Joseph Sumners

Joseph Sumners was born in a small town in rural Deandra in the Confederation of Sovereign States. The son of a middle class merchant, Sumners graduated from the University of Ayoport with a degree in history. He returned to his hometown, where he worked briefly as a school teacher before becoming the editor of the local newspaper.

After his father's death, Sumners inherited the family business. He used his profits from the business to enter politics. He was elected mayor in 1966 after his first foray into the political arena. He moved on the state legislature in 1968 as a member of the New Liberal Party.

In 1972, Sumners was chosen as one of the state's delegates to the Confederation House of States. He was reelected to the States' House in 1978 and served until 1984. He was elected governor of Deandra in 1984 and was reelected in 1988 and 1992. Sumners was, and still is, the only governor in the history of the Confederation to serve three consecutive terms.

By 1996, Sumners was easily the most recognizable and powerful politician in Deandra. He easily won election to the House of Representatives and, despite his freshman status he gained a seat on the prestigious Ways and Means committee. He was reelected in 1998 and 2000 without opposition. In 2002, he was chosen by his party to chair the Ways and Means committee.

Following the controversial election of 2004, Sumners engineered a coalition between his party and the Democratic Party to form a working plurality in the House of Representatives. It is also widely believed that he arranged with newly elected President Thomas Caine to gain the tacit support of Caine's Liberty Party in return for Sumner's pledge not to obstruct Caine's legislative agenda. Following the formation of the coalition, Sumners was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, making him one of the most powerful politicians in the Confederation.

Sumners has been married since 1964 to the former Esther Burns. He and his wife have three children and four grandchildren.