America the Beautiful: An American Political RP (OOC)

[Dentali]

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Character Application and Information Sheet

NS Nation Name: Louis
Character Name: Henry Mason
Character Gender: Male
Character Age: 65
Character Height: 6 ft 4
Character Weight: 199 Lbs
Character Position/Role/Job: US Representative of Utah's 4th Congressional District (2020-), Utah House Rep 2nd District (1986-2020) Utah Speaker of the House (2014-2018)
Character State of Origin: Virginia
Character State of Residence: Utah
Character Party Affiliation: Republican
Main Strengths: Has GOP Establishment Support, Excellent Campaigner, Supporter of Wolf
Main Weaknesses: Wildcard, Carpetbagger, Anger Issues
Biography: Henry was born in 1955 to Bernie and Henrietta Mason, he was the third of 4 children, his father worked at a Rice Mill and his mother stayed home. He was enrolled in a Blacks only school until the age of 14 in 1969 when he was finally put into a desegregated school in Gainesville, after many other attempts throughout the sixties.

After graduating school, Henry took interest in stage acting. Henry moved to New York, where he would try his hand at Broadway. He stuck around for a year or two but had no real successes. He went to college there for Law, during his time in college, he met a woman, Talia, who would soon become his wife. After they were married, they moved to Talia's home state of Utah. During the move, a mover had accidentally dropped a vase down the stairs almost hitting Talia, Henry grabbed him by his throat and threw him out of the house. The moving company filed a lawsuit, and Henry won due to lack of evidence as his wife committed perjury on the stand. He went into debt for the first few years of his time in Utah due to the costs of the lawyer, before finding work as a Lawyer himself.

Talia's father was a state representative and encouraged Henry to use his charismatic nature and approach in the world of politics. Henry was reluctant, but ran for his state House of Representatives and won with relatively small margins in 1986, but it was enough to get him into the State House. He won the Utah House of Representatives Seat for District 2. He was very passionate at getting the various governors work done, so passionate in fact, he would resort to threatening other members of the House. Soon, he became popular in state politics working with the Republican Governors of his time. He is an acclaimed supporter of Gov. Abernathy, and has worked directly with the man many times. In 2014, Henry mason was elected as the Speaker of the House in the Utah State Legislature, and resigned in 2018 after laying his hands on another Representative.

Then he had decided to run for US Representative of the 4th Congressional District. He won with incredibly slim margins and there is a great chance he may lose the midterms.

Other Info: He has 3 children, he is still married to Talia Monroe, he has spells of anger, and may have anger issues. He has been a practicing mormon since he moved with his wifes family in Utah.

He supported Wolf quietly, but currently dislikes him.

He is fairly moderate with his politics similar to Bobby Jindal, and Mitt Romney; He doesn't have any 'beef' with most Democrats. Which is a reason he was asked to speak at the 2020 RNC. Throughout the 2020 Election, he supported Nate Richardson wholeheartedly. He is fairly conservative on issues like abortion and gay marriage but is moderate on Immigration, and Gun Rights.


I have read and accept the rules of the roleplay: (Louisianan)

Do Not Remove: DRAFT87421

This application needs to be generally expanded on just about all fronts, though his long career in the Utah state house should most certainly be fleshed out the most.

Echoing Vaq here... I would just add a paragraph about his highlights and lowlights as Utah Speaker and i'd be happy to accept

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

What's the general economic situation with Wisconsin at the moment? worse or better than the national average?

[Dentali]

What's the general economic situation with Wisconsin at the moment? worse or better than the national average?

We are mirroring the irl economics for ease. So whatever the economic situation was in February of 2021 is the same as in the RP.

After more economic stuff makes it through congress and onto the president's desk we will work on changes but its likely going to be relative to irl ie: 2% worse, 3% better etc

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

What's the general economic situation with Wisconsin at the moment? worse or better than the national average?

We are mirroring the irl economics for ease. So whatever the economic situation was in February of 2021 is the same as in the RP.

After more economic stuff makes it through congress and onto the president's desk we will work on changes but its likely going to be relative to irl ie: 2% worse, 3% better etc

But January unemployment was 6.3% nationally and in the RP it's like 11%? last time it was that high irl was june 2020.

