full-time politician," he said with a laugh. "But we'll see when the time comes around."

In the meantime, Carten has gone back to a part-time teaching job at the University of Wellington--Lunden Plains.

He also works part-time as a lawyer for the private firm Nellis, Haddock and Ingles in Lunden Plains.

The former governor still travels the country to campaign for fellow Nationalists. And occasionally, he even gives a paid speech, sometimes getting paid $100,000 or more (he won't disclose exactly how much he gets paid for speaking gigs).

But for now, he is not focused on elected office, but instead on his current work and his family.

"There are so many other things to life than politics. People forget you have a family, you have a spouse, you have a personal life. And when you're a politician, you sacrifice so much of those things. So I'm excited to get back to enjoying my family and spending time with them and doing the things I love to do," Carten told McGee.

"I'm very blessed," he added.

Emaria will not run for Harlyne governor

FORESTVIEW, HLN -- In a blow to state and national Conservatives, Harlyne Attorney General Julio Emaria will not run for governor in 2024, he announced yesterday.

The state and national parties had pinned their hopes on Emaria challenging incumbent Gov. Kate Morelda in the 2024 race, especially since Emaria previously beat Morelda in a previous race for attorney general back in 2016.

But the two-term attorney general will not seek the governorship in 2024, he said Friday.

"While I am flattered that many people, many important people, have asked me to run for governor, this is not the right time for me or my family," he said.

Emaria will not be seeking re-election to the attorney generalship either, he said.

"I need a break from politics. My time in the AG's office has been great, and we've done a lot of great work for Harlynians. I'm very proud of that work. But now it's time for me to get back into the private sector and start a new chapter," he said.

He did not disclose what exactly his "new chapter" in the private sector would entail, although sources close to Emaria say he is likely to re-enter private law practice or to take a job as a CEO at a major organization or corporation.

By stepping aside, Emaria is clearing a path for the other Conservative gubernatorial candidates.

Emaria was seen as the favorite candidate, favored especially by state and national party leaders. His ability to satisfy the right-wing of the party, as well as the moderate center, was seen as an asset.

But now, Emaria's exit from the race leaves open the way for other candidates, like Assemblyman Frank Kerenbury, former Attorney General Julia Giorchani, and former gubernatorial nominee Tom Marelo.

Marelo announced his third attempt at the governorship months ago -- he was the first candidate to enter the race on the CNS side.

Kerenbury has yet to formally announce a bid, but is expected to do so soon. Giorchani immediately announced her candidacy after Emaria bowed out Friday.

Also considering a run are H-TEL CEO Rich Tuller, Assemblyman Steve Frenitch from eastern Harlyne, and WEST Council member Ann Magiscanti, the wife of Federal Sen. Bourret Magiscanti.

In hypothetical match-ups polling, Morelda leads all Conservative contenders by varying degrees -- except Kerenbury and Emaria. She tied both men with 49% apiece.

Harlyne is a liberal-leaning state, so any Conservative candidate faces an uphill battle. But moderate Conservatives, such as Sen. Bourret Magiscanti and former governor-turned-Senator George Garesby, have found success among Harlyne's sizable swing voters.

With Emaria out of the race, CNS party leaders are likely to rally around Kerenbury, another noted moderate candidate whom party leaders believe could knock off Morelda in next year's election showdown.

But Kerenbury will have a battle winning the party's nomination. As a moderate, he has struggled to win over the more right-wing voters of the party, who dominate the primary electorate.

Emaria declined to endorse anyone in his press conference Friday afternoon. But sources close to him say he is likely to back Kerenbury or Giorchani.

The Morelda campaign has not commented on Emaria's announcement, but a campaign spokesperson said the announcement will not change the campaign's strategy.

"Governor Morelda is not taking this race for granted or being complacent. She knows she must convince the voters to re-hire her in 2024, and with her strong record of accomplishment and her strong progressive values, she's confident the voters will hire her again," the spokesperson said in a written statement.

Emaria hesitant to challenge Morelda for Harlyne governorship: sources

FORESTVIEW, HLN -- All eyes in Harlyne political circles this week are on state Attorney General Julio Emaria and Assemblyman Frank Kerenbury.

Both men are considering running for governor next year, in what would surely be a hard-fought match against incumbent Gov. Kate Morelda (N).

Emaria already beat Morelda back in 2016, when the little known Conservative newcomer inched past the progressive Morelda by the narrowest of margins (51% - 49%). Morelda was seeking a second term as attorney general at the time, and the election was so close, a recount was needed.

After the heart-breaking defeat in 2016, Morelda ran for governor in 2020 and won, easily dispatching Conservative businessman and Christian activist Tom Marelo.

That same year (2020), Emaria won re-election as attorney general over a little-known NAT opponent. 

He's now wrapping up his second term in the AG's office, and hopeful Conservatives are encouraging him to challenge Morelda again in 2024, when she runs for re-election as Harlyne's governor.

But sources close to Emaria -- who did not want to be named because they were concerned speaking to the media would damage their relationship with the attorney general -- told the Harlyne Sun newspaper that Emaria is reluctant to challenge Morelda for the governorship.

While Morelda is loathed by Conservatives, she is widely popular among liberal and progressive circles. And her approval rating, at last check, was at 57 percent.

After eking out a win against Morelda back in 2016, Emaria is reportedly hesitant to run against Morelda a second time, fearing another close race. Or worse -- losing to his old rival.

"Julio beat Kate back in 2016, but just barely. He remembers how close that race was. And she's fairly popular now. Not with Conservative voters, but with the NAT and independent voters, she's fairly solid. He's concerned that if he runs against Kate again, he may lose. And then he'll forever be another also-ran," said one source, who asked for anonymity so as to speak candidly.

Another source, who works in the governor's office, told the Sun that "Julio feels right now that he has the upper hand. He beat Kate Morelda seven years ago. He won, she lost. If he runs again and this time he loses, then he won't be as popular or respected as he is now," the source said.

"Right now, everyone talks about him as the only person who has ever beat Kate Morelda. He's kind of seen as a giant-slayer. But if he runs again and loses, then all that clout, all that notoriety, all that fame and success goes out the window," the source added.

Emaria himself has been reluctant to discuss his political future. Earlier this week, a gaggle of reporters in the state capital building rotunda followed Emaria as he walked down an empty corridor. When asked about his future political plans, he told reporters he had nothing to say.

"I'm looking at all the options," he said, as he ducked into a state Senate committee meeting.

On Friday, after news of Emaria's political conundrum leaked, state Sen. Kevin Zandevin (C-Hollis) defended Emaria, telling reporters that the attorney general would 'welcome' another head-to-head match up with Morelda.

"Julio's the only person who has beat Kate Morelda. He's the only one who's done it. We know he can do it, he did it before. So there's no doubt about his ability to win. He's not afraid of Kate Morelda," Zandevin said.

He quickly backtracked, saying he couldn't "speak for Julio," and that the decision to run for governor "is a decision Julio and his family will have to make, and we owe it to them to give them the time and space to make that decision."

But there may be another reason Emaria is dragging his feet on running for governor.

Other sources tell The Harlyne Sun that Emaria does not want to eclipse Assemblyman Frank Kerenbury, who has publicly expressed his interest in running for governor.

