59 candidates to vie in Nov. 5 general elections

It’s official. A total of 59 candidates will vie for positions in U.S. Congress as well as the CNMI Senate and House of Representatives, municipal councils on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, and the CNMI Board of Education for the 2024 general elections, according to the Commonwealth Election Commission.

This, as the filing of candidacy for the 2024 CNMI general elections this coming Nov. 5 ended yesterday.

For the U.S. delegate race, five will be contesting the seat that will be vacated by Delegate Gregorio Kili C. Sablan (D-MP)—Republican Party of the CNMI’s Kimberlyn King-Hinds, the CNMI Democratic Party’s and House floor leader Rep. Edwin K. Propst (D-Saipan), and independent candidates John Gonzales, Liana Hoffschneider, and James Rayphand.

Senate candidates for First Senatorial District (Rota) are led by incumbent Sen. Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) with independent Ronnie Calvo also throwing his hat in the political ring.

For the Second Senatorial District (Rota), incumbent Sen. Karl King-Nabor (R-Saipan) will be running unopposed, while in the Third Senatorial District (Saipan), Senate President Edith DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan) is seeking reelection with Rep. Manny Castro (D-Saipan) and independent Luis Sablan challenging her.

House of Representatives candidates for Precinct 1 under the independent banner are incumbents Reps. Roman Benavente (Ind-Saipan), Joseph Flores (Ind-Saipan), and Vincent Aldan (Ind-Saipan), Raymond Palacios, Edwin Quitugua, Carmen DeLeon Guerrero, Yvette Sablan, and former representative Janet Maratita. Republican Party candidates are incumbent Rep. Roy Ada (R-Saipan) and Benusto Piteg. Diego Camacho, meanwhile, is running under the local Democrat Party.

There are only two candidates in Precinct 2—incumbent Rep. John Paul Sablan (Ind-Saipan) and fellow independent candidate Diego Sablan

For Precinct 3, candidates vying under the independent banner are incumbents House Speaker Edmund Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) and Reps. Marissa Flores (Ind-Saipan), Blas Jonathan Attao (Ind-Saipan), and Ralph Yumul (Ind-Saipan), and Del Benson and Elias Rangamar. Democrat Party candidates, meanwhile, are incumbents Rep. Denita Yangetmai (D-Saipan) and Vicente Camacho (D-Saipan).

Precinct 4 candidates under Republican Party are Rosa Rios and Antonia Kapileo, while incumbents Reps. Malcolm Omar (Ind-Saipan) and Joel Camacho (Ind-Saipan) as well as Cecilia Taitano are running as independents

There are three candidates for Precinct 5—Melvin Faisao under the Republican Party and incumbents Reps. Angelo Camacho (Ind-Saipan) and Thomas John Dela Cruz Manglona (Ind-Saipan) as independents.

The lone candidate for Precinct 6 is incumbent Rep. Patrick San Nicolas (R-Tinian), while another incumbent, Rep. Julie Marie Ogo (Ind-Rota), will battle it out with fellow independent Eusebio Manglona for Precinct 7.

Running for municipal council seats (non-partisan) for Rota are Sandra Masga and Tillie Castro. For Tinian, Estevan Cabrera, Ana Marie San Nicolas, and Joseph Santos are running. For Saipan, Antonia Tudela and Marian Tudela will run for reelection.

Board of Education candidates are Anthony Barcinas for Rota and Martin Ada, Gregory Borja, Aschumar Ogumoro-Uludong, Juan Tenorio, and Maisie Tenorio for Saipan.

Associate Judge Teresa Kim Tenorio, meanwhile, will seek retention to the CNMI Superior Court.