[Hanovereich]

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Character Application and Information Sheet

NS Nation Name: Hanovereich
Character Name: Easton Pearce
Character Gender: M
Character Age: 43
Character Height: 5’5”
Character Weight: 150lbs
Character Position/Role/Job: Representative for North Dakota's at large district (2015-); 32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (2000-2013)
Character Country/State of Birth: North Dakota
Character State of Residence: North Dakota
Character Party Affiliation: Republican
Main Strengths: Has popular support in the state, some name recognition (especially in urban areas), good speechwriter
Main Weaknesses: Inexperienced orator; can sometimes say some inappropriate remarks at inappropriate times; as a conviction politician, he sometimes votes away from the party line, can be quick-tempered (especially when things don't go his way), and does not easily agree to compromises (most likely if it goes against his convictions)
Biography: (Minimum 2-3 paragraphs) Easton Pearce was born in Fargo, North Dakota. At school, he was found to be a keen learner with a talent to remember facts- possibly from his mother, Whitney Pearce, who worked as a political editor for the Grand Forks Herald. Easton was found to be interested in journalism and military history- he said that he wanted to work as a military reporter.

In 1995 Easton was accepted into the North Dakota State University He gained a Bachelor of Science cum laude in History, with a dissertation on the American Civil War and the two sides' strategies.

After he graduated he applied for CNN, but after a brief spell as an intern his request to be a military reporter was rejected. Instead his father encouraged him to join the military, since the Pearces found the military an ideal location for their child- and it would fulfil Easton's ambition of military reporting, kind of... He applied for West Point and received a nomination from his local Senator. He was accepted.

After exceling at the academics side (and not doing so well at physical training), he graduated into the Class of 2000. He then joined the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment as a second lieutenant. After a tour of duty in the Kosovo Force, he was deployed, along with the 1st Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division, into Iraq. He was involved in building FOB Chosin, as well as, whilst at FOB Manhattan, in the occupation of Ramadi. In 2006 he once again saw combat, this time in Afghanistan. He patrolled Kunar Province, and was involved in a skirmish against local fighters. He shot a Taliban fighter whilst directing soldiers to radio to FOB Joyce, and commanding an assault by a squad of his platoon. For his efforts that day, he was awarded the Bronze Star.

He was also involved in patrolling Khost Province with the 25th Field Artillery Regiment. When he returned to the United States, he took a one-week leave and started to get involved in politics. His policies were mainly Republican, and thinking of himself as a conviction politician, he decided that, when he left the military, he would join the Republican Party. He was deployed back to Kunar Province one more time, in 2009. In 2010 the entire regiment returned to the United States, and Easton, after serving his needed time, became a Major. (He had been promoted through the ranks after his needed times of service). He became CO of Bravo Company.

After more deployments to Afghanistan in 2011 and 2013, and being considered for commander of the regiment twice (the 32nd Reg. CO was a Lieutenant Colonel, and Easton had performed all his necessary periods of time), he returned to his headquarters at Fort Drum and took leave. Throughout his military service he had, through his friends and family, kept abreast of the political situation, and had slowly garnered support in his local community.

In 2013 he resigned his commission. It has been said that, had he stayed in the military for a few more months, he would have been made the CO of the 32nd Infantry Regiment. Easton decided to go into politics. He won the Republican primaries- albeit by a slim margin of just 9%. His community in the at-large district supported him, and since the state supported the Republicans generally, his seat was seen as a safe one. In the 2014 election, he won with 58.6% of the vote.

In 2016 he was re-elected with 67.4% of the vote, on a platform of improving development standards in his state. Many of his supporters, including his old military friends, encouraged him to go for the gubernations, and it was believed that Easton would have won both the primaries and the election. However, Easton declined, saying that he 'prefer[ed] to represent North Dakota rather than command'. In 2018 he was re-elected with 64.17%. In 2020 he had his largest majority yet- 69.04%, with all but three counties voting for him.

During his time in Congress, he has criticised Roe v. Wade, and calling for its overrule. He reluctantly voted against the USA Freedom Act, in line with the party, but expressed his reservations in private. He did not vote for the Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act, saying that 'If we want to send companies into space, we can simply colonise space'. He vigorously supported the 21st Century Cures Act, and went around Congress to canvass for its support. Overall, his Congressional career was uneventful, save for a few votes against the party. His biggest highlight is in his state. He visited small businesses across North Dakota, and pledged to create a new fund in North Dakota, with the aim to meet some of the running costs for smaller businesses. He also endorsed bills in the North Dakota Legislative Assembly to reduce costs for public buildings (including the state library, the school for the deaf, and the school for the blind), and called on the Governor of North Dakota to build more schools.
He has since decided that he will run in the Senate in 2022.

