Henderson Loke

Henderson Loke was a Terran politician and statesman. He was the tenth President of the Republic

Early Life

Born in Athens on Earth in 2510 to a middle-class family, Henderson Loke was a bright and curious child who did well at school and enjoyed studying history, languages and art. He attended a prep school in Athens before attending Welling College in New Dehli, where he graduated with a BA in Languages. He then studied an MA at Athens college, studying English history and texts.
Henderson became politically active in college, campaigning on behalf of left-wing politicians, usually the Gurava party. Henderson was known for his commitment to peace and environmental causes.
Henderson Loke met Winnona Hanson whilst he was a teacher and the two married within a year of dating. They had one daughter, Wylla, who was born in 2545.

Career

Henderson Loke had considered careers as an academic or a journalist before he decided to become a high-school teacher. He applied for jobs in many cities and his first role was as a teacher of languages at Brinton High-School in Dhaka City. He spent two years there but was shocked and horrified by the poverty of the area and the schools lack of resources. He clashed with the schools administrators and left to look for a new school.
He was hired by Survindar Suresh Academy in Chicago, a small private school that had a good program of scholarships. He taught languages and English literature there for six years, becoming the head of year. He was happier to have access to more resources but felt that he could make a bigger impact at a public school.
Henderson moved to Raymond Trallis High-School, a very large urban high school in Athens. He taught languages and sociology, as well as becoming a head of year. Henderson developed a reputation as a superb teacher, known for his willingness to put in long hours to help troubled students.
He ran an after-school social club where the students would compose writing of their own and give each other critiques. He also taught driving classes in the Summer. He was named Athens teacher of the year in 2548.

Politics

Henderson had always been politically active and had kept up with various political causes. He was a keen supporter of left-wing parties and admitted that his political loyalty had often wavered from the SDP to Gurava. However, by the 2540's he had become a Gurava party member as he felt the SDP were "too close to the corporations".
Henderson volunteered his time with the local Gurava party in Chicago and then also in Athens, which was seen as a Gurava strong-hold on Earth. He was courted to run for the city-council on several occasions but always felt this wasn't going to be an effective use of his time.
In 2554 he began to put together a campaign for the Gurava primary for Mayor of Athens. Athens, a known liberal stronghold, was normally a straight head to head contest between Gurava and the SDP and therefore winning the Gurava nomination would be his biggest challenge.
Henderson's campaign was largely based around his experience as a teacher, his interest in improving education standards in Athens and reducing poverty, as well as improving local infrastructure. He won the Gurava nomination with 56% of the vote and then went into the general election where he defeated the SDP nominee, Edith Stammetts to be elected Mayor of Athens in 2555.
Henderson Loke's politics have been described as "ultra-liberal", "unorthodox liberal", "Marxist" or "left-egalitarian". Henderson has referred to himself as a "socialist, not a communist" when asked.

Mayor of Athens

Henderson Loke was sworn in as Mayor of Athens in February of 2555 and began his first (and as it turned out, only) five year term. Gurava had a coalition agreement with the SDP in the city-council and Henderson was able to work with a broad left-wing coalition.
He named longtime friend Sharon Kleves as his Chief of Staff. Kleves, a family lawyer by trade, ran a surprisingly tight ship and proved to be a diligent ally to the Mayor.
Energetic and a good public speaker, Henderson energized the left in Athens and quickly gained huge popularity. He passed an increase in local corporations taxes and a somewhat punitive environmental law that put huge levies in place for corporations that polluted or produced non-recyclable waste.
Mayor Loke was also able to pass a massive new spending program on Athen's schools, which also got support from the Federal government, thanks to Mayor Loke's growing influence within the Gurava GA delegation. He worked very closely with Rep Alice Benning to secure an additional forty-five million adjusted dollars in school funding.
It wasn't all positive, however, as Mayor Loke was criticized for his refusal to reach across the aisle, winning very few bi-partisan votes during his term as Mayor. He was also criticized for his increasingly expensive wardrobe and press events, which he funded through his campaign war-chest, which appeared to grow all the time.
Loke had also failed in an attempt to take "state ownership" of several local corporations, as these votes were either defeated by centrist members of the SDP or struck down by the famously conservative courts on Earth.
He was also criticized in 2559 for spending more and more time away from Athens as he began to prepare for a long-shot Presidential campaign. In November of 2559 he confirmed he would not seek a 2nd term as Mayor, despite 65% job approval ratings as he planned to run for President!