Kerenbury (pronounced "Karen-bury"), has served as an assemblyman from southwest Harlyne for over a decade, and the moderate assemblyman reportedly wanted to seek the governorship years earlier, but declined because then-Conservative frontrunner George Garesby was seeking the state's highest office.

"Everybody knows that Frank Kerenbury wants to be the next governor," said a confidential Conservative source in an interview with the Sun. "So I think Julio is maybe a bit cautious, a bit hesitant to jump in the race and step on Frank's toes."

Kit Gaffney, a Conservative strategist who spoke on the record with the Sun, said some Conservative politicians in Harlyne feel 2024 is Kerenbury's 'time.'

"A lot of people feel like Frank Kerenbury is getting up there. He's in his 60's. He's waited patiently for a chance to run for governor. This is his time, this is his moment to shine, and there is some apprehension by other top-name people to jump in the race, out of respect for Frank. People feel like they should demur and let Frank have his moment," Gaffney said.

Emaria told the media earlier this week he has 'the utmost respect' for Kerenbury, and Kerenbury exchanged the kind words, telling The Mavocke Capitol newspaper that he considers Emaria a 'friend as well as a colleague.'

And indeed, both men are known to be on friendly terms with each other, though a possible primary election race between the two could change their friendship.

Kerenbury has not officially announced plans to seek the governorship, but he has stated in the past he would be open to the possibility. And he's been openly critical of Nationalist policies at the state level.

But so far, the only candidates officially in the race for governor on the Conservative side are Tom Marelo, who lost to Morelda in 2020, and Rich Tuller, the CEO of H-Tel. Libertarian businessman Craig Boden is also considering a run, but has not officially thrown his hat into the ring.

Recent polling shows all three men fall far short of beating Morelda.

However, a poll conducted this week by the University of Harlyne found both Julio Emaria and Frank Kerenbury tied with Morelda in separate head-to-head match ups.

For now, the Harlyne Conservative Party is split between those who favor Emaria and those who favor Kerenbury. There's also a substantial third group, perhaps even larger than the pro-Emaria and pro-Kerenbury factions, who favor someone else more right-wing.

While Emari's policies and record is considerably to the right of Kerenbury's, both men are viewed as "too moderate" by the Conservative Party's hardline right voters.

Those folks may favor Marelo or Boden, who are the most right-wing candidates who have emerged.

Assemblyman Steve Frenitch is also considering a bid for governor, and as a strong Conservative, he too could win over the hard-right faction of the party.

Party leaders, however, including former Governor and current Senator George Garesby, are hoping the party and its voters quickly coalesce around their gubernatorial nominee, whoever it ends up being.

The goal is not just to make Morelda a one-term governor, but to undo the liberal policies she and her allies in the state legislature have enacted in recent years, according to Conservative activists.

"When all the dust settles, what really matters is not so much who our CNS candidate is, but getting rid of Morelda and her minions," said Conservative activist Shannon White, who spoke with the Sun.

"We want Harlyne to become the next Ansleigha...a blue state that turns red and vanquishes liberals. That's our goal," she stated with determination.

Grael gets along well with Baskingwood, but will support his NAT opponent

ELMHURST, Asl. -- The Nationalist speaker of Ansleigha's House of Representatives says although she has a 'good working relationship' with Conservative Governor Sam Baskingwood, she will not endorse the incumbent governor in the 2024 election.

Grael, who ran unsuccessfully against Baskingwood back in the 2020 race for governor, made the comments in an interview with Ansleigha Public Radio (APR). 

She told host Megan Allexis that she and Baskingwood have found a way to get along, despite their past rivalry and ongoing political differences.

"Do I agree with everything Sam Baskingwood does or all the policies he espouses? No, absolutely not. We disagree often and vehemently. But we get along well," she told APR.

"He listens when I speak. I listen when he speaks. His staff have a good working relationship with my staff. When I need to talk to him, he and his staff make time. There are times we can't agree and we're at an impasse. But usually, we can negotiate a compromise. We have a good working relationship."

Indeed, while the two may get along well, they have had real differences of opinion on key issues.

Baskingwood balked when Grael and her fellow Nationalists attempted to raise the state's minimum wage to $16 per hour. The measure failed in the Conservative-controlled state Senate, and Baskingwood vowed not to sign it into law if it passed both houses of the legislature.

The two also rammed heads over a proposed tax to help fund early childhood development and free pre-school in the state.

Grael and her NAT colleagues championed the proposal, and engaged in a fervent publicity campaign. But the governor refused to budge.

But on other issues, the two have found common ground, or at least compromise.

When Conservative state lawmakers wanted to completely scrap the state's gas tax to fund roads, Baskingwood sided with Grael and struck down the idea.

When the two parties couldn't agree in the legislature on a state budget, the governor and speaker sat down together and personally went through the state budget line by line, finding common areas and projects they were comfortable cutting or amending.

"We do have a positive working relationship," Baskingwood told APR, when contacted for comment on this story. "Like Becky said, we do often disagree. And sometimes our disagreements are very serious and very intense. But we both recognize it's in the interest of both of us and also the people of Ansleigha to negotiate and find common ground when we can."

"Sometimes you can negotiate, sometimes you can't. But more often than not we can, and I attribute that to our mutual respect for each other. I don't always agree with Becky, but I respect her expertise on issues in the legislature, and we both respect each other's position and constitutional authority," the governor added.

Still, even though the two work well together and consider each other friends, as they both told APR, Grael made it clear she is not endorsing Baskingwood for a second term when he runs for re-election in 2024.

"I like Sam, I respect him. But I still am a Nationalist, I still believe in Nationalist values, and I think our state would be better served by a strong, pro-union, pro-labor, pro-environment NAT governor," she said.

Earlier this year, she announced she would not run for governor again in 2024, clearing the way for another Nationalist to carry the party's torch into the 2024 election campaign season.

While she has not endorsed any candidate yet, she pledged to support the party's eventual nominee.

"I'm not sure who I support yet, to be honest," she told APR. "I think we have a lot of really well-qualified candidates on the NAT side, a lot of passionate progressives who believe in protecting the environment, who believe in funding education and health care and having a safety net for vulnerable people. Whether it's Paul Biddington, or Paris Westerman, or Agatha Houndsley, or whoever it ends up being, I know the NAT will offer the people of Ansleigha a strong candidate and a compelling case for people to vote NAT," she said.

Baskingwood, who already announced his intention to seek re-election, is hoping voters will stick with him for another four years.

"In the last three years, we've done a lot for Ansleigha. We've reformed education so our kids can graduate from high school and be prepared for employment in the adult world. We've lowered taxes, we've reformed health care policies that hurt working class people, we've reduced state bureaucracy, and most importantly, we've gotten violent criminals off the streets and kept them in jail," he said.

Some statistics do point to a reduction in recidivism during the past few years, but critics say it's not Baskingwood's policies that are responsible for the reduction in crime, but instead social factors, such as people going back to work after a long period of high unemployment during COVID-19 shutdowns.

Before he reaches the general election in fall 2024, Baskingwood will also have to navigate the CNS primary election.