He opposes abortion and has spoken out against it, both in Congress and in his state. Whilst he calls himself a conviction politician, he is also a politician, and can sometimes vote against his wishes if he believes it is good for the party. Generally, he votes in line with the party whip. The instances where he votes contrary to the whip will probably be with LGBT issues.
Other Info:

I have read and accept the rules of the roleplay: Hanovereich

Do Not Remove: DRAFT87421

[Dentali]

We are mirroring the irl economics for ease. So whatever the economic situation was in February of 2021 is the same as in the RP.

After more economic stuff makes it through congress and onto the president's desk we will work on changes but its likely going to be relative to irl ie: 2% worse, 3% better etc

But January unemployment was 6.3% nationally and in the RP it's like 11%? last time it was that high irl was june 2020.

You are correct, because this crisis doesn't have a body count we have roughly doubled the economic impact. I forgot to mention that. So whatever it was for wisconsin at the time, double it and round down.

[Meretica]

I clicked on the wrong forum and didn't even notice XD

Any takers?

[The Congressional Wages Act]

A BILL
To Lower the Pay of the Congress to that of the Minimum Wage

Sponsor: John A. Mattox III (D-MA8)
Senate Sponsors:
House Sponsors:

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "Congressional Wages Act".

SECTION 2: Lowering the Wages of Members of Congress

From the events of the next election, the wages of the members of the House and Senate shall not exceed that of the Federal Minimum Wage at any given time. No members of the House or Senate shall be exempt including but not limited to the Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Majority Leaders of the House and Senate, and the Minority Leaders of the House and Senate.

SECTION 3: Total Spending of Wages

The funds previously set aside for spending on providing the wages of Congressional officials shall henceforth be cut from $1,407,500 to $4,012.50 and not raised until the Federal Minimum Wage is raised. This money is to be divided equally among the members of the House and Senate.

[The Orion Islands]

I clicked on the wrong forum and didn't even notice XD

Any takers?

(Image)
[The Congressional Wages Act]

A BILL
To Lower the Pay of the Congress to that of the Minimum Wage

Sponsor: John A. Mattox III (D-MA8)
Senate Sponsors:
House Sponsors:

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "Congressional Wages Act".

SECTION 2: Lowering the Wages of Members of Congress

From the events of the next election, the wages of the members of the House and Senate shall not exceed that of the Federal Minimum Wage at any given time. No members of the House or Senate shall be exempt including but not limited to the Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Majority Leaders of the House and Senate, and the Minority Leaders of the House and Senate.

SECTION 3: Total Spending of Wages

The funds previously set aside for spending on providing the wages of Congressional officials shall henceforth be cut from $1,407,500 to $4,012.50 and not raised until the Federal Minimum Wage is raised. This money is to be divided equally among the members of the House and Senate.

That is a major no-no. Virtually no one in Congress would be able to afford living in D.C. And I say that due to the limits on outside income.

[Meretica]

I clicked on the wrong forum and didn't even notice XD

Any takers?

(Image)
[The Congressional Wages Act]

A BILL
To Lower the Pay of the Congress to that of the Minimum Wage

Sponsor: John A. Mattox III (D-MA8)
Senate Sponsors:
House Sponsors:

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "Congressional Wages Act".

SECTION 2: Lowering the Wages of Members of Congress

From the events of the next election, the wages of the members of the House and Senate shall not exceed that of the Federal Minimum Wage at any given time. No members of the House or Senate shall be exempt including but not limited to the Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Majority Leaders of the House and Senate, and the Minority Leaders of the House and Senate.

SECTION 3: Total Spending of Wages

The funds previously set aside for spending on providing the wages of Congressional officials shall henceforth be cut from $1,407,500 to $4,012.50 and not raised until the Federal Minimum Wage is raised. This money is to be divided equally among the members of the House and Senate.

That is a major no-no. Virtually no one in Congress would be able to afford living in D.C. And I say that due to the limits on outside income.

That's the intended purpose of it. The bill is intended to force Congress to raise the minimum wage (though it certainly is an added benefit that we would arguably be taking that pay would be less of a reason for people to run).

