CNMI SPJ hosts first forum after 30-year hiatus

The CNMI Society of Professional Journalists, after over a 30-year hiatus, hosted its first delegate forum and garnered the participation of all five delegate candidates running in this year’s election.

Last Saturday, the CNMI SPJ—which consists of all local media outlets in the CNMI—hosted a delegate forum with the intent of better informing the CNMI communities of their choices for U.S. delegate this coming general elections.

Joining last weekend’s forum were official delegate candidates John “Bolis” Gonzales, Liana Hofschneider, Kimberlyn King-Hinds, House majority leader Rep. Edwin K. Propst (D-Saipan), and James Rayphand.

The debate touched on three major topics—national politics, the economy, and the military and allowed each candidate ample time to answer the questions prepared by SPJ members.

Independent candidate Gonzales, in his statements, pulled at the hearts of members of the CNMI community assuring them that should he be voted delegate this November, his only goal will be to work for the people of the Marianas.

“I will never promise anything other than your caring, compassionate, calm, composed, and respectful leader as a member of Congress. I will not be a politician that never worked, I promise you I will be your servant. For over 30 years, I have helped all of you. I truly care for our people. I will fight for all of you, calm and respectfully, because we must do nothing less. People over politics because our people deserve the services as American citizens,” he said.

Hofschneider, also an independent candidate, expressed that her goal, if elected the CNMI’s representative in U.S. Congress, would be ensure that the CNMI attains a higher standard of living as promised by the Covenant.

“This is a very important day for us to share what is in our hearts and our minds and to share our vision and [our] kind of leadership. As you are aware, the CNMI signed a very important called the ‘Covenant’ to establish a relationship with the United States. It has been 49 years since then and 16 years since we have established Public Law 110-229 to set this relationship as a U.S, delegate. I ask you for your vote of confidence to share my vision of a new leadership. My agenda is the CNMI; to get us what was promised in the covenant. I want to see all of us have a higher standard of living. The first thing I will pursue is to increase the CNMI’s minimum wage to $15 within the next five years,” she said.

The CNMI Republican Party’s candidate King-Hinds, for her part, banked on her experiences fighting against the federal government for the Marianas saying that she intends to use what she’s learned throughout her journey to be the CNMI’s champion in Washington.

“You deserve competency, you deserve representation that you’re proud of. You also deserve a fair government that works to serve you. I’m a fighter, I’m an advocate, and I’m very passionate of the causes that I believe in. I have negotiated many different federal agreements that have brought significant benefits for the CNMI. When everybody told me that fighting against the Department of Defense was like David fighting Goliath, I didn’t listen and stood firm and sued the DoD to ensure that Tinian and Pagan were not bombed. Now, we are in a situation where we have a very strong relationship with the DoD. That was me. I will use my expertise to and my passion to be the CNMI’s champion in Washington. We have many challenges but I’m hopeful that together, there is nothing we cannot accomplish,” she said.

Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands’ champion, Propst, said thanks to the mentorship and support of incumbent Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP), he has a better understanding of how to advocate for the CNMI in Washington and should he be given a chance, he will do his best to fill Sablan’s shoes as best as he can.

“I want to ensure that I don’t over promise and underdeliver. I will keep things real; I will talk to you as I would talk to anyone else. I’ve learned to always maintain humility and that core respect for your fellow colleagues. Something that is critical in Washinton D.C. I love these islands; I love these people. Together we will thrive, and together we can do great things,” he said.

Rayphand, for his part, said his agenda has been and will be economic prosperity, educational excellence, domestic security, and cultural preservation.

“I’ve entered this race on a platform of four main things: economic prosperity, educational excellence, domestic security, and last but not least cultural preservation. I intent to run for the people’s office in a two-prong approach, one being policy development in pursuit of this platform, and second direct consulate-type services for the people of the CNMI,” he said.

For those interested in seeing the entire forum, visit the CNMI SPJ page on Facebook.