His former CNS opponent, car dealership owner Lou Gibbs, has promised to challenge Baskingwood for the party's nomination again in 2024.

Gibbs, an avid supporter of former US President Donald Trump, campaigned against Baskingwood back in 2020, running strongly to the right of Baskingwood, and painting the eventual governor as weak and insufficiently conservative.

Gibbs has been openly and frequently critical of Baskingwood during his tenure, and may seek to rally the far-right of the party and oust Baskingwood from the ticket in 2024.

The governor is not scared of a rematch, Baskingwood spokesman Tyler Denver told APR.

"Sam Baskingwood soundly defeated Lou Gibbs in 2020, and after a record of strong achievement over the past three years, Sam Baskingwood will defeat Lou Gibbs soundly again, if Mr. Gibbs runs," said Denver.

"The governor is focusing on the general election in fall 2024, and planning to present Ansleighans with a clear, conservative, common-sense agenda," added Denver.

In his re-election campaign, Baskingwood has focused on many of the talking points and campaign themes his predecessor, former Conservative Gov. Dale Lindstrom, focused on during his eight years in office.

Nationalists are hoping to elect their first governor since statehood.

Since Ansleigha became a state, Nationalists have never won a gubernatorial election.

"We're hoping to change that," Grael told APR. "It's time for a change. The people of Ansleigha know it and we are going to do everything we can to bring that change next November."

Senate easily confirms Mona Rodgers as next Secretary of State

MAVOCKE -- Former Roddenshire Gov. Mona Rodgers sailed through Senate confirmation Monday, after her formal nomination for Secretary of State by President Jim McCaren.

Rodgers received broad bipartisan support, with 83 senators voting to confirm her and only 13 voting against.

The 13 senators who voted against confirmation were hardline Conservatives.

All 52 Nationalist senators voted for her, along with 31 Conservatives.

Appearing at an impromptu press conference immediately following the vote, Rodgers thanked Senators for their support and pledged to 'hit the ground running.'

"Our national security issues don't take a day off. And I won't either. I have been preparing for this role ever since President McCaren asked me to accept it, and I will work from this moment forward to put our national interests first and to advocate for peace and freedom around the world," she said.

Rodgers nomination was a rare moment in the Senate. Both Majority Leader Debbie Madronas (N-Damoign) and Minority Leader Jon Ralston (C-Ansleigha) voted to confirm her.

"It's very rare that Debbie Madronas and I agree on anything, but we were both happy to vote to confirm Mona Rodgers," said Ralston as a press conference he held jointly with Madronas.

He added that while Rodgers' politics are 'very different' from his own, he was impressed when he met with her.

"Would I have voted for Mona Rodgers for governor of Roddenshire? No, I would not have. But she was nominated for Secretary of State, and when it came to national security issues and foreign policy, I was impressed with her breadth of knowledge and with her answers."

Ralston said he won't always agree with Rodgers' positions, and with the policies of the McCaren administration.

"But she is qualified and in my opinion, she's a step up from her predecessor," he said, referring to outgoing Secretary of State Joseph Milhaughley.

Madronas also praised Rodgers, saying she is a 'born diplomat.'

"Mona has brought people together from day one of her political career. She is a uniter, she is someone who finds common ground. She is perfect for the position of Secretary of State, where diplomacy is key."

Collester also thanked the members of the Senate for their support of Rodgers' nomination.

"I want to thank not just our NAT senators but also the 31 Conservative senators who crossed party lines to support a qualified and eager nominee," McCaren said in a press conference.

Meanwhile, while the opposition to Rodgers' confirmation was small, it was vocal in some circles.

Sen. Bob Mellon (C-Wilkonshire) called Rodgers 'deeply unqualified' for the nation's top diplomatic role. He said her 'pacifist NAT policies will make Grassadellia weaker.'

Fellow Wilkonshire Sen. Liam Rekvar (C) also spoke vocally against Rodgers, saying she is 'another soft Nationalist who will coddle dictators and continue the status quo of appeasement.'

Rodgers did not respond to the criticism, choosing to remain positive in light of her historic confirmation.

She is the third woman to serve as Secretary of State, after Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett and Donna Almone. 

Poll shows Trinton's Dorothy Grischaltz vulnerable for re-election

WILLIAMSTOWN, Tri. -- A new poll released Monday shows bad news for Trinton Sen. Dorothy Grischaltz as she gears up for re-election in 2024.

The poll, conducted by the Golden Shore Tribune newspaper in conjunction with the University of Trinton, finds Grischaltz trailing her Conservative opponent, former fighter pilot Mack Anderson.

In the poll, Anderson receives nearly 52% of support, while Grischaltz, a self-proclaimed socialist, receives only 47.5 percent, respectively.

Grischaltz, a former progressive Liberal Democrat turned Nationalist, served decades in the National Assembly before winning her Senate seat in 2018. That year, she beat Conservative Kelsey Frascanio by a comfortable 54%-41% margin.

This time around, Anderson is the Conservative frontrunner. Unlike Trinton's open governor's race, where no incumbent is running and dozens of candidates have expressed interest in running, other Conservative candidates have been reticent to challenge Grischaltz, who has long been viewed as unbeatable.

This new poll pours cold water on that theory of untouchability.

Anderson is a young, up-and-coming member of the Conservative party. A former fighter pilot and veteran of the Afghanistan War, he is popular among CNS voters and scores well among independent voters too.

Anderson previously ran for the Senate back in 2020, falling short of beating NAT incumbent Tim Blakewell. In that race, Anderson took 46% to Blakewell's 51%, respectively.

But both Conservative and Nationalist party insiders say Grischaltz, despite her reputation as being unbeatable, is actually more vulnerable to defeat.

As a far-left politician, she has fared well in historically left-leaning Trinton over the decades. However, at 74 years old, her age is a turn off to some voters. And Grischaltz's extreme far-left positions on certain issues like taxes, government spending, and the environment make her less palatable to many moderate or left-leaning but centrist voters.

Anderson, meanwhile, pulls strong support from the Conservative party base. At the same time, he is moderate on many divisive issues, which allows him to pull support from independent and centrist historically NAT voters.

He's done his best to dodge thorny social issues like abortion and transgender rights. When asked in the past, Anderson has given vague, general answers, saying he supports both the rights of women and young transgender students, but also the rights of fathers, unborn children, and parents of transgender children.

His more moderate stances and unclear answers have allowed him to sidestep many of the hot-button issues that have dogged other Conservative candidates.

It also helps that Anderson is much less extreme than previous Conservative candidates in Trinton, like Randy Kalamaza or Eddie Cazzini, who both previously ran for Senate.

Still, it's more than a year before next year's election, and supporters of Grischaltz say the senator has delivered for Trintonians.

"Dorothy has brought much-needed money to our state, she has fought to protect the environment, she has been staunchly anti-war. When I hear people say she is too 'far-left,' I laugh, because Trinton is a blue state. Trintonians are liberal, and she is very much in the liberal mainstream," says Sean Turnbull, an NAT political consultant who has worked with Grischaltz for more than 20 years.

Conservatives sense an opportunity, though.

