Roundup: Candidates for the 2011
National Election
Zoey Williams, Election
Oct. 27, 2010
The registration deadline for the 2011
national election in Napaj passed
Wednesday.
Seven candidates met the requirements to
enter the race, which included obtaining at
least 2,000 signatures.
Here are the candidates on whom the
nation will vote to be the first Napajian
president on Nov. 8, 2011:
Tom Waylend
Saffron City Mayor Tom Waylend's life in
public service began in 1991 when he was
elected to the city council at 25 years old.
Six years later, he became mayor in a
special election following Jackson Salerno's
resignation due to health issues.
Waylend ran on a platform of increasing
economic commerce between regions; he
and another candidate in the 2011 election,
Goldenrod City Mayor Mitchell Sinternik,
helped establish the magnet train that runs
between Saffron and Goldenrod.
In a mid-September interview with The
Kanto Times shortly after announcing his
candidacy, Waylend said, "I'm more
committed than ever to strengthening the
economic relationship between our regions.
Greg Abel
A former executive of the Hoenn Battle
Tower, Greg Abel first ran for mayor of La
Rousse City in 2000 on a platform of cutting
corporate taxes to stimulate economic
growth. He lost to technology candidate
Carli Maundelban that year, and then again
in 2004.
His third campaign in 2008 was a success.
He edged out Maundelban in a controversial
election weeks before the vote, the Hoenn
Daily broke a story that Maundelban was
under investigation or allegations that she
had pocketed campaign funds in 2004. The
allegations turned up false two weeks after
Abel was sworn in.
Abel's website makes the same promise as
his three previous mayoral campaigns:
cutting corporate taxes to strengthen the
economy.
Carol Jenny
Carol Jenny comes from a long line of
police work in her family. Her mother and
grandmother both worked as police officers
in Viridian City, Kanto; Jenny herself
graduated in the Viridian Police Academy in
1989 and then transferred to Tangelo Island
in the Orange Archipelago a year later.
She became police chief of the Tangelo unit
in 1997 and was instrumental in cracking
down on poaching of endangered Lapras
and other Water-type Pokémon in the area.
Jenny promised further crackdown on
organized crime and Pokémon poaching in
the statement announcing her candidacy in
early October.
Mitchell Sinternik
Goldenrod Mayor Mitchell Sinternik started
his career as a public defender after
graduating from Goldenrod Law School in
1972. He spent five years working on behalf
of the city before starting his own firm,
Sinternik Law, which famously worked pro
bono on the Alice Caden case in 1981.
Alice was the wife of then-Goldenrod Gym
Leader Propocio Caden, whom she shot
twice and killed after an altercation in their
home. Sinternik's firm defended her in the
murder trial, alleging that Alice was a
battered woman and killed her husband in
self defense. She was acquitted, and
Sinternik rode on his success to mayorship
in 1982.
At a campaign rally Monday in Olivine City,
Sinternik told his supporters, "I have always
worked for the disadvantaged in this
country, and I will continue to do so as
president."
Connor Blanc
S-Class Connoisseur Connor Blanc is an
educator and member of the Pokémon
Connoisseur Association's board of
directors. He began teaching at the PCA
Striaton campus in 1996 before joining the
board in 2003 as co-director of program
admissions.
Blanc's research on Pokémon abilities has
been featured in a number of peer-reviewed
journals; he published his first book, The
Hidden Abilities of Pokémon, in 2006. Its
third edition is scheduled for release in
December.
In an interview with Unova News, Blanc
described himself as "the education
candidate." He advocates for the
privatization of public education in Napaj.
Erol Adalet
In 1991, Erol Adalet began working for the
Indigo G-Men division at 24 after spending
five years as a police officer in Vermillion
City, Kanto. He reported directly to Indigo
Champions Agatha Johnson and Lance
Grayson for 12 years before taking a
seven-year leave of absence.
In that time, he traveled to Kalos and
worked with The International Police to
break up the crime unit, Team Flare. He
returned to Napaj in 2009 to become chief
of the Unova G-Men division under
Champion Iris Ajagara, but resigned in late
November prior to announcing his
candidacy.
Adalet spoke with the Vermillion Post
Sunday on his reasons for running.
"I strongly believe in the separation of the
government and League," he said. "This
election in an important step in that
process."