[Yaruqo]

It would also eliminate all working class candidates from being able to run and hold a seat that they can’t afford. Miller would be extremely opposed to this on those grounds.

[Meretica]

It would also eliminate all working-class candidates from being able to run and hold a seat that they can’t afford. Miller would be extremely opposed to this on those grounds.

Another intended effect, though more powerful than intended. It is more a strong statement in favor of raising the minimum wage than anything else because it wouldn't pass without support from the GOP and many Democrats. The reasoning behind this is something along the lines of "if the minimum wage is good enough for the average American, it's good enough for me."

[Alozia]

It would also eliminate all working-class candidates from being able to run and hold a seat that they can’t afford. Miller would be extremely opposed to this on those grounds.

Another intended effect, though more powerful than intended. It is more a strong statement in favor of raising the minimum wage than anything else because it wouldn't pass without support from the GOP and many Democrats. The reasoning behind this is something along the lines of "if the minimum wage is good enough for the average American, it's good enough for me."

Corruption go up

[Meretica]

Another intended effect, though more powerful than intended. It is more a strong statement in favor of raising the minimum wage than anything else because it wouldn't pass without support from the GOP and many Democrats. The reasoning behind this is something along the lines of "if the minimum wage is good enough for the average American, it's good enough for me."

Corruption go up

Not if it doesn't pass-- because it won't. It's not intended to pass. It's intended to make a strong statement regarding the minimum wage in America. If I was trying to introduce a theoretically passable bill, I'd probably cut Congressional pay in half at most-- but it'd still be unlikely to pass as certain members of Congress don't think they should be paid less, but more.

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

Corruption go up

Not if it doesn't pass-- because it won't. It's not intended to pass. It's intended to make a strong statement regarding the minimum wage in America. If I was trying to introduce a theoretically passable bill, I'd probably cut Congressional pay in half at most-- but it'd still be unlikely to pass as certain members of Congress don't think they should be paid less, but more.

the other practical thing is that if you pay congress people less your increasing their relative loyalty to the lobbyist money they can make outside of congress/money they make from their own investments.

[Velahor]

Not if it doesn't pass-- because it won't. It's not intended to pass. It's intended to make a strong statement regarding the minimum wage in America. If I was trying to introduce a theoretically passable bill, I'd probably cut Congressional pay in half at most-- but it'd still be unlikely to pass as certain members of Congress don't think they should be paid less, but more.

the other practical thing is that if you pay congress people less your increasing their relative loyalty to the lobbyist money they can make outside of congress/money they make from their own investments.

Also, it de-incentivizes attorneys from running for Congress, most of whom make greater than $100,000. While much complaining has been done among populist types about having a government full of lawyers, in contrast, it's actually very valuable to have people with a legal education in Congress. At least some of the people who are writing new laws should know how existing laws work.

[Louisianan]

Corruption go up

Not if it doesn't pass-- because it won't. It's not intended to pass. It's intended to make a strong statement regarding the minimum wage in America. If I was trying to introduce a theoretically passable bill, I'd probably cut Congressional pay in half at most-- but it'd still be unlikely to pass as certain members of Congress don't think they should be paid less, but more.

Its nprolly not even going to go on the agenda

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Not if it doesn't pass-- because it won't. It's not intended to pass. It's intended to make a strong statement regarding the minimum wage in America. If I was trying to introduce a theoretically passable bill, I'd probably cut Congressional pay in half at most-- but it'd still be unlikely to pass as certain members of Congress don't think they should be paid less, but more.

Its nprolly not even going to go on the agenda

There is not a single vote for it in the House, and I think the attempt might add to the growing sense that Mattox is losing his touch.

[Meretica]

I clicked on the wrong forum and didn't even notice XD

Any takers?

(Image)
[The Congressional Wages Act]

A BILL
To Lower the Pay of the Congress to that of the Minimum Wage

Sponsor: John A. Mattox III (D-MA8)
Senate Sponsors:
House Sponsors:

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "Congressional Wages Act".

SECTION 2: Lowering the Wages of Members of Congress

From the events of the next election, the wages of the members of the House and Senate shall not exceed that of the Federal Minimum Wage at any given time. No members of the House or Senate shall be exempt including but not limited to the Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Majority Leaders of the House and Senate, and the Minority Leaders of the House and Senate.