The state CNS party has had multiple failures back-to-back in recent elections. Currently, the Conservative party only holds one of Trinton's four federal Senate seats. And the party holds no state level offices.

With the 2024 election looming, the Conservative party is seeking to reverse their fortunes. With an open governor's race, the party is hoping to capture the governor's mansion for the first time since statehood. And they're looking to re-take the lieutenant governorship and secretary of state position they previously held.

The party would also like to increase its share of Trinton's National Assembly seats. 

It will be a tall order for a state party that has seen clashes between the more moderate faction of the party, which includes the party's patriarch Sen. George Reedsworth, and the more right-wing faction, which includes many of the unsuccessful Conservative candidates whom have ran in the past.

Mack Anderson falls somewhere in between those two factions, or perhaps in an overlapping circle that encompasses both groups.

Supporters say he is conservative enough to satisfy the right-wing base, but also moderate enough to appeal to independent and even disaffected NAT voters.

The 43-year-old is also a prolific fundraiser. He currently has $1.8 million in the bank already, even before he's officially announced his candidacy.

Grischaltz, with strong support from the left-wing, is also likely to raise a lot of money. She's popular not just among her base in Trinton but also nationally, as one of the most progressive senators to date. She will likely use that national popularity as leverage to gain donations.

However, her pledge to avoid corporate campaign donations may severely limit her fundraising abilities, if she adheres to her promise.

For now, the race is worth watching, says Dr. Kerry Rudgley, chair of Dulkalow University's School of Government.

He's currently rating the race as a 'toss-up.'

Andrew Martinek announces bid for Roddenshire governor

LACARTHY, Rodd. -- Former Roddenshire Attorney General Andrew Martinek (N) announced today that he will seek the state's governorship next year.

Martinek previously served as Attorney General, a position he held until January 2021, after being narrowly defeated by Conservative Scott Bracken.

At age 44, the young Nationalist from Lacarthy remains the NAT's top candidate to reclaim the governor's mansion from Conservative Gov. Jon Cortano.

Martinek had long been rumored to be considering a run for governor, but he waited to announce his campaign until former Gov. Mona Rodgers (N) deferred.

Rodgers is set to be nominated by President Jim McCaren for federal Secretary of State, opening what is likely to be a clear path for NAT's gubernatorial nomination for Martinek.

At a press conference on the steps of the Earl E. Manion Federal Courthouse in Lacarthy, where he began his career as a deputy federal prosecutor, Martinek said he is running for governor because leadership is lacking under the current administration. He placed particular fault on the incumbent Cortano for failing to reach an agreement with Damoign's state government on building a bridge to span Naylin Bay.

"The Cortano-Chen administration has had three years to get a bridge planned, they haven't done it. They promised to get traffic congestion under control and they haven't. They promised better test scores in our public schools and they haven't delivered on it. On issue after issue, the Cortano-Chen administration has failed," said Martinek.

In place of the current policies, he promised to increase funding for alternative public transportation and state schools. And he pledged to reach an agreement with neighboring Damoign on a bridge within 90 days of taking office.

No other Nationalists have announced a campaign for governor yet, although former federal Sen. Vince Montimado and former Lt. Gov. Peter Orr have not ruled out running.

The Cortano campaign panned Martinek's announcement, calling it 'ironic' that the former Attorney General chose a courthouse to unveil his campaign.

"It's ironic that Andrew Martinek chose the steps of a federal courthouse to announce his campaign for governor, considering he has never taken a tough stance on criminals during his career. As a prosecutor, Andrew Martinek almost always offered violent criminals shorter sentences than they deserved or the law allowed. He made plea agreements with some of the most dangerous criminals on the streets. And he downplayed and overlooked violent crime as Attorney General. He even supported releasing dangerous felons from prison earlier than they were scheduled to be released," said the Cortano campaign statement.

"Andrew Martinek is a criminal's best friend," it added.

It is true Martinek did offer plea agreements and shorter sentences to convicted criminals during his tenure as a prosecutor. It's also true he did support the release of some convicted felons, including some who were convicted of serious crimes against persons. However, Martinek justified those actions by saying each case had mitigating circumstances, and that the accused and convicted showed remorse for their crimes and hopes for rehabilitation.

A new poll released by the University of Roddenshire shows Martinek leading Cortano in a hypothetical match up. The poll finds Martinek receiving 50.8% to Cortano's 48.0%, with 1.2% choosing a minor party or write-in candidate. The margin of error is +/- three points.

Milhaughly to resign from Secretary of State post

MAVOCKE -- The political world was abuzz Friday afternoon, as word of the pending resignation of Secretary of State Joseph Milhaughly was making its way around the media and inside circles in Mavocke.

Milhaughly, a former Nationalist senator from Marchenay who specialized in foreign affairs, has reportedly clashed with President Jim McCaren and his senior foreign policy team, sources inside Collester said Friday.

The secretary and the executive team reached an impasse, those sources said. Those who spoke to the media asked to remain anonymous since they were not permitted to publicly discuss internal matters.

Milhaughly was appointed to the position back in February 2022, as tensions between Russia and Ukraine came to a boil.

There's no official word on when Milhaughly will step down or who will replace him.

However, rumors are circulating online and through the capitol that former Roddenshire Gov. Mona Rodgers (N), whom McCaren appointed as Ambassador at Large last year, may be tapped for the top position.

Rodgers was toying with seeking Roddenshire's governorship again, or possibly seeking a Senate seat. If she is nominated for and accepts the position of Secretary of State, she would have to pass on an immediate run for elected office.

There has been no confirmation, though, of Rodgers' possible nomination. Sources close to the president say he has a good rapport with Rodgers. The two are longtime allies, and at age 74, she is unlikely to be influenced by political ambition like other possible nominees might be, something the president reportedly values.

Collester has declined to comment officially. A spokesperson for the president's office only said Friday that the president is "beyond grateful" for Milhaughly's service to the government.

This story is developing and will continue to be updated as new information arises.

Rosamond Burkes says she won't run for Ansleigha governor in 2024 -- not yet, anyway

CARLINEGAN, Ansleigha -- Outspoken coal and oil heiress Rosamond Burkes, who previously upended elections for federal senate and governor in Ansleigha, has said she will not mount another bid for governor in 2024.

Burkes, who has long-bedeviled politicians from both parties, said she will reluctantly stand down in 2024.

"I thought long and hard about running for governor again," she told the NPF. "I'm not totally pleased with 'Sell-out Sam' or with the NAT candidates. But I think it's better if I stay out of this one and save my energy for the next fight."

Burkes previously ran for governor in 2020 as a Nationalist, then changed her affiliation to "Independent."

In that contest, she placed third with 26 percent, while Nationalist Becky Grael took 34 percent, and Conservative Sam Baskingwood took 35 percent. 

She has been openly critical of Baskingwood, whom she calls 'Sell-out Sam.' 

She's also taken aim at Nationalist politicians for what she considers their soft-on-crime policies.

"I still believe both parties in this state are broken and need to be fixed. And the only way we can fix them is by a third-party candidate like me, or someone else, beating them. That's the only way to get their attention. By defeating them at the ballot box," she told the NPF.

While Burkes has never officially been affiliated with the Conservative Party, she appeals to many rural, populist, and tough-on-crime voters who traditionally support the CNS.