Junia Stevens
A last-minute entrant to the race, Junia
Stevens graduated from Canalave
University in 1999 with a bachelor of
science in space archeology. She began
working as a curator for the Eterna City
Historical Museum in 2006.
Her official campaign launch is Thursday
outside the museum, where she is expected
to share her political platform.
Follow the reporter Zoey Williams at
zoey_williams on Chatot.
Zoey already knew what Homa was going to say the moment her name lit up the cell phone sitting in her car's cup holder. Zoey stared at it ruefully from her seat; she had just pulled into the museum parking lot, and she had half-hoped making the trip meant Homa was not going to call.
Well, that was wishful thinking, Zoey supposed. She picked up the phone.
"Hi Homa."
"This is all you could find on Junia Stevens?" Homa said immediately after Zoey answered.
"Yes," Zoey said straight.
"What was she doing in the years between 1999 and 2006?" Homa asked. "That's a glaring seven-year gap between her graduation and career."
"I don't know."
"It's your job to know. The story is unbalanced. Stevens' section is thin compared to the other candidates'. Our readers will notice."
"I did my homework, Homa, and dug up as much as I could about her," Zoey defended. "But she's a last-minute entry, and her campaign is barely now getting off the ground. She doesn't have a website yet, and I couldn't find any contact for her campaign either. I wrote what I could—unless you would have rather had me beef it up with filler."
Homa was silent at that, obviously thinking. Zoey waited.
"I'm giving you new homework then," Homa said. "You need to get the name and number of Junia Stevens' spokesperson—and you need to make sure they know your name and publication, because you're going to become quite familiar with each other. Also, put that Chatot account of yours to use and send out some Chats from the event today."
"Will do," Zoey promised.
"Good job on the other profiles," Homa said. "Goodbye."
"Thanks. Bye."
Homa, Zoey decided, reminded her of a flush of scalding hot water during an otherwise pleasantly warm shower. The comparison came to her naturally as the memory of showering a couple days earlier only to have Candice turn on the washing machine rose to the front of her mind. She smiled to herself, remembering how Candice had been so alarmed by her yelp that she skidded into the bathroom shouting Zoey's name.
Stepping out of her car, Zoey made her way to the front of the museum. The event was small and sparsely populated. A few bright purple campaign signs with the name "Junia Stevens" emblazoned in white stuck out of the lawn at haphazard angles. Some similarly designed balloons adorned the dark-brick wall. Several rows of mostly unoccupied folding chairs sprawled before the steps to the museum, where a podium stood. Zoey was sure most of the people there were other journalists.
The scene begged the question: How in the world did this woman clinch 2,000 signatures? Skeptical, Zoey nevertheless ventured forward seeking to complete Homa's assignment of the day: Find the spokesperson. She searched for a campaign employee—someone lacking a notebook, at least—to direct her to the right place.
She settled on a small redhead wearing a lanyard and holding some manila folders. An intern? No—Zoey shook her head—she looked relatively young with her round face and scarlet bobbed hair, but she wasn't that young.
"Excuse me," Zoey politely interrupted. The woman turned, bringing her sharp, burnt red eyes to Zoey's. Now that she was up close, Zoey realized the woman might actually be several years older than her. "I'm looking for the campaign spokesperson."
"You're speaking to her," the woman said with a touch of impudence. She stuck out her hand. "Marinda Ortiz."
"Oh! That makes my assignment easier," Zoey thoughtlessly remarked, shaking her hand.
"Sorry?" Marinda raised an eyebrow.
"Never mind," Zoey quickly dismissed. "Zoey Williams. Hearthome Chronicle." She flashed her press badge as proof.
"Well, nice to meet you Zoey," Marinda said, hardly sounding sincere. She plucked one of the manila folders from under her arm and held it out toward Zoey. "Take this. I've been giving one to each publication. It contains a summary of Junia Stevens's positions, my contact, and an itinerary of our upcoming campaign events."
"Thank you," Zoey said, pleasantly surprised regardless of Marinda's disposition. This really made her homework easier. She opened up the folder and flicked through a few of the pages until she reached the itinerary. She paused there to look it over more carefully; it would, after all, determine her forthcoming travel plans.
