MAN ON THE STREET

Their [candidates] stance on education and their background, too. I really want to see remarkable credentials. It’s excellent to know that some candidates even have master’s degrees and credible experiences that would help them run a country or a state. I would vote for someone who is an educator who would know the actual needs of the school and its teachers and staff. I would vote for a candidate who has good morale toward others and who would also ‘walk the talk.’ The term politicians should be redefined by raising the bar for politicians. Speaking of morals, you would only get some politicians who are “womanizers” and with so much corruption in the government. I would want to vote for someone who is God-fearing, who works for the betterment of the state, his people and his family. I would love to see God-fearing Christians in the House and the Senate because I believe that they would alleviate so many problems in our government like corruption.
—Grace Sablan
As Perdido

I would vote for someone who has high regard for education. These candidates would always say—as expected—that education is their number one priority but when they are seated already, they tend to forget all about it. It has always been empty promises. The candidates should always bear in mind the No Child Left Behind Act. They should ensure that kids would score at par with the national level. That someone I would vote for should ensure that there would always be enough material for the CNMI’s schoolchildren.
—Hazel Tudela
As Perdido

That’s a tough question. Well, they would always say something good to make them look good. It’s all talk but, if there’s a specific candidate I would vote for, it would be someone who would help our education system. That someone also has to have a laid out plan for education because most of them would only say it’s their top priority but it’s all talk. I want an action plan for a long-term planning.
—Jessica Barcinas
Garapan

The government seat is the hottest seat in this election right now and there are so many parties fighting for that seat. I have no final decision yet on whom to vote for but I would want someone who would give priority to the funding problems of the CNMI, like for infrastructure, tourism and education. For infrastructure, why do we advertise too much about our islands when the islands are not actually prepared yet for the tourists? We are not fully developed yet and as we see it, we are not well maintained and our security is not given attention yet.
—Reynaldo Susulin
As Teo

The candidates would only end up as liars to people because they would promise heaven and earth to the community but they actually don’t deliver. They really need to give the budget the people need, especially on education. They are not fulfilling their promises, only mouthing but no action. That someone I would vote for should extend a helping hand to revive the dwindling economy in the CNMI.
—Joe Sablan
Kagman III

As a private citizen, when I look at a candidate, I really look at them on how true they are with their actions as compared to what comes out of their mouths. I firmly believe that if a candidate would establish his platform during election that would mean for the betterment of the economy and the community. What they should do is to continue to reflect on how and what they say that needs to be accomplished. I vote for the individual and not based on the affiliations they are involved with. I really don’t vote with regards to party lines. I’m a very conservative voter but I look at what’s the common good for everyone and to the community. I work for the Public School System and my purpose is to vote for one who has the platform especially that would help public education. That candidate should not only look at the school in his own precinct but at all the schools in the CNMI. The entire school system should benefit—not only one. The candidate should also answer the overall aspect of improving the CNMI such as the infrastructure and protecting the businesses that also keeps the local economy alive. We should avoid politicians who run for personal gains. We really need to look at making the CNMI a much better place to live in. Actions should speak louder than words. They really have to be humble and practice what they are saying.
—David Borja
Dandan