Her record on environmental issues is mixed. She's on record mocking climate change activists, and her oil and coal companies have been cited for pollution violations by the federal department of environmental protection.

But she's also donated money to stop deforestation and to help protect endangered species.

And on abortion rights, Burkes has been outspokenly in favor of a woman's right to choose.

In 2020, Burkes considered running as a Conservative for governor. But she ultimately chose to run as a Nationalist, citing her life-long membership in the party.

When polls showed she would lose the NAT nomination, she switched her affiliation to "Independent" and launched a third-party campaign.

Polls show she mostly siphoned votes from Baskingwood. However, her pro-workers rights policies and her abortion rights stance also won her support from traditional NAT voters too.

As the 2024 governor's race looms, candidates in both parties were once again concerned the unpredictable and volatile Burkes would run again and act as a "spoiler" candidate.

But those concerns have subsided, for now. 

Many political leaders from both sides fear Burkes, who is known for her rash decision-making and her penchant for surprise, may change her mind.

"If she runs for governor again, she probably won't win, but she will certainly be a force to contend with. She'll take votes from both sides, which means whoever wins will win with 33 percent or 35 percent or 40 percent instead of a majority or a strong plurality," Al Greenfield, a veteran NAT campaign strategist, told the NPF.

When asked if she would reconsider and jump in the race later, Burkes answered "probably not."

"But you never say never. It depends on how well Sam does, and how well the race goes. If it starts going south and it's clear the voters don't want any of them [who are running], then I may have to step back in the race."

"But it's time for Sam [Baskingwood] to stand on his own two feet. We'll see if he can," she said.

Burkes told reporters she considers herself 'middle-of-the-road' politically, and she believes she helped Baskingwood win three years ago.

"It's true I took some of his voters away from him. But I took a lot of votes from the NAT too. And that helped Sam. Without me, if he ran just him versus Becky Grael, he would have lost. He should be thanking me," said a confident Burkes.

Polls taken directly before the 2020 gubernatorial election showed Baskingwood actually would win in a head-to-head match up with Grael, contradicting Burkes' claims.

But nonetheless, the blunt, elderly candidate has doubled-down on her campaign insight.

She does give credit to Baskingwood for bringing down crime in Ansleigha 'somewhat.'

And she says Baskingwood, with his low-tax policies, is better for Ansleigha's economy than pro-tax Nationalists.

But that's where her compliments end.

"He's still weak. He's still giving in to the quote-unquote 'establishment.' He's still letting people push him around and tell him what to do. And that bothers me. I don't let people do that to me, and I don't think a governor should be that passive."

Expectedly, the Baskingwood campaign sees things differently.

"Governor Baskingwood has brought down crime dramatically with his pro-police and tough-on-crime policies," said spokesman Jared Leif. "His pro-business, anti-tax policies have helped Ansleigha's economy recover from COVID, and he has reduced government bureaucracy and red tape to make business and life easier to conduct here in Ansleigha."

Indeed, polls show Baskingwood, a well-known former actor, receiving high marks from Ansleighans for his handling of the state's top job.

Nationalist candidates have been reluctant to challenge Baskingwood.

Last month, Grael, speaker of the state house of representatives, said she would not run for governor again in 2024.

Businessman Russ Hawley, Grael's running mate in 2020, said he also would not seek the governorship.

Former Koeurn mayor and current assemblyman Lane Kearster also declined to run.

The only declared NAT candidates for governor at this point are state Sen. Paul Biddington of Churchtown, Koeurn City Councillor Paris Westerman, oil entrepreneur Pete Coble of Hawkinson, scientist Bill Seiffert of Gilliam, and former state senator Chuck Yore of Rhodes County.

A handful of lesser-known candidates are also considering running.

And late Friday afternoon, state Sen. Mark Haller announced he is exploring the possibility of running for governor again. He was the unsuccessful NAT nominee against Gov. Dale Lindstrom (C) in 2016.

The NAT is eager for a win in Ansleigha. They've never held the state's governorship, and in 2022, Conservatives swept all statewide races. All four federal senators from Ansleigha are now Conservatives.

With Burkes out of the picture, Baskingwood, who remains relatively popular, is likely to secure a second term, barring a major scandal or campaign-altering event.

But Conservative allies close to the governor say Baskingwood is proceeding with caution, very much aware that the bombastic Burkes may enter the race at any time.

"The governor is going forward with the assumption that Rosamond Burkes will run. He is preparing and planning for a second Burkes candidacy, and the implications that would bring to the race. I suspect the NAT candidates are also preparing for that very real possibility," said one source close to Baskingwood and familiar with his campaign strategies. 

The source asked not to be named because they were not permitted to speak to the media.

In the meantime, Burkes is not running for governor, but she said she will continue to speak out on issues and her observations of the race for governor on her various social media accounts.

She was briefly banned from both Facebook and Twitter for posting controversial content, but her accounts have since been restored.

The wealthy heiress may also use her vast personal fortune to run campaign commercials and advertisements, she said.

"Even if I don't run, I will very much be a part of this campaign and be involved. Ansleigha is my home state, and I care very much about what happens, even if it doesn't directly involve me running."

Grant Riley will not run for Deschire governor in 2024, polls show close race

DOVLIN, Des. -- Wealthy businessman and conservative libertarian activist Grant Riley briefly toyed with running for governor in 2024, but has since decided against a second gubernatorial campaign, he told a Berivian-area talk radio station.

"I entertained the idea," Riley told Mike Garrett, host of K-Talk 1450 AM radio's afternoon "Roadshow" program, Friday. "But there's no viable path with three of us running. It would be a repeat of 2012, the two conservative candidates split the vote and about half the votes go to the NAT."

"I don't want that to happen again," Riley told Garrett. "So I've opted not to run this time."

Riley was referring to the 2012 election, when he ran as an independent against Conservative Robert Mar and Nationalist Jan Beamer. In that race, Beamer came out on top with 49 percent, Mar took 28 percent, and Riley just 23 percent.

Riley had been weighing another independent run against incumbent NAT Gov. Nick Filletter, who is seeking re-election.

But a Riley candidacy would have been controversial. The libertarian-leaning businessman has some views that are deeply conservataive and out of line with the mainstream in Deschire politics.

He's previously advocated eliminating the state department of education, vast spending cuts, and allowing 18-year-olds to purchase alcohol.

And had he chosen to run, Riley would have had to face not only Filletter, but also former Gov. Jay Burns (C), who is close to announcing a rematch bid against Filletter.

Filletter, a former attorney general, narrowly beat Burns, a former federal senator-turned-governor, in 2020 by about 9,000 votes out of more than 3.6 million votes cast.

Burns is now seeking a rematch with Filletter next year. Though Burns has not formally announced his campaign, he has been traveling around the state extensively in the past few months, and has ramped up social media activity.

Burns would likely be the best-known Conservative candidate to run against Filletter. Former unsuccessful  federal Senate candidate Angie Farengatto has declined to run, preferring to run for federal Senate again in 2024 instead.

Mar, a businessman from the western suburbs of Berivian who ran for governor in 2012, has ruled out running again in 2024.