Gurava 2560 Primaries

Mayor Loke went into the 2560 primaries seen very much as a longshot candidate, challenging the parties presumptive nominee Senator Reiner Grumman, who enjoyed massive public & institutional support, as well as having a huge fund-raising advantage over Loke.
Mayor Loke challenged Senator Grumman's coronation as Gurava's Presidential nominee, saying that "the billionaire scion of an aristocratic movement isn't a good standard-bearer for a left-wing popular movement!"
Mayor Loke did well in the debates, though he didn't make as sharp a challenges to Senator Grumman as expected, with many in the press suggesting that Loke's real aim was to "be in the Grumman cabinet".
Before the primaries began in earnest, Mayor Loke agreed to drop out and to endorse Senator Grumman, calling him "a genuine change candidate".
When Senator Grumman clinched the Gurava nomination, he confirmed that he had asked Mayor Henderson Loke to be his running mate, calling it "an incredible Terran success story that a person can go from high-school teacher to Vice President in less than six years".

2560 Presidential Campaign

Henderson Loke, now confirmed as Gurava's VP nominee, took to the campaign trail and was a constant presence on the trail. He eschewed the attack dog role wherever possible and tended to have a lower media profile than his incredibly popular and media friendly running mate.
Henderson continued to improve his media profile though and he hired advertising exec Deborah Zane as his Communications Director during the campaign. There was a noted improvement to his press events and he began to develop a strong press style.
Henderson took part in events on Earth, Mars and the Jovian belt. He continued to be a highly energetic campaigner, engaged in large scale speeches, town hall meetings on Earth and a debate on Mars alongside members of the SDP, MDU and MWP which were very well received.
Mayor Loke generally concentrated on speaking about domestic policies and also laid into the Hansa, calling them "the barrier to progress within the Republic." This drew huge cheers at the town hall events but was greeted with a less enthusiastic response on Titan in the Jovian Belt. Mayor Loke then spoke in small groups to the crowd to explain why he felt the Hansa were a danger and a major "anchor to Terran development."
Mayor Loke did run into problems when asked a series of tricky foreign policy questions by a journalist, giving a long winded but rambling answer. He began to work with top foreign policy minds with Gurava to try and improve his game and most polls showed that he did not overly damage the Gurava ticket's performance.
In the end, Gurava finished top of the polls in 2560 but they were denied the Presidency and instead the SDP's Herrick Knottman was named President of the Republic. Henderson Loke was offered a role as Secretary of Education but rejected it, stating that "he wanted a break from politics".

After the Campaign

After the dust settled from the campaign, Henderson undertook a major effort to thank volunteers, fund-raisers and other campaign staff for their work. He did several speaking tours and wrote a book about the "dire influence of the Hansa" in the Republic, which was a best-seller.
He took up a place as a guest lecturer at his Alma-Matter in Athens and continued to raise money, both for Gurava and for his own campaign warchest. He tended to duck questions about what his next political plan was, stating that "2570 is a long way off".
He was critical of the Cutbill committee's investigation into President Knottman but then was equally critical when it was revealed that President Knottman had asked the Attorney General to "hush up" the issues around Glass-House. He stopped short of saying President Knottman should resign.
Henderson also took up lessons on foreign policy and security, studying and receiving an MA in "Military Studies" from Athens College.
He founded two charities, "Green Future", which offered scholarships and school supplies to poorer children and "Green Frontier" which offered scholarships, travel funds and school supplies to frontier children who didn't have access to affordable education.
In 2568 he set up a series of political offices and began to draw together a top campaign staff, initially led by Jose Bordman. Speculation mounted that he would seek the Gurava nomination for President and he did nothing to downplay this, confirming in 2569 that he would be seeking the party's nomination in the 2570 primary.
Members of the party leadership, as well as much of the party's base appeared to be behind him and he was the front-runner in every single poll that was produced.
However, when the Federal elections were cancelled due to the 2nd Zzenddi War, he was instead touted as a Gurava nominee for Vice President. Much to his surprise, he was offered the role of Vice President of the Republic in the newly formed Unity Cabinet.

Vice President of the Republic -the Unity Cabinet

He was sworn in as Vice President and named his former Communications Director Deborah Zane as his Chief of Staff. Henderson worked very hard to gain suitable knowledge as Vice President and spent huge amounts of time learning about foreign policy, military matters and security.
He added retired navy officer Captain Joreph Ellison to his senior staff as a security consultant and senior counsel. He also met regularly with President Groff to discuss security matters and overall direction of the administration.
Henderson admitted that he had a poor opinion of Groff before the two had started working together but very quickly began to admire the man as "I had always admired his track record and CV". The two developed a close working relationship.
However, he clashed with other members of the cabinet, most notably with Foreign Secretary Pierce Moreland after Loke had worked with Reiner Grumman, now an ambassador to the Tranoans, to try and smooth things out after the "Ashenmark Affair".
He was also a constant voice on the need to "protect people in the Republic" and the ensure that there was adequate provision of food, water and medicine. He worked closely with Secretary Hayley Rush, the Secretary for Civil Defence.
In June of 2575, he was informed that President Groff had passed away after a heart attack aged 80. He was immediately sworn in as the new President of the Republic by Justice Gita Nares.

