Baltusia

[ReformedEndralon]

July 4920

Republican Party Convention Endorses James Adams

The Republican Party convention in the capital city Johnston endorsed Governor James Adams as the presidential candidate for the party for the second Presidential election in a row. The former Governor of Ralston (4908-4916), narrowly lost the Presidential race in 4916. Presidential-candidate Adams vowed to;

continue the work that the Republican Party has started in the last twelve years in building Baltusia as a nation of strong morality, creating a new Yishelem on Terra!!! Elyon bless Baltusia!!!

Adams also committed himself to supporting the Republican Party's pro-business and socially conservative legislative policies, along with measures to ensure border security and to maintain the controversial "John bird" segregation policies introduced by the Republicans in 4913.



John Adams and his family accept the nomination.

As well as a former Governor of Ralston, Adams served in the Baltusian Marine Corps and was a successful businessman. Adams in a member of the Restorationist Church of Eliyahu and Latter Day Hosians and if elected president would be the first member of the Latter Day Hosians to become President of Baltusia. He would also be the first Presdient to have two First Ladies.

[Kb77]

SUP Renominate Edward Harrison For President


Edward Harrison

The Socialist Unity Party of Baltusia (SUP), Has renominated party representative and defacto leader; Edward Harrison, for President by unamous assent. Harrison recieved nearly 9 million votes last election, and with the collapse of the United party, is expected to perform significantly better, he has promised massive economic and social reform if elected, as well as reversal of segregation and immigration laws, and is said to sit in the middle of the SUP ideologically.
Claudia Tovantiz (Senator for Santiago) was nominated for VP, a feminist and socialist she is particulary popular with younger voters.

[ReformedEndralon]

September 4920

Republicans Win the Presidency and Senate

With the highest turnout in an election in thirty years, the Republican Party has regained both the Presidency and its status as the Majority Party in the Senate in the elections of September 4920. President Adams defeated the Socialist Unity Party (SUP) Presidential candidate Edward Harrison by over five million votes, and the Republicans seized control of the Senate with a ten seat majority. This will allow the Republicans to comfortably govern for four more years and given the inactivity of the United Party in the last four year Senate term by 4924 the Republicans will have effectively dominated the Senate for sixteen years.

Despite the win by the Republicans the SUP will have plenty to be pleased with, confirming their position as the Minority Party after the collpase of the United Party and winning two Gubernatorial races in Santiago and Westbrook.

President Adams

So at his second attempt James Adams is elected to the highest office in the United States. President Adams served as the Governor of Ralston between 4908-4916 before running as the Presidential candidate in 4916 and losing to President Johnson. He easily won the Republican nomination for a second time and will now look forward to a four year term of office in the Presidential House in the capital city Johnston.



President Adams flanked by the two First Ladies on the campaign trail in New Egelion.

President Adams is the first member of the Latter Day Hosians (LDH) to be elected to office. The LDH have previously been subject to official discrimination as a cult, however the Republican Party moved to end religious discrimination in 4910. Since then the LDH has flourished with membership of between 1-2 million and a number of members prominently active within the Republican Party, most notably President Adams.

But interestingly for international observers, the LDH widely practice polygamy and President Adams is no exception. He has two wives and both Evelyn and Laura Adams will be moving into the Presidents House. This may cause some confusion with protocol as there have never been two First Ladies before and this may impact state visits as many countries around the world do not recognise polygamy.

State Results

At the state level the Republicans won three races in Ralston, Attano and New Egelion. This represents the fourth straight win in their electoral stronghold of Ralston, although some perhaps cause for concern as the Republicans won by a mere 9% of the vote. The victory in New Egelion is the first time a Republican Governor has been reelected in a state other than in Ralston. The victory in Attano by almost 40% makes it the safest Republican state and the party will likely be confident they can hold onto it next time.

The SUP will be pleased with two successes, winning the Governors race in Santiago for the second straight election and also gaining the progressive western state of Westbrook along the Valruzian border. With dozens of new representatives elected at the state level the SUP will have a new pool of candidates to draw from in future elections.



SUP wins in dark red.

[ReformedEndralon]

The following is a snippet from a travel guide to Baltusia and should be seen as background information for RP over the next few years in the country.

...Note of caution for tourists in the United States of Baltusia

While Baltusia has a lot to offer any tourist, we must advise certain tourists that it may not be the best place to book a holiday.
Since 4913, the United States has operated the notorious “John Bird” laws, which have enacted state-enforced discrimination against the “Esinsundu-Baltusian” (or Black) population. The laws officially segregate education and public amenities, and in conjunction with laws on gated communities ensures that the Black population of Baltusia are to a large extent kept separate from the non-Black population.



