Chamber hosts 2024 Delegate Debate

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2024 Delegate Debate last Tuesday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

It gave all five candidates running in the U.S. delegate for the NMI race a chance to give members of the community an insight into what they stand for and what they hope to achieve should they be elected delegate come Nov. 5.

With the CNMI’s general elections just around the corner, campaign season is now in full throttle with members of the community eager to know what their prospective leaders’ views, goal, and initiatives are should they be placed in office.

This year’s elections is made special with the NMI having five candidates vying for the delegate seat, a seat that Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan (D-MP) has kept unopposed for many years, for the first time in a long time.

The candidates running for delegate are Edwin K. Propst, Liana Hofschneider, Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Jim Rayphand, and John Bolis Gonzales, all of whom with unique experiences and achievements, said they are ready and willing to use for the betterment of the NMI should they be elected in this coming general elections.

For the community to get a better perspective of what these candidates stand for and what they intend to accomplish in office, community groups have initiated forums and debates to highlight them; the most recent being the 2024 Delegate Debate hosted by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.

Dozens of community members flocked to the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center for a first-hand look into what their prospective delegates’ platforms.

During the debate, the five delegates were asked questions regarding healthcare, education, economy, tourism, and military development.

While some differed in opinions, they all expressed that the CNMI’s economic standing is critical and they intend to leverage the CNMI to build federal relationships, and to fight for the well-being of the CNMI and the Covenant that gives the Commonwealth the right to govern itself.