Kilili won’t seek 9th term as delegate

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP) announced yesterday that he will not be seeking a ninth term as the CNMI’s delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives this November election.

“My love for the Marianas remains strong. But the time has come to pass this responsibility to a new representative the people will elect this November,” said Sablan, who is turning 69 years old today, Friday.

In his public announcement yesterday, he thanked the people of the CNMI for giving him what he called “the extraordinary opportunity and most humbling responsibility” of being their voice for over almost 16 years as their representative in the U.S. Congress.

Sablan became the CNMI’s first elected delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008. He is currently serving his eighth term.

He said this decision not to seek re-election comes after deep personal examination and consultation with his wife, Andrea, his loved ones, and supporters.

The delegate said it is not because he has accomplished everything he wanted for the people of the Commonwealth.

“The work is far from done,” he said.

Sablan said he will leave Congress believing he has been able to establish the Northern Mariana Islands as a respected member of the American political family.

He recounted that when, as a young man he stood in the U.S. Capitol in 1986 and promised himself he would strive to be elected if the Marianas ever had a place in the institution, he never imagined he would be the CNMI’s first representative or be able to serve so long.

“The people of the Marianas gave me this singular honor. I believe I have served you well. And I will be forever grateful,” he said.

With Sablan’s decision not to seek re-election, more candidates are expected to run for the delegate’s position this November.

During his eight terms in Congress, either he ran unopposed or won through overwhelming votes.