A sign at a beach in Santiago state

Although some elements of the John Bird law code have been overturned in recent years, most measures remain in place. Strict laws on interracial relationships are still applied and such relationships are illegal. Tourists from mixed race relationships will not be allowed to stay in the same rooms and may even be arrested.



Residential areas are segregated

If this causes discomfort then we would advise tourists to look for an alternative holiday location...

[Kb77]

The End of Segregation?
The Baltusia Herald

Michael Hawkins At a press conference
Puerto Vallejo, Santiago: and Michael Hawkins; Noted Community organizer and civil rights leader, founder of the NAMB (National Alliance of Minorities in Baltusia) is holding a rally, a desegregated rally no less, thousands of people of all colours are in attendance as well as multiple notable politicians and celebrities, such as; Claudia Tovantiz; Senator for Santiago and SUP Vp candidate, Writer William Donaldson and actress Bernadette Holmes.

Despite the rally breaking multiple federal laws, no arrests have been made (unlike protests and rallies in other parts of Baltusia), This is thanks to Governor John Juarez (SUP) of Santiago: whose anti-segregation stance is so strong it has brought him into direct conflict with the federal government on numerous occasions, but on the other hand has brought him great popularity with many voters.


Governor Juarez

Many of the attendee are in their 20s and 30s, but some such as Pete 55 (who asked that we not use his last name) were older; we interviewed him about why he was here

My Mother was black and my father was white. Under The John Bird laws they would have been arrested and i wouldnt exist, thats why i'm here.

His answer was just one of the many we received, others felt the laws oppressive, one man when asked, replied: "cause im black of course" many SUP supporters were in attendance, as were others groups such as members of the Racial Solidarity Group, Hosians Against Racism, Whites for Minorities, Minorities Matter and many Trade Union Reps.

Though the speeches were stirring and the crowd was in a positive (and determined) mood, hope was relatively low, most people we talked to said they didn't expect the Civil Rights Act to pass; despite the hard work of the SUP and campaigners, and many were preparing for protests and strikes across Baltusia, the majority of which will likely be in diverse Santiago and The progressive working class Westbrook. Baltusia is at a crossroads and the next year will be the most volatile some say, for hundereds of years; perhaps even since the civil war. but for now the silence is deafening.

[ReformedEndralon]

August 4921

President Threatens to Declare State of Emergency

At a press conference today President Adams has threatened to declare a state of emergency if any states continue to openly break Federal Law. Although the President did not specify any specific examples it is believed that this is in response to the Governor of Santiago flouting Federal Laws on segregation. Currently the President can use the Armed Forces to support the police in the event of a state of emergency although the Republican Party has just introduced legislation to the Senate that would allow the police to disperse a crowd if a state of emergency has been declared.



President Adams speaking at the press conference

The President reiterated his support for segregation and that it benefited all as blacks needed their own spaces to commit crime and perform poorly at school without harming the rest of society. The Republican majority in the Senate has worked to block proposals to introduce new universal civil rights in the United States but some Republican Senators had expressed interest in devolving such decision to the States as a potential solution.

[ReformedEndralon]

January 4922

School Shooting in Santiago

Distressing scenes from a High School in the state of Santiago as a student shot 14 people before turning the gun in humself. This has opened up another debate on gun control in the United States which has some of the most lax gun legislation in Terra. Although saddened by the atrocity President Adams briefed journalists that the right to bear arms was an important constitutional right for all Baltusians and that he would oppose any efforts to right the right to bear arms.



A gun fair in Ralston state

As with most mass-shootings and elections there has been a surge in sales of firearms and ammunition. Guns manufacturers are trifling to deal with the demand and there has been a surge in sales of firearms from neighbouring states, particularly Kalistan, Lodamun and Valruzia which have similarly lax gun control laws.

[ReformedEndralon]

February 4923

President Adams U-Turns on Federal Segregation Laws

Following splits in his own Republican Party, President Adams has decided not to veto a compromise proposal put forward by Republican Senators that removes policy on segregation to the state level for education, desegregates government amenities and decriminalises interracial relationships. The proposal passed with the support of the anti-segregation Socialist Unity Party (SUP), which had initially threatened to oppose, and with the support of most Republican Senators. However there was a small rebellion from Republican Senators, especially in Santiago where the narrow SUP majority in the State Senate would ensure that all education facilities were desegregated.



President Adams signs the new legislation into law

Republican law makers in Attano, New Egelion and Ralston states rushed to implement new legislation that ensures schools remain segregated in those states. The John Bird laws implemented ten years ago, specifically seperated the Esinsundu population from the rest of the Baltusian population. However given that most Esinsundu (RLE: African-Americans) live in New Egelion and Santiago states, the law has had less of an effect in states such as Attano and Westbrook that have much smaller Esinsundu populations.

