Theresa Newton

**Theresa Newton** is an Araikan politician serving as the 22nd President of the United Provinces of Araika. Newton ascended to the position following the assassination of President Oliver Wheele.

Newton was first elected as an assemblywoman from East Park, Novariso. She was elected in a special election to fill the seat vacated upon the death of Gary Hicks. At age 22, she was the youngest person ever elected to the National Assembly since its creation in 1848. Newton won election to a full term in 2025 and later was selected as the Vice Presidential nominee for the Social Democratic Union in the 2029 election. She served in that position until December 9, 2030 when she became president following the assassination of Oliver Wheele. Newton was later elected in her own right in the 2033 election.

## Early Life

Newton was born in Novariso on January 11, 2001. Nothing is known about her father who disappeared before her birth. Her mother, Amelia Newton, died in 2004 during the pandemic that hit at the time. With no related family, Newton was taken into Prospect Children's Home where she was raised. She attended Central Novariso Government Academy from 2006 to 2019. After a change in management due to financial difficulties, Newton was forced to leave Prospect Children's Home in 2017 after she turned 16. She stayed with a couple that she worked with at the East Park Community Center until she graduated in 2019. Newton received a full scholarship to attend Novariso University where she earned a degree in Human Services and Social Justice in 2023.

From when she was 14, Newton was heavily involved in the community of East Park volunteering at the East Park Community Center where she engaged with the most vulnerable populations of the city. In 2020, when plans were leaked of a proposed highway that would cut through part of her community, she joined protests and attended public hearings to oppose the plan. Here speech at one such hearing with the CUP governor Isaac Burley went viral for her direct language and the scene of her removal. The plans were eventually cancelled to the joy of residents.

After graduating university, Newton went to work with the same community center she had been with for 8 years in the public outreach department. In this position, she became well known to many people in southern East Park for her unique engagement strategies.

## National Assembly Tenure (2023-2029)

### East Park Special Election

On September 2, East Park assembly member Clarence Boone passed away, creating a vacancy for the position. By Araikan law, a special election must be held on the first Monday, 60 days after the vacancy is created. Newton was approached by Lucas Snowe, a young strategist with the Social Democratic Union to run for the seat. Although initially hesitant, Newton accepted his proposal. She was endorsed by the SDU county executive after no one else expressed interest. East Park had been held by the Unite Liberal Alliance since it was first created and so the general opinion was that she would be heavily disadvantaged. In 2021 election, the SDU candidate received only 9.7% of the vote. Moreover, the seat was being contested by Norman Hall, son of former President and East Park assembly member Grant Hall. Political pundits and forecasters soon determined that the race would be a solid ULA hold.

Despite being critically understaffed and underfunded for the entirety of the race, Newton's energetic and unorthodox campaign style endeared her to the community she had already served for 8 years. On November 6, the day of the election, Newton had bested Hall by 4 votes when the counting of ballots concluded. Hall requested a recount, which only served to expand her lead to 11 votes. The results shocked the entire country, with Newton set to become the youngest person ever elected to the National Assembly.

### Remainder Term (2023-2025)

Being the youngest person in the National Assembly, Newton entered as the new "baby of the assembly" on November 20. She joined during intense discussions on the Restructured Military Investment Act. Expected to be voted on in the new year, it contained several provisions for upgrading Araika's military. However, issues arose over the amount of "pork" dedicated to consistently conservative areas of the country, notably the funding awarded to build a new military base in the Camrid Province. The bill was fully opposed by the ULA, SDU, and WSM but fully supported by the CUP and NPF. Newton voted against the bill despite it passing on a close vote. Newton voted against president Cole's nomination of Megan White to the Supreme Court due to her conservative views on LGBTQ rights. Less than 5 months before the 2025 election, Newton also opposed the Law Enforcement Empowerment Act which sought to give military equipment to local police. Despite only needing 7 other members to pass, the bill failed in the National Assembly with an almost fully unified opposition.

### 2025 Election

Newton ran for a full term in the National Assembly in the 2025 General Election. She faced her previous opponent, Norman Hall, in a rematch with higher turnout. Newton emerged victorious in the election with an even higher share of the vote than her special election win. This was despite a disappointing night for the SDU which saw them lose seats in the National Assembly for the first time since 2005. Newton's victory shined a light on her unique outreach initiatives and her personal popularity in comparison to the party in general.