"So, Hoenn first?" Zoey asked aloud. "That's interesting. Is there any particular reason—" When she looked up, Zoey realized Marinda had disappeared. Zoey furrowed her brows. "Okay…" she mused with befuddlement. So much for building a relationship with her source. At least Homa would be happy she got an introduction and contact information.
Zoey turned and opened the folder again, deciding to dig through the other pages. She started with the positions summary.
ECONOMY
The average Napajian is hurting in our lackluster economy. Politicians will suggest more of the same old tactics that never work: cutting taxes for the wealthy, offering breaks to big companies, and riding on the back of the middle class.
We need a fresh start. Junia Stevens plans to create a new economy that equalizes wealth distribution.
EDUCATION
The current education system is woefully inadequate for our children. The Digital Institute of Learning is not sufficient for real learning, and parents lack choices in their students' education.
Junia Stevens plans to build a new education system from the bottom up with dedicated funding to creating new charters that emphasize STEM fields and bring structure to our schools again.
HEALTH CARE
Pokémon Centers across the nation have served trainers well for generations. However—
Zoey's reading was abruptly cut short when she and another person accidentally walked into each other. Her papers scattered across the ground.
"Oh Mew," the other person, a young man with ruffled blue hair, said with apologetic desperation. "I'm so sorry." He bent down to help gather the papers.
"No, no," Zoey corrected. "I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention." She picked up her folder and gratefully accepted the papers the stranger offered her. She shuffled them back into the folder and rose up while he picked her press badge off the ground. His eyes widened upon seeing it.
"Oh, you're Zoey Williams?!" he exclaimed. Zoey squinted at him.
"Have we… met?" Zoey asked cautiously. She quickly wracked her brain for recognition, but none came. Was he a former source? She usually remembered her interviewees. Maybe a fan? That was more likely, but she was old news. Her last Top Coordinator title was earned in 2007, and she had been out of competition for several years now.
"No, I just recognize your name," he said. "You're one of the—" He suddenly stopped, his mouth hanging open at the last word. He quickly closed it. "Uh… you're… a reporter for the Hearthome Chronicle!"
He quickly handed her press badge back to her. Zoey sensed he didn't really know her from her byline.
"I am," Zoey affirmed, deciding to ignore it. "Who do you write for?"
"Oh, I'm not a reporter," he clarified. "I'm just here to see Junia Stevens speak. My name is Lucas."
Zoey cast her gaze around the event again. "Well, Lucas, you'd be the first," she said. Lucas craned his neck to follow her line of vision.
"Yeah, there's not exactly a crowd of supporters here, is there?" he said. "To be honest, I wouldn't exactly consider myself a supporter either. I was just in the area on an errand, and I decided to drop by to see what she was about. The whole community is interested in her since she's a scientist."
"The community?" Zoey inquired.
"Research community, I mean," Lucas said. "I'm an assistant to Professor Rowan in Sandgem Town. I found out about Stevens through him. Her petition to run was passed from facility to facility. I signed it."
"Oh really?" Zoey suddenly found herself fumbling for her notebook. She flipped it open, pulled the cap of her pen off with her teeth, and pressed it to the top of the page before looking at Lucas again and asking, "Do you mind?"
"No, it's fine," Lucas consented. "Anyway, in that sense, I guess it's not surprising there's no one here. Scientists attend air-conditioned conferences, not outdoor campaign events." He chuckled at his own joke while Zoey quickly jotted down his words.
"So do you think there's an—" Zoey waved her pen, trying to supply the appropriate adjective. "—invisible base of support out there?
"Maybe? I don't know." Lucas shrugged. "I think people like me are curious at least—we're just waiting to know more about her."
"Right," Zoey said. "So, you don't know much about her, but you still signed the petition for her to run?"
"Yeah, but a signature isn't a vote. I think for a lot of us, her credentials were at least enough to give her a chance to run," Lucas explained.
"By credentials, you mean her degree in space archeology?" Zoey asked. Lucas hummed affirmatively. "So are you hoping she'll be the 'science candidate,' like how Connor Blanc is the 'education candidate' or Carol Jenny is the 'crime candidate'?"
"I suppose," Lucas mused. "I'm not sure what I'm looking for at this point." He smiled weakly. "First national election, you know?"
Zoey also managed a smile. "Yeah," she agreed. She tapped her pen thoughtfully against her notepad for a moment, then asked, "Lucas—that's spelled L-U-C-A-S, right?"