Presidency

Having been sworn in as President, he called for a day of mourning within the Republic and ordered all flags to be flown at half mast. He also ordered that the inauguration ceremony cancelled.
He asked Keon Briar, who had been Chief of Staff to President Groff, to take over as his Chief of Staff but Briar demurred, stating that President Loke should have his own person as Chief of Staff. So President Loke appointed Deborah Zane as his Chief of Staff. He asked Briar to remain in the senior staff as Senior Counsel, which Briar agreed to do.
President Loke reached out to his former running mate, Reiner Grumman, serving as an ambassador to the Tranoan Empire and he appointed him as a senior counsel.
President Loke addressed the nation later that day, referring to President Groff's loss as "A tragic day for the Republic. A true Republican hero has passed away. And yet, he would not wish me to call him that, as he was a humble warrior, a man who literally gave his all for the Republic and its people. Our monument to him is to continue his work, which I shall now attempt to do".
He met with the cabinet and asked them all to stay on, at least in an interim basis.

1st Loke Cabinet

• Vice President - TBC
• Secretary of War- Dr Eleutheria Ashpool (Valiant Party )
• Secretary of the Treasury- Lucinda Maizeland (Isolationist Party )
• Foreign Secretary - Pierce Mooreland (Republican Centrist Party)
• Attorney General - Ceavan Ballard (Librarius )
• Secretary of Civil Defence - Hayley Rush (Social Democratic Party )
• Secretary of Information - Rosby Crockett (Ravenheart )
• Secretary of Intelligence - Baize Watkins (Vishnu Elpis )

Senior Staff

• Chief of Staff to the President -Deborah Zane - (Gurava)
• Deputy Chief of Staff to the President -Raleigh Hogh - (Isolationist)
• Senior Counsel -Ecton Dempsey -(SDP)
• Senior Counsel - Keon Briar (Independent)
• Senior Counsel - Morse Cutbill (Isolationist)
• Senior Counsel - Reiner Grumman (Gurava)
• Communications Director -Janos Rudd -(Independent)
• Press Secretary -Lisa Bruin -(Gurava)
• Legal Counsel to the President - Lilian English -(Independent)

First Reshuffle

In August of 2575, the Loke administration confirmed its cabinet reshuffle.

• Vice President - Lucinda Maizeland (Isolationist)
• Secretary of War- Dr Eleutheria Ashpool (Valiant Party )
• Secretary of the Treasury- Pierce Moreland (Republican Centrist Party )
• Foreign Secretary - Crawford Navarro (Vishnu Elpis )
• Attorney General - Ceavan Ballard (Librarius )
• Secretary of Civil Defence - Hayley Rush (Social Democratic Party )
• Secretary of Information - Rosby Crockett (Ravenheart )
• Secretary of Intelligence - Beckett Solarin (Independent)

Shortly after the cabinet was formed, there was a political fracas as Ravenheart GA Rep Jordi Klain made a speech calling for guaranteed elections in 2580. This was felt to be a breach of the Dhaka Agreement and after a clash in the cabinet, there was a call to expel Ravenheart.
In the end, President Loke stopped short of expelling Ravenheart but fired Secretary Crockett from his post.