SECTION 3: Total Spending of Wages

The funds previously set aside for spending on providing the wages of Congressional officials shall henceforth be cut from $1,407,500 to $4,012.50 and not raised until the Federal Minimum Wage is raised. This money is to be divided equally among the members of the House and Senate.

Allow me to rephrase my question:

Given that there is absolutely no chance that this would pass (and that it would be unlikely to be added to the agenda), who would be willing to co-sponsor this bill solely based on the spirit and not on the actual wording of the bill? This is not designed to pass but to produce further discussion about how Congress takes higher wages than the average American in addition to money from PACs, lobbyists, and what money they are making through their other jobs/businesses (e.g. family law firms, income from spouses, etc). Nor is it to convey the idea that Mattox is losing his touch-- just the opposite, in fact. Congressional officials make roughly $608 per hour for their work in DC. This is meant to spur debate regarding how it's okay for Congress to have a living wage but not the average American.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

I clicked on the wrong forum and didn't even notice XD

Any takers?

(Image)
[The Congressional Wages Act]

A BILL
To Lower the Pay of the Congress to that of the Minimum Wage

Sponsor: John A. Mattox III (D-MA8)
Senate Sponsors:
House Sponsors:

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "Congressional Wages Act".

SECTION 2: Lowering the Wages of Members of Congress

From the events of the next election, the wages of the members of the House and Senate shall not exceed that of the Federal Minimum Wage at any given time. No members of the House or Senate shall be exempt including but not limited to the Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Majority Leaders of the House and Senate, and the Minority Leaders of the House and Senate.

SECTION 3: Total Spending of Wages

The funds previously set aside for spending on providing the wages of Congressional officials shall henceforth be cut from $1,407,500 to $4,012.50 and not raised until the Federal Minimum Wage is raised. This money is to be divided equally among the members of the House and Senate.

Allow me to rephrase my question:

Given that there is absolutely no chance that this would pass (and that it would be unlikely to be added to the agenda), who would be willing to co-sponsor this bill solely based on the spirit and not on the actual wording of the bill? This is not designed to pass but to produce further discussion about how Congress takes higher wages than the average American in addition to money from PACs, lobbyists, and what money they are making through their other jobs/businesses (e.g. family law firms, income from spouses, etc). Nor is it to convey the idea that Mattox is losing his touch-- just the opposite, in fact. Congressional officials make roughly $608 per hour for their work in DC. This is meant to spur debate regarding how it's okay for Congress to have a living wage but not the average American.

There are ways to stimulate a discussion about the minimum wage - not least with the fact that the PPT has submitted a bill on the subject in the Senate - without having to submit a dead-on-arrival bill that invites obvious mockery and casts aspersions on an elderly House Democrat who's already in a bad place.

[Meretica]

Allow me to rephrase my question:

Given that there is absolutely no chance that this would pass (and that it would be unlikely to be added to the agenda), who would be willing to co-sponsor this bill solely based on the spirit and not on the actual wording of the bill? This is not designed to pass but to produce further discussion about how Congress takes higher wages than the average American in addition to money from PACs, lobbyists, and what money they are making through their other jobs/businesses (e.g. family law firms, income from spouses, etc). Nor is it to convey the idea that Mattox is losing his touch-- just the opposite, in fact. Congressional officials make roughly $608 per hour for their work in DC. This is meant to spur debate regarding how it's okay for Congress to have a living wage but not the average American.

There are ways to stimulate a discussion about the minimum wage - not least with the fact that the PPT has submitted a bill on the subject in the Senate - without having to submit a dead-on-arrival bill that invites obvious mockery and casts aspersions on an elderly House Democrat who's already in a bad place.

The CCA does not go far enough, both IC and OOC. While it is certainly an admirable attempt to address the issue of Congressional overpay, it does not bring up the issue of raising the minimum wage, only lowering the Congressional wage. I'd also not argue that Mattox is "in a bad place." Not every Democrat will vote the party line on every single issue. Voting against the party line on one bill is unlikely to end a career, especially given that it is so early into the term.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

There are ways to stimulate a discussion about the minimum wage - not least with the fact that the PPT has submitted a bill on the subject in the Senate - without having to submit a dead-on-arrival bill that invites obvious mockery and casts aspersions on an elderly House Democrat who's already in a bad place.