"That's right," Lucas confirmed.
"Last name?"
"Damon. That's D-A-M—"
She took down the rest of his information—his age (he was 25, same as her), contact, and other minor necessities—before thanking him and closing up her notebook.
"Well, it was nice meeting you, Lucas," Zoey said.
"Same," Lucas said. "I hope I run into you again sometime—er, not literally though." She looked at him with an indiscernible expression. "Anyway, uh, I'll let you get back to work!"
He shuffled off, and Zoey cracked a smile before turning away. She seated herself in the section reserved for the press—it was the only place even remotely crowded—and waited. She opened her notebook again to jot down a few more things from her interview, then retrieved her phone to take a photo of the empty seats and stage ahead of her. She opened her Chatot app, started a new Chat, and attached the photo with the caption, "Sparse crowd at Junia Steven's opening campaign event this morning."
"Well, well, well…" Zoey's heart dropped into her stomach; she recognized the voice. "I didn't expect to run into you here."
Zoey kept her head low for a moment longer as she sucked in her breath.
"You know, Ciara, you're the only person I know who talks like a real-life cartoon villain," she quipped, slipping her phone away again. Ciara Skelley was a row ahead of Zoey, her head turned backward and her lips curled into a wry smile as if Zoey's remark were a compliment. Zoey nearly added that it wasn't but instead asked, "What's Coordinators Weekly doing sending reporters out to campaign events?"
"I don't work for Coordinators Weekly anymore," Ciara said curtly. "I'm now with The Sinnoan Times. You didn't hear?"
"Can't say I did."
"Well, I am." Ciara showed her the press badge hanging from her lanyard as proof.
"Huh," Zoey hummed. "Well, good for you. "Do you miss writing fiction?"
"It was fun while it lasted." Ciara shrugged. "But I've moved on to bigger and better things, like covering one of the candidates of our first national campaign."
The realization that Ciara was in the same press pool as her and would also follow Junia Stevens annoyed Zoey.
"With your history, I'm surprised they let you cover anything at all," she said. "I thought the Times would've had more integrity."
"You know, I'm trying to be nice," Ciara snapped, suddenly sounding exasperated. "Yes, I worked for a tabloid, but I have the same training and credentials as you. You graduated from DIL, too, didn't you?"
"That's not the point, Ciara," Zoey said, her voice rising a little. "I don't care that you worked for a tabloid. I applied to Coordinators Weekly myself once. I'm more miffed that your entertainment journalism targeted some of my closest friends, and in one case, destroyed his career, so you'll have to forgive me if I'm not feeling too friendly."
"Oh." A light of realization filled Ciara's eyes. "You mean Barry Pearl, don't you?"
"Yeah." Zoey clicked her tongue sharply. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have an event to cover." She changed seats, moving further down the row. Ciara shrugged it off and turned back around.
There was some movement on stage, and a hush fell over the crowd. A man with piercing cobalt eyes and blue hair cleanly slicked back stepped up to the podium.
"Good morning," he said into the microphone, which screeched with a loud, sharp hum. Some quick adjustments were made, and he continued, "My name is Satchel Thompson, the campaign manager for who will be the first president of this nation, Junia Stevens."
He paused, waiting for an applause. Some polite claps followed, but the press remained silent.
"It is my great honor today to introduce Junia Stevens to all of you," he went on. "She is a woman I have known and worked with for many years. She is one of the most brilliant space archeologists I've ever met. Her work has been instrumental in understanding this world and others. However, she has always had our world's best interests at heart, and I am confident she is going to help us make a better one. Please welcome: Junia Stevens."
Another polite applause followed. From behind one of the pillars emerged Stevens—a fairly attractive woman in her early 30s with dark burgundy hair that fell straight across her shoulders—the heels of her shoes making a distinct "click" with every step she took. She paused with Satchel long enough to shake his hand and mouth some words of thanks before she, too, went to the podium.
She inhaled deeply before she began to speak.
"Fellow citizens," she began. Her voice was dark but warm; the sound crawled up Zoey's spine. "It is my greatest pleasure to be here with all of you today. I am honored I have been granted the opportunity to run for your president and correct the problems that have plagued this nation for so long. This is a great country, but a great many of us are hurting: children with no parents, forced to turn to crime; poverty, starving the least of us; a generation of trainers ill-prepared for the world after their journey ends; overcrowded and underfunded Pokémon Centers; corruption running rampant among those we would hold in the highest esteem. What we need is a new beginning."
