Three from VyatGU and others: how primaries are developing in the Kirov districts

      District No. 23: a game of its own

      The most interest among new applications is generated by the Kirov single-member electoral district No. 23, where three candidates have registered. This is currently the only district where the number of contenders has exceeded two.

      Starodubtseva Lolita Alexeyevna (born 1997, party supporter) - General Director of LLC "STARPINT", a graduate of VyatGU in the field of "Economics".

      Yelsukov Bogdan Sergeyevich (born 1992, party member) - individual entrepreneur, has studied multiple times at VyatGU (2016, 2019, 2023), as well as at RANEPA.

      Bushmelev Yeremey Sergeyevich (born 2003, party supporter) - a graduate of VyatGU in 2025 with a degree in "Public and Municipal Administration", listed in the questionnaire as a "student".

      At first glance - three contenders, competition. However, all of them are somehow connected to Vyatka State University, which traditionally falls under the influence of regional authorities and "United Russia". The nomination of three graduates from the same university in one district does not appear to be an attempt to identify the strongest, but rather a technical procedure: the party needs to provide a formal alternative while maintaining full control over the outcome.

      It is indicative that we are currently only at the stage of submitting applications. Before the registration deadline (April 30), one or even two candidates from this trio will likely withdraw, leaving a single favorite. Thus, the intrigue in the 23rd district, contrary to first impressions, is absent. This is standard primary practice, where a controlled university delegates several loyal figures, while the real decision about the nominee is made behind closed doors. District No. 21: a doctor in the social block

      In the Kirov single-member district No. 21, Solomennikov Nikita Mikhailovich (born 1986, party member) has announced his candidacy - head of the ultrasound diagnostics department at the Kirov Clinical Diagnostic Center, an ultrasound diagnostics physician. Solomennikov is already a deputy of the regional Legislative Assembly. His nomination is a classic re-election of an incumbent parliamentarian.

      Interestingly, Solomennikov represents the same healthcare sector as Arakelyan in district No. 20. This confirms the party's systematic approach to maintaining a "medical wing" in the Legislative Assembly, especially in the area of social block oversight (first deputy chairman Dmitry Kurdyumov). Unlike district No. 20, there are currently no declared competitors here, making Solomennikov effectively an uncontested candidate. District No. 25: union leader

      Barminov Georgy Andreevich (born 1984, party member) has announced his candidacy in Kirov district No. 25. He heads the Kirov regional organization of the Professional Union of Workers of Education and Science of the Russian Federation. This is the first application from a representative of the trade union movement in the current cycle.

      The trade union agenda is an important resource for mobilizing budget workers (teachers, education workers), who are traditionally active participants in preliminary voting. Barminov will likely rely on recognition within the professional community and support from the education system. His nomination may also be linked to the party's desire to expand its social base through organized groups of voters. District No. 27: military-patriotic segment

      Pomasin Konstantin Eduardovich (born 1961) is registered in Kirov district No. 27. He is the deputy chairman of the regional branch of DOSAAF Russia. A graduate of the Higher Political School named after the 60th anniversary of the Komsomol of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs, he has a military-political education.

      Pomasin represents a classic segment for "United Russia" - military-patriotic organizations, the veteran community. His nomination strengthens the line of interaction with law enforcement agencies and patriotic associations, which is traditionally in demand in regional campaigns. District No. 20 and others: what has changed

      In Kirov district No. 20, no new candidates have appeared yet - the struggle continues between Arakelyan and Domrachev. Monitoring this district remains a key indicator of intra-elite agreements: will anyone withdraw before April 30, or will both proceed to voting?

      In other districts, where only one candidate has announced (No. 21, 25, 27), the situation of technical nominations remains. However, it cannot be ruled out that the list will continue to expand in the coming days, and alternative contenders will also appear there. Scenario assessments

      Considering the new applications, several trends can be identified. For example, the expansion of social representation. The candidate pool now includes entrepreneurs (Starodubtseva, Yelsukov), a union leader (Barminov), a DOSAAF representative (Pomasin), and a doctor-deputy (Solomennikov). This is an attempt to cover different electoral niches: business, the budget sphere, patriotic organizations, healthcare.

      The youth component - the emergence of candidates born in 1997, 1992, and even 2003 signals the party's desire to rejuvenate the deputy corps and include graduates of specialized universities in the orbit of the primaries. However, the real chance for the youngest participants (Bushmelev) to be nominated will depend on how willing the party is to take a risk (of course, not) and grant a mandate to a student without work experience. In the case of district 23, the "student" application will likely remain technical.

      District No. 23: not competition, but a demonstration of loyalty. Three candidates from one university is not a struggle, but a signal that the district is "closed" to trusted individuals from the controlled system. The real candidate will be determined behind the scenes, and multiple applications are needed only to create the appearance of an alternative.

      Preservation of the curatorial logic. Doctors (Solomennikov) are going through districts that fall under the zone of social oversight. The union leader and DOSAAF representative are likely also coordinated with the relevant deputy chairmen of the government. This confirms that key decisions about nominees are made within the framework of the management vertical, and the primaries serve as a mechanism for public legitimization.

      What’s next

      The nomination of candidates for participation in the preliminary voting will last until April 30. After this date, it will become clear how many contenders will remain on the lists for each district. Voter registration for participation in electronic voting will open on April 20 and last until May 29 - authorization will need to be done through the State Services portal. The voting procedure itself will take place from May 25 to May 31 on the website pg.er.ru.

      If all three applications remain in district No. 23, it will mean that the party is deliberately creating the appearance of competition without real struggle. If most districts remain with one candidate, the primaries risk becoming a formality.

      For now, it can be stated: the party is expanding its pool, betting on different social groups, and maintaining control over the process. The main intrigue remains: will it be possible to avoid public conflicts between contenders, especially in district 20, where real, not technical figures have converged.