The CCA does not go far enough, both IC and OOC. While it is certainly an admirable attempt to address the issue of Congressional overpay, it does not bring up the issue of raising the minimum wage, only lowering the Congressional wage. I'd also not argue that Mattox is "in a bad place." Not every Democrat will vote the party line on every single issue. Voting against the party line on one bill is unlikely to end a career, especially given that it is so early into the term.

I wasn't talking about the CCA, I was talking about the Modern Minimum Wage Act, which concerns raising the minimum wage in a very comprehensive manner. And Mattox is in a bad place because he's from urban Boston and he decided to stick it to leadership with an inexplicable vote on an agriculture bill, whilst making strange Tweets that make him sound like he's losing his wits. His pattern of behaviour is erratic and confused.

[Dentali]

That is a major no-no. Virtually no one in Congress would be able to afford living in D.C. And I say that due to the limits on outside income.

That's the intended purpose of it. The bill is intended to force Congress to raise the minimum wage (though it certainly is an added benefit that we would arguably be taking that pay would be less of a reason for people to run).

This would make it impossible for people to be in politics without taking money from powerful interests. You want to raise the minimum wage then write that bill

[Dentali]

Corruption go up

Not if it doesn't pass-- because it won't. It's not intended to pass. It's intended to make a strong statement regarding the minimum wage in America. If I was trying to introduce a theoretically passable bill, I'd probably cut Congressional pay in half at most-- but it'd still be unlikely to pass as certain members of Congress don't think they should be paid less, but more.

Yea if it’s to make a point then that works… maybe have it last a year? “Try a year living on the minimum wage.”

[Meretica]

The CCA does not go far enough, both IC and OOC. While it is certainly an admirable attempt to address the issue of Congressional overpay, it does not bring up the issue of raising the minimum wage, only lowering the Congressional wage. I'd also not argue that Mattox is "in a bad place." Not every Democrat will vote the party line on every single issue. Voting against the party line on one bill is unlikely to end a career, especially given that it is so early into the term.

I wasn't talking about the CCA, I was talking about the Modern Minimum Wage Act, which concerns raising the minimum wage in a very comprehensive manner. And Mattox is in a bad place because he's from urban Boston and he decided to stick it to party leaders with an inexplicable vote on an agriculture bill, whilst making strange Tweets that make him sound like he's losing his wits. His pattern of behavior is erratic and confusing.

Mattox's Tweets were intentionally odd. It's his sense of humor-- one that certainly wouldn't have been developed overnight. He would've had it for years (decades, even). And I think that his vote in the agriculture bill makes sense as he believed it to be an improvement from what was already in place. (John McCain) did a similar thing when it came down to the ACA.

I've now read the MMWA. I have a few issues with the bill but will address those if it comes to the House. After all, (Fake Manchin) still exists.

[New Cobastheia]

Because we are in desperate want for House Republicans who aren't batshit crazy...

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Character Application and Information Sheet

NS Nation Name: Vaquas

Character Name: Keanu Ionakana

Character Gender: Male

Character Age: 49

Character Height: 6'0

Character Weight: 190 lbs

Character Position/Role/Job:
Representative from California’s 50th Congressional District (2019 - Present)
United States Ambassador to New Zealand (2017 - 2018)
United States Ambassador to Samoa (2017 - 2018)
Chairman of the Log Cabin Republicans (2014 - 2017)
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Lobbyist (2012 - 2017)
Representative from Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District (2010 - 2011)

Character Country/State of Birth: Hawaii

Character State of Residence: California

Character Party Affiliation: Republican

Main Strengths: Credibility with both the establishment and Wolfist wings of the party, Military experience and associated credibility, Strong fundraiser, liked by leadership

Main Weaknesses: Shameless careerist, Arrogant and self-important, LGBT Republican, vulnerable to attacks on corporate financing and background