Assemblymen Clay Aioki from Rumley County and Harlan Rueller from Humboltdon have both also declined, as has former Lt. Gov. Barbara Culson, leaving Burns as the CNS' only viable candidate to take on Filletter.

And a recent poll conducted by the Berivian Emblem-Herald newspaper shows Burns has the edge in a rematch with Filletter.

The poll, conducted in mid-July with about 600 registered voters, found Burns leading 52% to Filletter's 47 percent, with one percent choosing a minor party candidate or write-in.

Like most Deschire elections, Nationalist candidates fare well in the Berivian metro area, which is home to half the state's population.

The NAT also does well in the state capital, Northbridge, as well as the city of Brookeford in northwestern Deschire, home to the University of Deschire.

But Conservative candidates tend to dominate in rural Deschire, as well as the eastern and northern suburbs of Berivian.

The poll finds strong support for Filletter in inner-city Berivian, in Northbridge, and Brookeford, while Burns receives high marks in the conservative suburbs and rural northern and eastern Deschire.

Filletter has strong support from NAT voters, something his campaign points out. His policies are firmly in line with the mainstream NAT. He has made fighting climate change a major part of his administration, as well as social justice, police reform, health care access, and abortion rights.

Conservatives sense Filletter is vulnerable, though. 

"Nick Filletter barely won in 2020. He didn't get a mandate. In fact, a lot of Conservative voters in rural Deschire feel he robbed them and stole the election. So there is a lot of anger among Conservative and rural voters. There's also discontent because rural voters feel Nick Filletter and the NAT ignore their concerns and their needs, and force their liberal policies on rural communities. So there is a lot of animosity among about half the voters," said Doug Seriss, a CNS operative who has worked on Conservative campaigns in Deschire but who is not actively working on any campaigns.

"And then the fact that Nick Filletter is pretty lock-step with the national NAT party, that's a turn-off to independent and moderate voters. Jay Burns appeals much more to the moderate, swing voters. He's less partisan and less militant. All of those factors are going to make this a tough re-election campaign for Nick Filletter," Seriss added.

But Nationalists say it's Burns who is radical, not Filletter.

"Before his failed term as governor, Jay Burns was the Senate minority leader in Mavocke. He literally led the Conservative party in the Senate and all their radical, extremist policies. He's as partisan as one can get," said Allan Sandeen, vice chair of the Deschire NAT.

Despite the political rhetoric, Deschire's governor's race will almost certainly be close. The state had the closest Senate race back in 2022, with Nationalist Michael Hayslee winning a litigious Senate race against Conservative Angie Farengatto by just 539 votes out of more than 3 million cast.

Hayslee only prevailed in that race after three recounts and months of litigation.

Farengatto passed on running for governor in 2024, deferring to Burns. But she is expected to announce a third Senate campaign in the coming weeks, challenging incumbent NAT Sen. Trish Potter, who is up for re-election in 2024.

The Berivian Emblem-Herald polled a hypothetical match-up between Farengatto and Potter, and found both candidates receiving 49% apiece.

A spokesman for Potter said the senator is not taking the race for granted.

"Senator Potter realizes that Deschire is a battleground state, and each election victory has to be earned. She has worked hard as a senator and she will work hard once again next year to re-earn the support of her fellow Deschireans," said spokesman Jared Astley.

A close friend of Farengatto's, who asked to remain anonymous because they were concerned speaking to the media would damage their friendship, told the Emblem-Herald that Farengatto is planning to announce her Senate campaign in August.

"Angie had an exhausting run for Senate last time. She won the first count of ballots, but after all the lawsuits and recounts, she came up just short by a sliver. That was very frustrating for her, and she feels robbed. Her supporters feel robbed. But she's not giving up. She's a fighter, she's always fought for everything she has in life, and she will run again for Senate and she's confident and...a lot of people are confident that she will win," the anonymous source said.

Both polls, for governor and senator, show the deep divides between rural and urban Deschire. Experts say next year's elections will likely come down to voter turnout.

"Deschire is very much a battleground state with a roughly even number of Conservative and NAT voters. So it's really going to come down to which side turns out more. Which side shows up to the polls. That's going to largely determine the outcome of next year's close races," said Dr. Bernard Yale, a political scientist at Deschire State University.

Ralston defends party's lackluster performance in 2022 elections

MAVOCKE -- Following a disappointing election season in which the Conservative Party failed to gain a single seat in the Senate, Jon Ralston, the party's leader in the federal Senate, is facing calls to resign.

There are still two Senate seats that remain unresolved from the 2022 election. Special elections are scheduled for next week in those contests in Marchenay and Damoign, respectively.

But last week's special election in Veroche, which saw one-term Sen. John Bosworth (C) lose re-election in a close race, has brought renewed calls for Ralston to step down.

"The last two elections, with Jon Ralston in charge, we haven't won any seats. We've stayed stagnant. We've failed to increase our numbers at all in the Senate, and that is unacceptable," said Veroche Conservative Party Chairman Andrew Feld.

But Ralston, who has been leader since 2017, vigorously defended his leadership over the party's failed 2022 campaigns.

In a televised interview with The Chamberlain Network's Michael Cupp, the senior Ansleigha senator acknowledged the party fell far short of predictions in the 2022 elections.

"We had the momentum going in to December, at least that was the narrative that people in the media and politicians were giving," Ralston admitted.

But while the media portrayed a Conservative "wave" in the December 2022 elections, the reality was much different, Ralston argued.

"If you actually go back to late November and you look at the polls, they showed a much different story than a wave election. They actually showed a much closer, more evenly-split election. So the idea of a 'wave' was incorrect and not consistent with the polling," Ralston said.

Conservatives should have gained at least a few seats, Ralston conceded. "But this was a very close election, and neither party won a mandate," he said.

Ralston has faced criticism from his own party members for failing to defend five CNS incumbent senators. 

Shannon McCann (Kaln.), Cathy De Beers (Mon.), Dick Trau (POG), John Bosworth (Ver.), and Hank Hjenigen (Wel.) all lost their seats to insurgent Nationalists, albeit by close margins.

Their defeats were painful, Ralston said. "But they all lost by just a tiny bit. No one got blown out of the water."

"So this idea that the Conservative Party got its head handed to them on a platter is just wrong," he told Cupp.

And Ralston pointed out the Conservative Party, while it may have lost five of its members, gained in other states.

"Look at Harvannah, where George Garesby won and we successfully defended Bourret Magiscanti in an NAT-leaning state. Look at Lial, another NAT state, where we successfully defended Andrea Doorfield and we got John BiGadi elected too. Look at Onakiah, where Deacon Busby (N) was defeated by Andrew Stykes (C). When you look at the whole country overall, we had our failures and our successes. But when you look at the whole country, you see the totality of the election results."

"In some places, we struggled. And we lost. In other places, we won and we won big. So I'm proud of the race we ran, I'm proud of the campaign we ran, and I'm proud of the people who won and the people who lost," said Ralston.

Asked whether it's time for him to step down following the disappointing election results, he said he would resign as Senate Minority Leader if his colleagues voted him out.

