Elaine Cocklin

== Elaine Cocklin ==
Elaine Cocklin was a prominent political figure in the United States and later the Appalachian Republic, serving as a senator for the Appalachian Republican Party, and later a President for the Republic. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 15, 1959, she has a long and eventful career in politics, marked by both achievements and controversies.
Sometime after the Second Battle of Harrisburg and the formation of the Appalachian Republic, Cocklin became an informant for Seaboard and was seen as a turncoat, being a significant reason that Seaboard was able to annex the region following the Albany Accords, which she oversaw.
== Early Life ==
Elaine Cocklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts, 15 April 1959. She was raised in a wealthy family in New England that owned a fishing and distribution company. As her older brothers took to being more involved with the family company, Elaine Cocklin was inspired to follow a different path. The political atmosphere surrounding women's liberation in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as the Vietnam war, marked major influences for her.
Cocklin pursued higher education and obtained a master's degree in Political Science from Harvard University, renowned for its strong political science program. Cocklin's academic background laid the foundation for her future political career. In 1984, Cocklin's parents, friends with a member of the US House of Representatives, set her up with a position as a secretary for the congresswoman.
== Political Career in the US ==
For years, Cocklin proved her worth as a secretary. She also gained valuable experience as a political organizer, honing her skills in strategic planning and mobilizing support for various causes. In her early forties, she decided to run for the House of Representatives in Maryland but faced defeat in her first attempt, being beaten by a rival Democrat.
However, Cocklin did not let setbacks deter her ambition. Undeterred, she ran for office once again as a Democrat, and emerged victorious. She secured a position known for compromise and negotiation on key issues, striving to bridge gaps between opposing factions. However, her career was not without controversy. Cocklin faced allegations of insider trading and receiving lobbying money, compromising her political positions and raising concerns about ethical conduct. She was subject to political strife between her and more progressive members of the Democratic party as well as independent members of congress.
== Career After the Great Collapse ==
Following the Great Collapse in 2018, Cocklin's life took a dramatic turn. She utilized her financial resources to establish a retreat at a lake house in either northern Pennsylvania or southern New York, temporarily distancing herself from the turmoil caused by the collapse of the federal government. During this period, Cocklin chose not to actively challenge the rule of Seaboard, the governing entity that emerged in the Northeast after the collapse. However, she did not align herself with their policies either, maintaining a political exile of sorts.
Cocklin did emerge agaign in 2019, acting as a Senator and political organizer for the Harrisburg Committee. This was short lived, however, and she fled again following the Battle of Harrisburg and Seabord's subsequent takeover under the command of General Sherman. Despite her attempts to hide, those under Sherman's command were quick to locate the experienced Senator. He valued her, and insisted that she resume her post under Seaboard control. With little say on the matter, she did just that.
In October 2021, when General Nathan Krauss and his army drove out Seaboard forces and defeated Levi Sherman Frazier, Cocklin was tried by a military tribunal as the region was in a state of Martial Law. She was found not guilty, as her actions were found to only benefit the stability of the state and the people. Cocklin was offered the position of the leader of the Appalachian Republican Party. She took it as the Appalachian Republic was formed, and became a prominent member of the party once again.
As the lead senator for the Republican Party in the Appalachian Republic, Cocklin played a pivotal role in shaping the policies and direction of the newly formed government. With her moderate stance and commitment to compromise, she sought to bridge ideological gaps and foster stability and progress within the region, though this was met with opposition from many on both the left and the right within the Republic.
== President of the Appalachian Republic ==
Once Colonel Todd Buck became the leading commander of the Appalachian Armed Forces, the state knew it was imperative to fill the role of Governor that was previously established by Levi Sherman and the late Edwin Parrish before. Elaine Cocklin assumed the presidency of the Appalachian Republic under controversial circumstances, marked by a tightly contested election and suspicions of rigging. Despite winning by a narrow margin, questions arose about the integrity of the electoral process, although no evidence of any foul play was ever found for years.
During the election, Cocklin employed a campaign focused on an isolationist policy, promoting the idea of safeguarding the Republic's autonomy by avoiding direct confrontations with Seaboard and the Great Lake States. This resonated with a significant portion of the population, who sought stability and security in a tumultuous post-Jinanvirus world. However, behind the scenes, Cocklin had formed a covert alliance with Seaboard insiders. In exchange for her assistance in preventing attacks or invasions into Seaboard territory, she was promised support to secure her presidency.
While the exact details of any rigging remained speculative, Cocklin's connections within Seaboard allowed her campaign to exert influence over the electoral process. This influence could have manifested in various ways, such as controlling key aspects of the voting infrastructure, manipulating the distribution of resources, or undermining the campaigns of her opponents, although any evidence was destroyed long before the Albany Accords.
Despite the controversy surrounding her ascension to the presidency, Cocklin's tenure was marked by her commitment to maintaining an isolationist policy. This strategy aimed to protect the Republic's interests and avoid direct confrontation with external powers. However, her true motivations and the extent of her collaboration with Seaboard officials remained hidden from the public eye. Her true loyalty became increasingly clear before and during the Albany Accords, however, no legitimacy could be challenged at that point.