Zoey was beginning to sense a pattern. She leaned forward in her seat, opening her Chatot app again.
"I am that new beginning," Junia finished.
Junia Stevens Speaks of New
Beginnings in First Campaign Event
Zoey Williams, Election
Oct. 28, 2010
ETERNA CITY, SINNOH—The crowd was
sparse, but the speech was passionate
when Junia Stevens took to the stage
outside the Eterna City Museum on
Thursday afternoon.
Her message to the nation was simple:
"What we need is a new beginning. I am
that new beginning."
Stevens also took the opportunity to briefly
share her views on crime, economic
inequality, education, health care, and
corruption. In particular, she discussed the
need to "stop relying on past ineffective
systems and look toward creating a better
future."
Lucas Damon, an undecided voter who
signed Stevens' petition to run, attended the
event. He's a scientist like Stevens, and he
explained his reasons for signing.
"I think for a lot of us, her credentials were
at least enough for us to give her the
chance to run," he said.
Stevens has a bachelor's degree in space
archeology from Canalave University.
Stevens's next event is Saturday in
Rustboro City, Hoenn.
Follow the reporter Zoey Williams at
zoey_williams on Chatot.
Once finished reading, Homa paused only to take a long drag of her coffee. She emptied it, deposited it in the trash bin beside her desk—Zoey snagged it from the hallway and gave it to her so the empty cups would quit piling up—and smacked her lips once.
"Why Hoenn?" she asked. "What's Stevens going to speak about?"
Zoey opened her mouth.
"I—" She closed it suddenly. She was going to say, "I don't know. The spokesperson disappeared when I tried to ask her," but seeing Homa's expression, she thought better of it. "I… will find out."
Homa gave a satisfied nod. Zoey retrieved her notebook and manila folder and slinked off to a private room.
"Marinda Ortiz, spokesperson to the Junia Stevens campaign." Marinda picked up the call almost immediately.
"Hello Ms. Ortiz," Zoey greeted. "This is Zoey Williams from the Hearthome Chronicle. I want to ask a few clarifying questions regarding information reporters received at the event today."
"Williams…" Marinda hummed the name thoughtfully. "Oh. I gave you one of our press packages. All the information you need is in there."
"Yes, I did receive one, and I've read through it," Zoey said. "I just have a few questions." She pressed on before Marinda could respond and try to shut her down again. "What is Junia Stevens planning to speak about at the event in Rustboro on Saturday?"
"Economic inequality," Marinda quickly replied.
"That will be the focus of her speech?" Zoey asked.
"Yes."
"Following up on that," Zoey continued, "is economic inequality going to be the core issue of Stevens's campaign?"
"Junia Stevens cares about many issues, not just one. You can find a summary of her positions in the report I gave you."
"I understand, but I'm wondering if she has one main platform she's going to campaign on," Zoey said.
"Junia's promise to the people of Napaj is to help build a better world for us all. That can't be accomplished by addressing only one issue."
"Okay..." Zoey paused to write; she was taking Marinda's words down verbatim. "Is there any particular reason for traveling to Hoenn this soon, then, when the campaign launch was held in Sinnoh just today?"
"I'm sorry. I don't comment on internal campaign decisions," Marinda said bluntly.
"Right. … Well, thank you for your time." Zoey closed up her notebook.
The call ended, and by the time Zoey returned to Homa's office, she discovered her editor had somehow acquired another cup of coffee.
"So?" Homa inquired once Zoey appeared in her doorway.
"I've brought you a grand total of seven additional words to the final count," Zoey said. "'Stevens's next event is Saturday in Rustboro City, Hoenn,' where she will speak about economic inequality."
"Makes sense," Homa mused before adding the phrase into the story. "Rustboro is an industrial city. The majority of the population are factory workers who probably feel like they're suffering at the hands of Devon Corporation higher-ups."
"You'd think she would want to build up her base here in Sinnoh though, considering she's actually from here," Zoey remarked.