"If my colleagues want to vote on my leadership, if they want someone else to lead our party, I am more than happy and willing to have a vote. If they vote me out and I lose their confidence, then I will step down," he said matter-of-factly.

"I'm not looking to cling to power," he added. "But so far, I haven't heard any grumblings from my colleagues. Everyone has been very supportive, to my face at least, and has said, 'Hey John, you've done as good as you could with what you had to work with.' And I think people mean that. They know this last election was a lot closer than it was predicted to be, we were up against some strong incumbents, we had incumbents in NAT states...there were a number of factors that led to the mixed bag result that we got. But we're looking forward, not backward."

The party is already seeking out and persuading top recruits to enter the 2024 race, he said. 

"What we're finding, as we travel across the country meeting potential candidates and feeling out who would be a good person to run in each state...what we're finding is that people are tired of the Jim McCaren, NAT-led economy. They're tired of inflation. They're tired of out-of-control spending. They're tired of lunatic social policies, like radical transgenderism and LGBTQ indoctrination of our kids. They're tired of government having too much power over our everyday lives, shutting down our economy, forcing us to wear masks and isolate and stay away from our loved ones for months on end. People are tired of the Nationalist Party domineering and dictating to them what they can and can't do."

"People want freedom. They want liberty. They want to live their lives as they see fit, without big nanny-state government coming in and deciding for them. So we are recruiting candidates who feel strongly about those things and who are articulate and intelligent enough to campaign successfully on those ideas."

It's unclear if any other Conservative senator will step forward to challenge Ralston for the party's leadership. So far, no Conservative senators have publicly said or hinted they will challenge the Ansleigha senator.

And sources within the party's Senate caucus, who all asked to remain anonymous because they don't want to damage work relationships, said Ralston enjoys a high degree of popularity within the party's ranks.

"Most senators like him on the CNS side. I'm sure a lot of NAT senators hate his guts. But on our side, he's actually quite popular, because he's Conservative and opinionated, which makes the right-wing people happy. But he's also smart enough to know that extreme candidates don't win, so the moderates appreciate that about him," said one Senate Conservative staff member.

Still, someone could challenge him for the party's top job. And a similar fate could befall the Nationalist Party's leader, Sen. Debbie Madronas of Damoign, who has held the Senate Majority position for over a decade.

At this point though, neither Ralston nor Madronas have any active challengers, and both are deeply entrenched in the Senate's power-center. Sources in both parties say it would be difficult to defeat either of them.

For now, Ralston plans on continuing on as leader of the Conservatives.

"But it's not forever," he told Cupp. "At some point, I plan on retiring and letting the next generation of strong, young, intelligent Conservatives take over and lead us into the future."

Junes Charmagne pledges 'good working-relationship' with new Lt. Gov. DeMerius Jenkins

CLOTHEN, Lial -- The loss of his former lieutenant governor Jim Fallberry (C) hurts, Lial Gov. Junes Charmagne told reporters Wednesday. But the governor pledged to build a "good working-relationship" with Fallberry's successor, DeMerius Jenkins (N).

Mr. Jenkins, a 39-year-old community activist from southeast Monvaille, defeated the incumbent Fallberry, 72, in the December 2022 election.

Though elected separately, Charmagne and Fallberry, both Conservatives, had a close relationship at the state capitol in Clothen.

Both are moderates, although Fallberry is more to the right of the governor.

But sources close to both men say the two worked very well together.

"Gov. Charmagne had frequent contact with Lt. Gov. Fallberry. They met multiple times a week, sometimes daily. And the governor confided in and turned to the lieutenant governor often for advice," said one aide who worked for both men and was familiar with their relationship.

Charmagne acknowledged that in his Wednesday press conference.

"Jim Fallberry is a tough act to follow," the governor said. "I relied on him quite a bit, and he served our state well. It would be an understatement to say that he will be missed by me and my staff. We are very much going to miss him," said Charmagne.

But the governor said he will work with anyone, even a lieutenant governor from the opposition party.

"The people of Lial didn't elect me governor so I would only work with my friends or with people from my own party. They elected me and expect me to work with everyone, and that includes new folks who are from a different political party than I am. That's my job as governor, to work for the people of Lial and to do all I can, and have good relationships with all my peers, from all parties," said Charmagne.

During the election campaign, Conservatives hammered Jenkins, who served as a state legislator and city councillor, for his lack of experience.

As a community activist and progressive politician, Jenkins took a strong stance against police brutality of young African-Grassadellian men. And he made fighting racism a central pillar of his campaign.

Fallberry, a longtime state senator from Lovelace County in the northwestern suburbs of Monvaille, made his campaign for re-election about building on Lial's strong economy and fighting crime.

"There is nothing more important than protecting our children and grandchildren, protecting Lialan's property, and protecting our communities from violence, drugs, and gangs," he said during a November 2022 debate. "If I'm re-elected, I will do everything in my power to work with state senators and representatives to pass legislation that is tough on crime."

Jenkins criticized Fallberry and his supporters for not sufficiently recognizing police brutality and racism.

"It's almost like my opponent will support the police no matter what, even if they're in the wrong, even if they beat some kid with a baton, even if they shoot another young Black kid," said Jenkins at a November 2022 campaign rally in his hometown of Spratley Hill.

Fallberry dismissed that characterization.

"It's fascinating that, if you say you support police and you're tough on crime, the Nationalist Party automatically says you're racist. This isn't about race, it's about crime and public safety. Any attempt to make it about more than that is manipulation by my opponent," said Fallberry.

Despite the ugly overtones on race and policing, the campaign between Fallberry and Jenkins was mostly friendly. Jenkins was known on the campaign trail for being upbeat and friendly, and when his supporters openly called Fallberry racist, Jenkins defended his old, white, Conservative opponent.

"I don't think Jim Fallberry is racist. I think he's a good person, I think he has a good heart. I think he's just not aware of and doesn't see the racism that's all around us. He's not participating in it, he's not condoning it. But he's not seeing it and experiencing it like people of color are. That's the difference. We're just trying to bring visibility to this issue because so many white folks...and Jim's not the only one, we all know there are a lot of white folks like Jim, millions, who just aren't aware of racism. They don't experience it and feel it and see it on a daily basis like we do. But we live it everyday. So we're trying to open people's eyes and let them know that we support law enforcement, but we also want Black people treated fairly and with respect. That's all we're saying," Jenkins told the crowd.

For his part, Fallberry congratulated his successor and wished him well.

"DeMerius and I had a close race, we had a toughly-fought race. We disagreed on a lot of issues, and at times it got a little dirty, mostly from other people on the sidelines. But I think he's a nice young man, he's passionate, he cares very much about his community and the welfare of African-Grassadellians, and I certainly hope he succeeds as our next lieutenant governor," Fallberry told the Monvaille Journal.

"I hope that he listens to everyone, I hope that he considers other positions and opinions, and I hope that he does not let partisan politics cloud his judgment, because most politicians do that. I always tried to be independent and to stand up on my ideas and my own beliefs and not let anyone in the other party or my own party tell me what to do. And I hope DeMerius does that also," said Fallberry.

Junes Charmagne's team said the Charmagne-Jenkins relationship will be "a different dynamic" than Charmagne's close relationship with Fallberry, but will remain positive.