June 4923

Senate Proposes Presidential and State Governor Term Limit

Republican Majority Leader in the Senate, Senator Lukas Harrison, has proposed that term limits for the President and State Governors are written into the constitution. Senator Harrison suggested that it was a democratic principle that constitutional checks and balances were in place to prevent an individual gaining too much power and that two full four-years terms were sufficient for a President or State Governor to effect a policy agenda. The Republican Party already informally operates such a policy.

August 4923

Senator Vaasco announces Primary Challenge against President Adams

Confirming the rumours, Senator Diego Vaasco from Santiago state has announced that he will mount a Primary challenge against President Adams. Senator Vaasco heralds from the right-wing of the Republican Party and was visibly upset when President Adams supported policies ending segregation in government services and allowing the states to choose to set their own policies on the issue. Senator Vaasco is also a devout Aurorian hosian and has previously criticised the Latter Day Hosians to which President Adams belongs, describing them as a "poylgamist cult" and that "Latter Day Hosians are not Hosians".

However it is unsure whether or not Senator Vaasco will directly go for the Presidents faith. Discussing private faith will not go down well with the Republican hardcore, particularly in the largely Luthoran northern states where most Republcians are typically anti-Aurorian



Senator Vaasco at a press conference

President Adams aides released the following statement;

The President welcomes the primary challenge as it is healthy for democracy and for the Republican Party to have ideas vigorously debated in a public forum and for the wider public to have the opportunity to choose the next Presidential candidate. The President has always had a good relationship with the Senator and will seek a mature contest that avoids underhand mud-slinging.

[Kb77]

Governor Juarez picked as SUP Presidential candidate

Governor John Juarez, At the SUP National Convention
Governor of Santiago: John Juarez has been elected by SUP members as their candidate for President. The Governor's high profile leadership - especially during the segregation crisis - has won him many admirers (and some critics) after Edward Harrison announced he wouldn't be running for president at the 4924 election, a "Draft Juarez" movement sprang up. Noted civil rights leader Michael Hawkins was offered the nomination for VP; which he accepted. the ticket is given a good chance
in the upcoming election.

full results below
Out of 2000 Delegates
President
Govenor John Juarez 1490
Senator Ernst Waterhouse 350
Senator Petra Smith 149
"Crazy" Bill Johnson 4
None of the Above 7

Vice President
Michael Hawkins 1920
Senator Claudia Tovantiz (not running) 29
None of the above 51

[ReformedEndralon]

October 4928

Good morning President Madison, third straight Republican Presidential victory

Republican Ronald Madison, former Governor of Ralston, has eeked out a narrow second round victory over his Socialist Unity opponent John Juarez. On a turnout of almost 80%, President Madison won by just under 800,000 votes, or 1.3% of the total. This the first time since 4916 that the Presidential elections have headed to a second round, after the formation of the Democratic Conservative Party further divides the electorate.



President Madison gives his first speech as President of the United State.

Socialist Unity candidate and former Governor of Santaigo John Juarez came agonisingly close to winning for the first time for the Socialists after he was also beaten by 1.9 million votes in 4924. The former Governor of Santiago has been a key figure in the fight against segregation, although he was likely hurt by the formation of the Democratic Conservative Party who performed strongly in Santaigo, likely deflating Juarez's second round performance in that state as switchers away from the Socialist Unity Party were more likely to abstain in the second round.

Republicans lose majority in Senate

Despite winning the Presidency for the third time in a row, the Republicans lost over a quarter of their seats in the Senate, with 14 less Senators being elected bringing the number of Republicans to 37 and losing their majority. The formation of the Democratic Conservative Party, a moderate centrist party gained centrist Republicans voters. The DCP also gained most of the support of the Liberal Democratic Party, which had contested the 4924 Senate elections. However, although the DCP are more moderate than the Republicans, it is a strong possibility that they will work with the Republican Party, ensuring that the President is able to form a government with majority support in the Senate.

Republicans crash at the State level

The Republican disaster was exacerbated at the Gubernatorial level where the Republicans went from running three Governors mansions to just their electoral stronghold of Ralston. However, even in Ralston, although the Republicans won the Gubernatorial election for the sixth straight election, the winning margin of just over 100,000 votes and a deadlocked State Senate, means that the Republicans almost faced a total wipe out at the State level. Can the Republican Party rebuild? Or can the Socialist Unity Party break their four election losing streak in the State and win at the next election?



The Democratic Conservatives won three Gubernatorial elections.

The DCP will be pleased with their haul of three Governors mansions in their first elections. It creates a solid platform for the party for the next Presidential and Senate elections where the DCP will hope to emerge as the largest party in Baltusia.