Mideast Gubernatorial Race Nearing End

College Park, MD

The race for the Governorship in the Mideast is nearing an end with voting due to open this Friday. The candidates have recently had the opportunity to participate in a debate before the whole Region, which has been moderated by former Lieutenant Governor Dean, and has been opened up to general questions from the public.

Whilst the participation of both Afleitch and Liberty, the Free Democrat and Originalist candidates respectively, has been consistent and thoughtful, the Atlasian Conservative Alliance candidate and incumbent Governor 9iron has been nearly non-existant in the debates. 9iron's term in office has been constantly dogged by accusations of inactivity and failure to implement any sort of legislative programme.

A recent poll conducted by this paper showed a large lead for Afleitch of 6 votes to 1 vote each for 9iron and Liberty. Afleitch has received the endorsements of both the Independent Liberal and Christian Democratic Parties. The endorsement of the ILP is thought to be crucial in this Region since they dominate party registrations. 9iron has been endorsed by the Atlasian Conservative Alliance.

Also up for a vote next week is the Lieutenant Governors position, to which Ben is running unopposed, and five ballot initiatives, including a controversial proposal to ban the RU-486 abortion pill and another that will repeal the Mideast's secret ballot statute to allow reconsideration of the issue. This paper will write in greater depth on these proposals midweek.