BB team accepts challenge

The tandem of incumbent Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente yesterday accepted the challenge of House minority leader Heinz Hofschneider and Rep. David M. Apatang, who have declared their intention to run for the CNMI’s two highest executive posts under the Republican Party.

Benavente said he and the governor would respect the Republican Party’s determination whether or not to conduct a primary election to allow all position seekers to compete as the GOP’s official standard bearer in the 2005 general elections.

Benavente said the GOP has proven itself politically strong in its conduct of primary elections.

“First of all, I don’t think they [Hofschneider and Apatang] will be selected [by the GOP to become standards bearers for governor and lieutenant governor],” Benavente said.

Benavente said that, at this stage when the administration still has over a year to complete its term of office, he and Babauta are not focused yet on political campaigning.

“We’re still moving forward in our commitment to the Commonwealth,” he said.

Hofschneider and Apatang declared their intention to run for governor and lieutenant governor under the Republican Party in a letter to GOP chair Juan S. Reyes last Friday. They asked Reyes for the conduct of a primary election within the Republican Party to ensure that the party’s political strength would not be eroded by partisanship.

Their declaration came days after Babauta publicly announced his intention to seek reelection with running mate Benavente during a GOP fundraising event at the Hyatt Regency Saipan, which was also the governor’s birthday celebration.

Reyes could not be reached for comment as of press time as he is reportedly in Arizona.

The Republican Party became the first political group in the CNMI to be recognized by its national counterpart, a development that the Babauta administration sees as boosting the party’s advantage in next year’s general elections.

Majority of the members of the U.S. Republican Party’s national rules committee voted in favor of the CNMI Republican Party’s recognition, amid lobbying efforts by Reyes and Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio.

With the recognition, the local party may seek support from the national party and its members.