### First Full Term (2025-2029)

Newton along with ULA assembly member Aria Lowne spearheaded the drafting of the Equality Among Araikans Act which sought to legalize same-sex marriage and implement discrimination protections for vulnerable groups and minorities in the country. The ULA and SDU announced their full collaboration in passing the bill which with their numbers in the assembly, assured its passing despite criticism from conservatives. The act was passed and signed into law by President Kelly. Newton also voted for both of Kelly's nominees to the Supreme Court, Spencer Wallace and Elizabeth Baker, the former of which was for the position of Chief Justice. However, she voted against both the 2027 Recovery Act and the 2028 Recovery Act for taking a pro-business approach to attempting to solve the economic crisis. During the recession, Newton did much on the ground to provide for her district such as organizing food drives, providing information sessions, and speaking out about the plight of the people she represented.

## Vice Presidency (2029-2030)

### 2029 Election

Despite being considered a potential candidate for the SDU in the 2029 election, she ruled out running for president due to her relative youth. However, the eventual SDU candidate, Governor Oliver Wheele of Horterden, approached her and asked her to be his vice presidential candidate. Although she refused at first, she eventually accepted the offer. Many criticized the decision due to Newton's age - she would be 28 if elected, the youngest vice president in Araikan history. Yet Newton brought with her a level of youth engagement that no presidential campaign had experienced before. The SDU polled within the margin of error of second place for the majority of the election campaign, but scandals in the CUP and the unpopularity of the ULA saw them skyrocket to a substantial polling lead in the final month before the election. The SDU emerged victorious in the presidential election with Newton becoming the vice president-elect. Newton ran concurrently for her assembly seat where she won a landslide victory with 72% of the vote.

### Vice Presidency (2029-2030)

In her role as vice president, Newton became the chief advocate for the administration's initiatives. She helped in getting the 2029 Recovery Act passed through her outreach to opposition member voters. Still her inexperience limited the effectiveness of her activities as shown by her attempt to rally support for the ultimately failed nomination of Anthony Greene to the Supreme Court. Newton performed well in foreign affairs, acting as a mediator on behalf of Araika in the Kelkesian coup attempt. In 2030, with the Araikan economy on track to recovery, Newton helped plan Wheele's tour of the nation, a tradition for each president dating back to Leon Nichols' original tour of the Araikan Confederation in 1890. The final stop was to be Novariso with a rally in the city's Kasey Bowen Stadium, a tribute to Newton's efforts so far in the administration.

### Assassination of Oliver Wheele

At the last stop in Novariso to end off the national tour, Wheele was assassinated when a bomb went off below the area he was speaking from. Several other were killed and many more severely injured including Newton who was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

## Presidency (2030-Present)

### Remainder of Wheele's Term (2030-2033)

Following Wheele's death, the presidency was automatically trasfered to Newton in accordance to the Constitution. However, as Newton spent time in intensive care recovering from her injuries, she did not fully assume the responsibilities of president until January 2031. During that period, Speaker of the National Assembly Sonia Wells was acting president.

When Newton was cleared by doctors to return to work, she was officially sworn into office. Newton's swearing in was short, but was the most viewed swearing in of an Araikan president ever, with millions worldwide tuning in. Newton's administration worked closely with the Federal Intelligence and Security Agency to investigate who was behind the assassination. Immediately though, Newton had to deal with a nation undergoing civil unrest. Several riots broke out in the immediate aftermath of the assassination leading to a state of emergency to be declared. Thousands were arrested for participating in these activities. Newton gave an order for blanket amnesty to whoever participated and ended the state of emergency which had lasted over a month.

For the most part, Newton continued the plans and agenda Wheele had outlined for his term, but the investigation took priority over all government activities. The investigation lasted for 8 months when finally, it was revealed that the League of Distinguished Families were behind the assassination. Due to their immunity granted by the 4th amendment, they could not be charged with the crime. More protests and riots broke out as the government faced a constitutional crisis. At the State of the Union on June 16, Newton gave a speech that ended with her calling for the abolishment of the 4th and 5th amendments to the constitution. The immediate impact was jubilation from the public, but amending the constitution to abolish the two amendments would be daunting. While the 4th amendment gave the distinguished families immunity, the 5th amendment gave them a say in any process of amending the 3rd, 4th, and 5th amendments. They would get to appoint a total of 50 delegates to the National Assembly to vote on the amendment. With the expectation that they would all vote against it, the amendment would need 200 out of 250 elected assembly members to pass.

