PROFILE: Duke Aaron Sandoval, Lord Governor,
Prefecture IV
As has been Sandoval tradition since prior to the founding of the Republic, in 3099 Senator Mark Sandoval and the Lady Pamela Sandoval traveled back to the Federated Suns� world of Robinson to give birth to their son, Aaron. This bestowed on Aaron Sandoval dual citizenship between the Republic of the Sphere and Federated Suns, a necessary condition for noble title in both realms, as all Sandoval families hold a Lordship and small estates within the Federated Suns� Draconis March.
Pamela Sandoval died due to complications during childbirth. Aaron�s return to the Republic was held up by almost a year before his father brought him back to their homeworld estates on Addicks. Lord Mark Sandoval had already withdrawn from his Senate seat, content with Addicks� local politics, and in 3103 accepted a position as a local magistrate and then Assistant Governor in 3107.
It was also during this year that Mark Sandoval brought his mother to live with his family. Countess Edwina Sandoval remembered the formation of the Republic, and had long been a champion of stronger world rights inside the Republic before her own husband�s death in 3101. Now she became a strong fixture in Aaron�s life. Lord Mark often credited her arrival and help with Aaron for his return to higher-level politics.
Aaron Sandoval attended the best private academies the Republic had to offer, favoring the lessons in political science, which were initially suggested by his grandmother. In 3115 he chose one year of foreign education within the Federated Suns, attending Brighton Preparatory on Marlette with his cousin, Harrison Davion, a scion of the Federated Suns� ruling House. Such high connections (and the resultant high expectations) pushed Aaron Sandoval to excel, leading his classes through school and during his attendance at Terra�s Sandhurst MechWarrior Academy (3117-3120). He attended an additional two years at League University, majoring in political science and law before serving his two years of mandatory military service.
Although Aaron Sandoval tested highly through his academy days and was acknowledged as a fine MechWarrior, his duties more often involved the military bureaucracy. Aaron Sandoval served two six-month terms as an aide to Legate Orwin Fahns and his successor, Legate Therese Olson. He was then pulled into a task force sent out to hunt border-crossing smugglers, a duty which ended prematurely and landed him in the staff of then-Prefect (IV) Amanda Cross for the balance of his service. He was recommended for promotion and offered additional incentives to remain in military service, which he refused citing personal reasons.
Aaron�s father, now the Count Addicks, had been eyeing another term in the Republic Senate when a stroke took him in 3123. His death cemented Aaron�s decision to enter Republic politics after his honorable discharge in 3124.
In his eight years of public service since that time, Aaron Sandoval has proven himself an able administrator with an eye toward the future. After one year as an aide to Prefecture IV�s Lord Governor William Sung and two years in the Addicks world senate, Count Aaron Sandoval was elected Governor of Addicks in 3127. He spread around what influence his family name carried to establish a firm political base, becoming known as a champion for projects that would benefit the Republic�s non-citizen resident workers. Political pressure brought to bear by the Immigrant Coalition Committee favoring Aaron Sandoval for such work, led to his election by acclamation when the local Governors elected him as Lord Governor of Prefecture IV in 3128 and invested him on Tikonov.
Four years into his term, Lord Governor Aaron Sandoval has accrued a great deal of interest among the Republic�s power brokers as well as his share of animosity. He has floated the idea of running for a Senate seat more than once; supporters have suggested that a Republic Knighthood could lead to a candidacy for Exarch. CEO and financial powerhouse Jacob Bannson remains one of Aaron Sandoval�s more outspoken critics, a rivalry that likely stems from Aaron Sandoval�s backing of the Senate anti-trust plan to limit Bannson�s ability to expand his business empire.
Lord Governor Sandoval appears no less likely to fight for his beliefs and benefit than he did as Governor of Addicks. If anything, in recent years he has shown a stronger predisposition to swing his considerable power behind political measures that many others consider politically risky. This willingness to take risks has gained him the admiration of old guard nobles who fondly remember their own glory days, as well as the nouveau rich with their pet political projects. With such a foundation supporting him, Aaron Sandoval is a politician to watch. |