Biography: Born July 2, 1971 in Pearl City, Hawaii to a Samoan mother and a Native Hawaiian father, Keanu Ionakana’s upbringing was an impoverished one, both of his parents working low wage custodial jobs at the Pearl Harbor naval base and struggling to afford to raise him and take care of his maternal grandparents at the same time. Resolving early into his life to improve upon the circumstances he was born into, Keanu looked to the same complex that his parents worked at as his ticket out, developing an obsession with the ships that moved in and out of harbor and resolving that one day he would be commanding one of them, not just watching from afar. He excelled in his early schooling, involving himself deeply in student government and other extracurriculars and graduating as Valedictorian from his high school, the result of hard work and a singular focus of being accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy with a full scholarship. Achieving this goal and attending the naval academy in 1989, Keanu’s affection for the American military and what it stood for blossomed tenfold, his interests stretching into politics for the first time in 1992 when he heavily supported the reelection campaign of President John G.W. Burke and became a card-carrying member of the Republican Party. His time in the academy would also spur his sexual awakening, though he would not publicly come out for some time and would marry Rose Cartman in 1994, shortly after his graduation as a naval officer.

Upon graduation, Keanu began his service as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Pacific fleet, spending the next 17 years of his life quickly climbing the ranks through diligent service and astute leadership. Praised by commanding officers as an exemplary seaman, Ionakana became widely respected and viewed as a role model among the enlisted crew of whichever vessel he was aboard, though some fellow officers expressed a distaste at his propensity to “ass-kiss” and “show out” for higher command. In 2004, he would amicably divorce his wife, citing “mutual disagreements”, the couple having had no children and the pair remaining friends following their separation. Ionakana was in truth engaged in an affair with an enlisted sailor ten years his junior, and while the two kept their activity secret, Keanu’s wife would find out and agree that they would both be better served in the long run were they to separate. Regardless, his relationship with his subordinate ended shortly afterwards, as the two came dangerously close to being caught and Ionakana wished to preserve his career. The vast majority of his time in the navy would be spent in connection with the seventh fleet, where he would ultimately become commander of the USS Curtis Wilbur, a destroyer, in his 15th year of service. He would command the ship until his retirement from the armed forces. His childhood dream accomplished, Ionakana looked upwards, eyeing admiralty before his life took a turn in an interesting direction.

In 2010, Stephen Fitch, the congressman from Hawaii’s 1st congressional district, resigned from his seat, indicating that he intended to run for governor of Hawaii. The state GOP, having not yet settled around a serious candidate for the seat, scrambled to look for one, seeing an opportunity for an unexpected pickup in the face of two prominent democrats announcing in the first past the post jungle primary for the seat. A friend in the Hawaii GOP, with which Keanu was significantly acquainted through donations and various interpersonal associations, successfully recruited him to run for the seat after around a month of persuasion, convincing him that he would be able to propel himself into a position of significant influence over the state party were he to win and promising that he would be able to make a splash in DC. Upon agreeing and being honorably discharged from his position, Ionakana found himself to be a natural campaigner, finding that being in the spotlight appealed to him significantly and determining that politics was as easy a battlefield to navigate as the armed forces. He took to his newfound role with great enthusiasm and generated excitement about the state party, campaigning on a platform of fiscal conservatism and anti-tax sentiment while leaning into his military experience, and when the Special rolled around, he would claim victory with 41% of the vote, the other percentage split between the two Democrats in the race.

Upon entering congress, Ionukana’s brief tenure was marked by votes in favor of repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, in support of the South Korean Free Trade Agreement, and in support of the DREAM Act. It was during his time in congress that he would meet Trey Ackerman at a charity fundraiser, a professional football player 13 years his junior who played as a tight end for the San Francisco 49ers. The two would enter a relationship shortly after meeting, though this would not be public knowledge at the time given both of them remained closeted. He would never leave a campaign footing during his time in the house, and would go into the regularly scheduled election with great optimism that he would be reelected. On election night in November, he would be defeated 51.7% to 48.3%. This defeat would be crushing for Ionakana, who believed his departure from the navy had been a grave mistake and who believed his political career had been severely stunted as a result of his loss.

6 months following his defeat, Keanu would give in to the persistent urging of Akerman and leave Hawaii, the two moving into a home together in the latter’s adoptive hometown of Temeluca, California. Keanu would take up a job as a lobbyist working on behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, putting pressure on state and federal governments, regularly flying into DC, North Carolina, and Florida, and visiting with prior colleagues, including then Florida Governor Nate Richardson, while ensuring they remained acquainted with the interests of the various private consortiums he had adopted an affinity for. He acted in this capacity for a few years, his priorities shifting following the decisions in U.S. v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry. In the days following the announcements, Ionakana penned an Op-Ed in the New York Times coming out as gay and announcing his engagement to Akerman, urging the GOP to accept LGBT conservatives into the movement and writing that married gay couples were “no less likely to support limited government than straight ones”. Drawing mixed reactions, Ionakana was soon after approached to join the board of the Log Cabin Republicans, a position he accepted. Roughly a year later, he would be offered the Chairmanship, and he would accept.