The CUP announced their opposition to the amendment process noting the history that led to the 4th and 5th being proposed in the first placed. They instead called for mediation and dialogue to get the the Distinguished Families to revoke the privileges of the main perpetrators behind the assassination. Although many in Araika feared what could happen, the majority of the public supported the proposed 18th amendment. The ULA, WSM, and several independents announced that they would fully support the amendment process. After meeting with the NPF, its leader in the Assembly, Weston Mackey gave his party's secret endorsement but several members were uncommitted. On February 17, 2032 the vote in the Assembly was held to pass the 18th amendment. It passes 201-99, the exact margin necessary. From there it went to the provinces for ratification where 11 provinces would need to vote in favour. On April 9 the amendment passed in the 11th province, officially enacting the 18th amendment into law. Immediately, law enforcement in collaboration with FISA began going after Distinguished Family members involved in the assassination.

### 2033 Election

Newton ran for a full term in the 2033 election with Boshamia Governor Albert Saunders as her running mate. The Newton-Saunders ticket became the first ticket since 1973 to win a majority of the vote.

### First Term (2033-2037)

One of Newton's first acts at the beginning of her first term was spearheading the Rail and Road Improvement Act. The act provided funding to develop a new high speed rail corridor from Waldon through Penbeck and Sidmouthin to Heltabourgh, among other improvements to the rail network of Araika. It also provided for increased funding for road maintenance and critical infrastructure repair in the provinces. Newton also played the role of a mediator once more in Kelkesia leading to the Mongonta Accords being signed. Critically, Newton dealt with the aftermath of the Distinguished Family Trials which although failed to lead to the arrest of several perpetrators of the Wheele Assassination, saw the government acquire much of their assets. Newton's administration chose to divest the government of the vast majority of the assets which was met with mixed responses within the SDU.

## Political Positions

#### Economy

Newton describes herself as a social democrat, and has criticized the capitalist system that has dominated Araikan economics for decades. She opposes attempts to achieve a balanced budget where necessary. She is in favour of nationalization of major utilities such as water, energy, and telecommunications.

#### Education

Newton believes that the government should increase the amount of public schools available whether through building more or nationalizing certain private schools. Newton is also in favour of curriculum reform that ensures that all those in society are fairly represented and treated equally.

#### Foreign Affairs

Breaking with many in her party who support strict neutrality, Newton believes that Araika should maintain alliances with its continental neighbours, Pasia and Rocrofa in order to push back against Spererian threats. She is highly skeptical of getting closer with Astellia as much as she is to getting close with Vesoralia. Newton has called for Araika to lead an initiative to re-create the Naturian Assembly as a means to foster peace on the continent.

#### Military

Having served for a short time in the military, Newton believes that the military "has its place in Araika, but needs to be critically reformed." She mentioned that in her experience, conflicting ideas on courses of action have led to massive infighting within the military leadership. As such she believes that the government should settle these differences before engaging in any talks of budgetary matters.

#### Social Affairs

Newton supports full equality for LGBTQ Araikans and has co-sponsored a law with ULA member for Kinewen Central, Aria Lowne, that would give them the same benefits as heterosexuals.

## Personal Life

Newton has no close family members and is neither in a relationship with anyone at the moment. She has mentioned that the two people that helped her immensely in her campaign, Lucas Snowe and Margo Glass, are essentially the only family she has.

Newton is one of the poorest members of the Assembly. When staying in Alurod, she shares an apartment with Kinewen Central assemblywoman, Aria Lowne, who is also not as fortunate. Their plight has strengthened the call for higher salaries for assembly members, which currently sits at $50,000.

Newton has mentioned that her reason for joining the military during the Central Naturia War was due to "wanting to die." She revealed herself as severely depressed and thought that dying for the country would be the best way to end her life. She mentioned that Raye's intervention in her life saved her from nearly committing suicide a few days in.

Newton is an atheist, mentioning that she could never bring herself to believe in the concept of a god after everything she has been through. Her East Park opponent used this in attacks against her but were ineffective since 80% of the residents of East Park were also irreligious.