"Stevens is the only Sinnoan candidate. She might feel like she already has the region locked up while you've theoretically got Adalet, Jenny, and Waylend all battling for Kanto," Homa said.
"So… might as well go to Hoenn and try to knock out the skeevy CEO candidate with the promise of economic equality and lock up two regions," Zoey said. "I see what you mean."
Homa smiled at her.
"I knew I made the right choice assigning you this beat," she said with just a tad of smugness. Zoey pursed her lips but didn't respond. Homa went on, "I'm sending this to the copy desk for immediate online publishing. Multimedia will put up PNN's recording of the speech with it."
"Great," Zoey said flatly. "Do you need me for anything else? I need to pack."
"What time does your flight leave?" Homa asked.
"I found one for 6:30 tomorrow morning."
"Well, then I guess this'll be the last time I see you in-person for a while," Homa remarked.
"I'm sure I'll hear from you every day."
"Oh, you will," Homa affirmed. "Regardless, have a safe trip. Do good work."
Zoey crossed her hands in her lap. She managed a smile.
"Thanks Homa."
Iris was just admitted to the hospital.
Baby Cicily is on the way!
Oh wow! How did you find out?
Also, you're up late.
Lizzie's keeping me up. May told me
How did May find out?
Idk. I know you're a reporter but that
doesn't mean you have to know
everything haha
You know me. Gotta get to the
bottom of things!
Read 4:38 a.m.
…
"What're you smiling about?" Candice asked, grinning at her the driver's seat.
Zoey dropped her phone beside Glameow on her lap.
"Eyes on the road, Candice," she chastised.
"I'm careful!" Candice protested though she turned her head forward again anyway. "Besides, it's really late out. Nobody's on the road at this time."
Zoey rolled her eyes and turned her gaze toward the window as they speedily passed under the beams of yellow light along the highway. Her eyes felt heavy with exhaustion. She told herself she would sleep on the plane, but really, who was she kidding?
"So… ?" Candice prompted, snapping Zoey out of her thoughts.
"Hm?" Zoey looked at her.
"What were you smiling about?" Candice repeated.
"Oh. Dawn just texted me to say that Iris went into labor," Zoey said.
"Ooh! How exciting!" Candice gushed. "Hey, I just realized this whole thing means you'll probably get to meet little baby Cicily!"
"She'll be several months old by the time I get to Unova, but yeah, probably," Zoey agreed.
"I'm jealous. You always get to hang out with the cute kids," Candice pouted. "I mean, you get to see Lizzie all the time, and now Cicily!"
"You have your own cute kids," Zoey pointed out.
"They're not cute," Candice huffed. "One of them threw a bottle of glue at another student's head yesterday."
"Good thing I didn't start teaching that coordinator course," Zoey quipped. She smiled before adding, "You'll go back to adoring them on Monday."
They arrived at the Snowpoint City Airport. Candice slowed the vehicle as they began to enter the first terminal.
"Terminal Two, right?" Candice inquired. Zoey nodded, and Candice pulled up to the curb shortly thereafter. When Zoey opened the door, Glameow immediately leapt from her lap and stepped aside as Zoey quickly got out to get her luggage from the trunk.
Soon, Candice and Zoey stood a foot across from each other in front of the glass door leading inside.
"I'm gonna miss you and Glameow," Candice said, embracing her. Zoey felt herself choke back something in her throat.
"I'll miss you too," she said. "I'll miss everyone." Candice pulled back, cupped her face, and kissed her.
"Now!" Candice began after they broke apart. "Don't you worry about your other Pokémon while you're gone! I'll take really good care of them and make sure they get lots of exercise. You just make sure you and Glameow take good care of yourselves, too, all right?"
"Oh, we will," Zoey said, glancing down at Glameow. She looked back at her trainer and let out a long, drawling meow.
"Also, make sure you call often, or maybe that guy teaching across the hall will end up sweeping me off my feet!" Candice added.
Zoey scoffed.
"You mean the super gay guy?"
"Er… yeah…"
"I think I'll be okay then." Zoey smirked. "But I'll call every day, just in case."
Candice departed not long after. Zoey watched her drive off, then turned toward security while rubbing her tired and teary eyes. Glameow mewled at her trainer worriedly. Zoey picked the feline up and held her close in her arms while also managing to dry her tears with her thumb.
"Come on," she said. "It's just you and me now."