"As Gov. Charmagne has said in the past, he will work with anyone from any party to get things done for the people of Lial. I fully expect him to follow through on his word and work closely and positively with Lt. Gov. Jenkins," said Abby Hunt, spokesperson for the governor.

In a tweet, Jenkins said he remains committed to working with his Conservative counterparts as well.

"We need to build bridges between different groups in our state, and that starts with me building bridges to colleagues from the other party," he wrote.

POG Conservatives 'had nothing compelling to offer voters,' Mendajara says

LANSDALE, POG -- Despite incumbent Nationalist politicians having low approval ratings and presiding over a difficult economy, Conservative candidates in POG did not fare well in the 2022 elections.

There's a reason for that, says POG's Attorney General Austin Mendajara, the only Conservative statewide candidate to win in 2022.

"We had nothing compelling to offer voters," Mendajara told the Lansdale Focus newspaper in an interview.

Mendajara, first elected in 2018, pulled out a 51%-48% win in a close race against Nationalist political newcomer Devon Hunter.

But the attorney general performed better than Mike Indano, the Conservatives' candidate for governor.

Indano fell short of the state's top job to Gov. Ramon Ramos (N) by just 53,000 votes out of more than 9.5 million cast.

Sen. Dick Trau (C), the state's only Conservative senator and heir to a political dynasty, did even worse, losing to Nationalist Assemblyman Jim Mahenas. Trau took 48 percent to Mahenas' 50 percent.

Secretary of State Benny Ortiz (C), a fellow Hispanic who was elected in 2018 alongside Mendajara, lost his bid for re-election too, edged out slightly by little-known Nationalist Jane Grey.

Ms. Grey took almost 50% compared to nearly 49% for Ortiz.

So why did Conservative candidates falter, when economic and political conditions were ripe for solid Conservative gains? 

After all, Ramos, POG's governor, is a hero for progressive, but deeply divisive and polarizing, and loathed by Conservatives.

"We should have beat him easily," Mendajara told the Focus. "With the economy the way it is, and Ramon being so polarizing and confrontational, the voters were really hungry for a good alternative. But Mike Indano is also polarizing and controversial. You put two controversial and polarizing people in the same room, and people tend to stick with the one they already have and know," said Mendajara.

The Indano-Ramos race was exceedingly close. In the initial vote tally, Indano had a small lead. But two subsequent recounts found Ramos to be the winner.

Indano has since accused Ramos and Nationalists of cheating.

"It was rigged," he told a Lansdale conservative radio host last week. "The Nationalists had this thing rigged from the beginning. They didn't want me and they'd do anything to protect Ramon Ramos, so they rigged the counting. We have proof of that, we have evidence to back that up," said Indano, although he declined to give any specifics when pressed to present evidence.

Nationalists and many Conservatives stress the gubernatorial election was not fraudulent.

"Ramon won and I think he did so fairly and squarely," Mendajara said. "It just was a very close race. But it shouldn't have been. With a stronger Conservative candidate, Ramon would have lost with no question."

As for Dick Trau, the incumbent Conservative senator who is the son-in-law of former federal Secretary of State Dick Lanman, Mendajara says Lanman tried to walk the middle in a polarized election.

"Dick tried to stay in the middle. He wanted to appeal to, and he did appeal to, the middle-of-the-road, moderate voters. But he also needed the support of the really conservative voters. Unfortunately, his moderate stances really irked a lot of the hardliners. And Jim Mahenas, his opponent, was also a moderate, middle-of-the-road Nationalist, so they had to compete for those independent and swing voters, and it was just a tough race for Dick," Mendajara said.

And Benny Ortiz, another young Hispanic Conservative who was often profiled and closely aligned with Mendajara, he lacked confidence, his attorney general friend says.

"Benny is a friend of mine, he's a nice guy. He has a good heart and wants to serve his community and our state. But I think he came across as a bit timid, a bit insecure. And he was running against a very confident, assured candidate on the other side who projected confidence. And voters want confidence in their secretaries of state," said Mendajara.

But after election losses, "everyone looks for someone to blame," Mendajara added.

And part of the blame lies with POG's Conservative Party itself.

"The party leadership, here in POG and also nationally in some ways too, is stuck in the 1990s and 1980s," he said. "We need to realize that POG's demographics are changing, POG is becoming a younger, more diverse state. And yet, we as a party, we are stuck in the old-fashioned mindset. We aren't appealing to minorities as much as we should. We're not appealing to women as much as we should. We're not appealing to working class people as much as we should. We need to re-frame our perspective, I think. And offer voters more than just a return to the past."

POG State Conservative Party Chairwoman Charla Huggerin disputed Mendajara's characterization of the state party.

"While I respect Attorney General Mendajara, I don't feel the POG Conservative party is stuck in the past. We are very much future-minded and looking forward to new possibilities and new growth policies for POGeans. And the data backs that up. All of our Conservative candidates did very well among minority voters in places like Bassutton County, Van Hassett County, Clemson County, Bardwell County, and to some degree in Caspella and Harpinscott Counties as well," said Huggerin.

Indeed, Conservative candidates did run up the score in heavily Conservative, upper-middle class Bassutton County, which includes many northwestern suburbs of Lansdale.

The party also did well in Van Hassett County, which is home to the University of POG and several military bases. Conservatives also dominated in Clemson County in the state's southeast, another highly-educated county that includes the southwestern suburbs of Kingham and has a large minority population.

Bardwell, Caspella and Harpinscott Counties were more evenly split. However, the NAT performed well with the majority of minority voters, particularly in the Kingham, Lansdale and Knoxbury metro areas.

While Conservatives had some localized successes among minority voters in certain areas, Huggerin agreed with Mendajara that the party could do more to reach out to non-white voters.

"We have a lot more to do, a lot more room for growth, and we are always looking to expand the big tent of our party to appeal to POGeans of all backgrounds," she said.

Looking to the next governor's election in 2026, Mendajara has not said whether he intends to run. As POG's only statewide Conservative elected official, he is the most logical choice for Conservatives to run.

But there is no shortage of ambitious CNS candidates in POG, and its likely Mendajara, who is moderate, would have an open path to the party's nomination.

Indano, who has ran unsuccessfully for governor once and federal Senate twice, has not ruled out running again in 2026.

"It's something we're thinking about," he said in his radio interview last week. "We still will need a pro-growth, pro-business, anti-tax governor in 2026, so I think the need will still be there. And do we have any other strong conservative candidates who can stand on their own feet and not be controlled like a puppet by the state party and the establishment? Those are questions we'll have to ask ourselves in the future," said Indano.

Mendajara hopes Indano will soften his image a bit before running again for the governorship in 2026.

"I don't care who runs for governor in '26, but whoever it is, I hope we have learned as a party that blowhards do not win. Buffoons do not win. People who cry 'cheating' every time they lose do not win. People who sow doubt about elections and who rile up their base voters with outlandish stories and conspiracies will not win in POG. So our next nominee for governor needs to be someone who's smart, who appeals to a broad swath of voters, and who is above all the fray and noise of the political discourse," said Mendajara.

Will that candidate be him?

"It's way too early to tell. I'll let you know in three years," he laughed.