Free The Last Election by Kevin Carrigan

International Consultant advising new members of the international justice system, as Fortier continued to rise in the ranks of a Political Action Committee devoted to human rights. Fortier was on the fast track and was considering a run for city council, when in an instant his life was snuffed out on the 95th floor of the World Trade Center.
    Martineau was devastated by the death of her husband. New York City now held nothing but painful memories for her, so she left the U.N. and moved back to Louisiana where her family welcomed her home. To honor her husband’s legacy, she dove straight into a career in politics. Remarkably, she was elected to be the republican congresswoman from Louisiana’s third district less than a year later. Soon after that, she became famous for her courageous actions that saved many lives during the Hurricane Katrina disaster, and her determination in quickly securing government assistance for the rebuilding of homes that had been destroyed.
    Martineau had worked with Clark often during their time in the House together. She considered Clark her mentor. Clark admired her spirit and determination and her ability to get the job done. From afar he watched with pride as she spent the last two years whipping the Republican House members into shape so they could stop Bonsam’s legislation dead in its tracks.
     
    Martineau took a deep breath as she stepped up to the lectern. She was surprised at how calm she felt as the hundreds of Floridians who had come to this rally waited to hear her speech. She gave Clark one last look, then turned to the crowd with a delightful smile on her face. She leaned forward slightly as she prepared to speak into the microphone. “The Bonsam presidency,” she said, “is coming to an end. The time for bold new leadership is at hand. So move over Bonsam-Holden, ‘cause Clark-Martineau are coming to Washington to restore faith in the government!”     
    The crowd loved her straightforward message as she continually lambasted the Bonsam administration. Her speech ended to even more thunderous applause. Clark stepped up to join Martineau and they again clasped hands and raised them in the air to the delight of the crowd. “Great speech, Kenna!” Clark yelled as they walked offstage. She gave Clark a wink and high-five. The crowd in the stadium was still cheering wildly. “You’re a natural!” he said.
    “Whew, that was fun,” she said. “But I had no idea that campaigning at this level would be so exhausting.”
    “Well, that’s one of the reasons I chose you as my running mate. Campaigning is tough. Many people can’t hang, but I knew you could, Kenna. You have been doing a great job.”
    “Sam, you know how hesitant I was to accept your offer, but once I did I have never looked back. I have zero regrets. We have the opportunity to turn the country around,” she said with a smile.
    “I know Kenna, I know! And that is how I knew with complete certainty that you were the ideal choice for VP,” said Clark. “Your work in the House as Speaker over the last two years has been phenomenal. I’m sure you have given the president a migraine or two!” Clark laughed and patted Martineau on the back as they walked off the stadium grounds toward the campaign bus.

Chapter 18
     
    In the Oval Office, President Bonsam flipped off his television. “I cannot stand to watch one more minute of that bitch Kenna Martineau singing the praises of Governor Clark,” he said to himself. He sat there alone, remembering how miserable she had made things for him after she became the Speaker of the House. She made sure that the Republican House members toed the party line when it came to voting on legislation, which killed over a dozen tax-and-spend programs Bonsam had been trying to ramrod through congress. She had vehemently spoken out against his stand on the second amendment, which caused a gun-restriction bill that he had so proudly brought before congress to get tabled in