As chair of the Log Cabin Republicans, Ionakana did his best to shape the organization into a political force, endorsing candidates in Republican primaries that were in large part conservative but quiet or sympathetic on issues of LGBT progress. Nate Richardson was among the prominent republicans befriended and bankrolled by the organization’s head as he attempted to channel influence, and as his reach expanded so too did a renewed interest in seeking public office himself. In 2015, a meal ticket showed itself shortly after his organization celebrated the victory in Obergefell v. Hodges.

With the looming ascendancy of Arnold Wolf, Keanu’s political instincts told him this was an opportunity in the making, at least for him. With no real record of social conservatism on LGBT issues, Wolf was perhaps the key to reforming the party from the inside on this issue in a permanent way, his more negative qualities aside. Having consolidated significant control over the Log Cabin R’s in the aftermath of his takeover, the former congressman provoked an internal revolt by endorsing Arnold Wolf shortly after Super Tuesday. A short power struggle ensued, with those opposed to Wolf losing out and being effectively expelled as Ionakana cemented his power and effectively transformed the group into a “Gays For Wolf” SuperPac and campaign booster. Drawing significant donations and the attention of Wolf himself, Ionakana befriended the man despite his private distaste for him and would be used as a campaign surrogate for the gay community on many occasions, both in person and on networks and podcasts. His loyalty and devotion to the Wolfist cause would not waver, even with the leak of the Wolf radio show tape, and his consistent support would be rewarded. When Wolf won, Keanu was one of the first to congratulate him, and the victorious President-Elect made clear that he would have a space in form of a comfortable ambassadorship for him.

Shortly into his term, Wolf would appoint Ionakana as Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, a role he would eagerly accept. His time as Ambassador would be relatively uneventful, being well received by New Zealand and spending more time than usual in Samoa, where he was subject to extensive praise.

In 2018, Ionakana would again be approached by a state party, this time the California GOP, to run in a vacant seat. This one was California’s 50th, and despite some objections from local activists, Ionakana resigned his position in Wellington and was swiftly endorsed by Wolf, which quieted opposition and allowed him to claim the top spot in the jungle primary easily. He would face significant opposition in the general but finish strong, securing a large percentage of the vote against a generic democratic challenger.

In 2020, Ionakana would face the same democratic challenger, but would find himself comfortably cruising to reelection both due to his own popularity in the district and the suburban coattails of the incoming President Richardson. Upon his victory, Richardson offered Ionaka numerous foreign policy positions, which he declined in favor of remaining in congress.

While in congress, Ionakana has been a proponent of fiscally conservative economic policy, criticizing Democrats for “unrealistic” ideas such as Medicare for all and other overarching social programs. He has opposed efforts to reduce military spending and has routinely called for a strong national defense. Ionakana has adopted a more hardline immigration policy since assuming office, opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants and speaking out against sanctuary cities. He has supported coverage for preexisting conditions but spoke out against the ACA, saying that the United States should focus on innovation and ingenuity and that government interference in the private sector is a “mistake more often than not”. He has called for a Flat Tax and a reduction in the corporate tax rate. He is conservative on the vast majority of issues including abortion, with exceptions being in cases of environmental protection and LGBT Rights.

Other Info: Outspoken supporter, friend, and ally of President Nate Richardson, to the point that their families are well acquainted and the two have had numerous outings together. Tennis fan and occasional player. Excellent signing voice. Scar down left arm as a result of an accident in 2001. Fluent in Japanese as a result of his time in Japan with the 7th Fleet. Serves on several significant committees, including Armed Services and Civil Rights/Civil Liberties. Married in 2014 with no children, husband took his last name. Obsessed with ships and boats of any and all kinds. Dabbled in fiction by writing a well received psychological horror novel called Dents, the story of a submarine captain on a secret mission in the Mediterranean who is slowly driven insane by the appearance of unexplainable dents in his ship. Muscular and attends the gym frequently. Frequent foil for LGBT Democrats.

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