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Tudela eyes Saipan mayoral post
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Posted on Apr 26 2000
Former Congressman Juan Borja Tudela yesterday announced his intention to seek the nomination of the Democratic Party for the Saipan Mayor during next year’s elections.
He has written to party chairman Carlos S. Camacho to formally inform him of his bid, about 19 months before the November 2001 elections.
Mr. Tudela, a 64-year old retired government employee and a two-term member of the House of Representatives in the 1980’s, is the third person to have announced their bid for the mayoralty post on Saipan in recent weeks.
Earlier, Henry I. Sablan has sought nomination of the Republican Party, while Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Board Chair Jesus T. Guerrero has said he would decide whether to run in the forthcoming polls under the Democratic Party.
Mr. Tudela ran as independent in the 1997 mayoralty election on Saipan, eventually losing to incumbent Mayor Jose C. Sablan who was the GOP candidate.
He said that he decided to try his luck anew after encouragement from his supporters and other people whom he said believed that the Democrats can wrestle control of the municipality from the Republicans.
“[B]y making my intent known at this juncture, the party is simultaneously accorded ample opportunity to screen all aspirants in advance, and make amends with disgruntled or disappointed aspirants within the party for the sake of unity and victory on election day,” Mr. Tudela said.
Asked what his chances are of getting the party’s nomination over other potential bets, he said that it will be up to the Democratic executive committee to make that decision.
Before running in the 1997 polls, Mr. Tudela was the resident executive director of the Indigenous Affairs Office. From 1982 to 1986, he was a member of the House sitting in various legislative committees.