The Tranoan-Ashenmark Debate

An early complex challenge for the Loke administration was dealing with what to do with the Ashenmark technology that was being handed over as per the "Ashenmark Agreement". Much of this technology was, apparently, derived from stolen Tranoan technology and the Tranoans were insisting that it be handed over.
Secretary of War Eleutheria Ashpool (VAL) suggested that the technology was needed for the war effort. This position was echoed by many of her fellow conservatives in the coalition including new Treasury Secretary Pierce Moreland (RCP) and Senator Hayse Dutton (ISO).
Senior Counsel to the President Morse Cutbill (ISO) gave a fierce speech, calling this a "landmark moment" for the direction of the Republic. This was opposed to another Senior Counsel, Reiner Grumman (GUR) who called on the Republic to act honorably in relation to its allies.
The issue appeared to be resolved when Foreign Secretary Crawford Navarro (VE) had gotten agreement from the Tranoans to accept the return of the technology after the war. The Ashenmark was formally dissolved August 1 2575.
The Zzenddi War President Loke inherited the ongoing 2nd Zzenddi war, which he saw as his primary goal to see the Republic through it. Loke became well known for his calm, measured and capable style of leadership, generally deferring to cabinet officers such as Secretary of War Eleutheria Ashpool and Foreign Secretary Crawford Navarro.
He did, however, clash with some members of the coaltion and he had little time for Ravenheart, whom he felt did not really belong in the coalition government. He dismissed Rosby Crockett (RHC) from his post after Rep Jordi Klain (RHC) went public with calls for a guaranteed election in 2580.
President Loke was also displeased with the apparent conflict of interests of Treasury Secretary Pierce Morland (RCP), whose father oversaw a merger between his corporation, HPI and Capek R&D. He was simialrly irritated at the coaltion for refusing to back action to stop further mergers.
The Republic and Allied Navy's won the Battle of Vanheim and then then Sol was invaded. President Loke won huge approval from the public when he refused to be evacuated from the planet, apparently over the objection of members of his cabinet.
President Loke remained on the planet, signing over executive powers to Vice President Lucinda Maizeland in a secret letter when communications were lost with the Earth.
President Loke survived the invasion of Earth and when the Zzenddi were forced back and then defeated in the Battle of Stark, the war was in its final stages.
President Loke had decided by January of 2577 that he would not seek a full term as President but he did not go public until after Valiant and Ravenheart quit the cabinet and the coaltion, calling for elections in 2580.
President Loke addressed the Republic in prime time, confirming that there would be elections in 2580:

"Ladies and gentlemen, fellow citizens, In the wake of our recent triumph over the Zzendi, I am reminded of the profound strength of democracy, which has sustained our nation through the ages. As a former teacher, I've always believed that democracy is the greatest teacher of all, imparting not just knowledge but the power to shape our nation's destiny. And so, as we stand on the cusp of a new chapter, we must remember that the power to shape our constitutional reform should rest in the hands of the next elected government.
In the midst of our celebration, we also carry the weight of those we have lost, including the esteemed President Groff, who served our nation with distinction until his untimely passing. Taking over from him was an honour I could not have foreseen, and it is with a heavy heart that I have guided our Republic through these trying times.
This war tested us, it pushed us to the brink, and it reminded us that our strength as a nation lies not only in our individual ambitions but in our collective spirit. The Unity Wartime government, forged in the crucible of conflict, exemplified how we can transcend the boundaries of partisan politics and unite for the greater good of our beloved Republic. They have shown that even in the darkest of hours, they did not abandon their posts, but stood steadfast for the sake of our nation. We owe them our gratitude and respect.
As we move forward into the next decade, we must acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead.Rebuilding a nation shattered by the ravages of war is no small task.
It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, but I will not seek re-election. I believe in the vitality of our democracy and the importance of leadership renewal.
Therefore, I am pleased to announce my full support for Former Attorney General Katherine Ferrero, a dedicated public servant with the strength of character and unwavering commitment to the values our Republic needs in the future. As I step aside, I do so with confidence that she will lead us forward with wisdom, integrity, and a deep respect for the principles upon which our Republic was founded.
In this new chapter of our history, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to democracy and unity. Let us honor the memory of those we have lost by entrusting the future to the capable hands of our elected leaders. Together, with hope in our hearts and the strength of our collective will, we shall forge a brighter tomorrow for our Republic. Thank you, and may the spirit of democracy guide us on this noble journey."

President Loke ruled out seeking the Gurava nomination or the Presidency in any way and committed to seeing out his term in 2580.

Post Presidency

After the end of his term, President Loke backed the Gurava nominee in the 2580 election and made a few appearances during the election, supporting Gurava on Earth.
President Loke retired to a villa in Athens where he wrote his memoirs, which proved to be very successful.  He gave after dinner speeches and raised money for charities.
President Loke spoke out against the Sondeheim coup and backed President Alana Largo  and her "democratically elected administration."
In 2590, he endorsed Rep Piper Najimy (GUR) for President and raised money for her, as well as campaigning on Earth on her behalf.  He spoke of the "despair he feels when seeing Ravenheart leading in the polls.  I hope the Terran people will forgo hate and embrace hope instead".
In 2594, President Loke gave a luke-warm endorsement to the new Federal constitution.  He said that "I would prefer the Terrans to remain united but I fear the Federalists have gone too far and unless they are willing to relax their wish for a super-powered Federal state, they will see many frontier-worlds depart."

Mayor of Athens, Henderson Loke, Aged 50

Species

Human

Year of Birth

2510 80 Years old

Birthplace

Athens

Aligned Organization

The Terran Republic

Other Affiliations

• Gurava

Related Historical Events

• 2585
  Reiner Grumman's 70th Birthday