Propst’s possible delegate run will be known tonight

Rep. Edwin K. Propst (D-Saipan) disclosed yesterday he is going to announce tonight, Tuesday, whether or not he intends to run for the office of the CNMI’s delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives this November.

Propst said he will be making the announcement at his parents’ home in Susupe at 6pm.

“I’m grateful to those who have been supporting me and asked me to consider running for this [delegate] seat,” he said.

The position will soon be vacant after incumbent, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP), announced he will not be seeking a ninth term.

Former representative Christina Marie E. Sablan recently told Saipan Tribune she is not running for delegate this year, but will support Propst if he chooses to do so.

Propst said making a run for delegate is a “huge” decision to make as anyone gunning for the position will have big shoes to fill.

The CNMI has a congressman who’s served so wonderfully and the people have been so dependent on him, said Propst, referring to Sablan.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling about him…not running again because he’s done so much. And he’s been so consistent,” Propst added.

The lawmaker concedes nobody, including himself, can just walk in and get into that delegate seat and think they can do a better job than Sablan.

“He’s raised the bar so high. And I hope that…whoever is elected to be delegate can carry on his mission and that’s serving all the people, not just parties,” Propst said.

He said Sablan has the ability to reach out beyond his own personal parties and has established friendships and built bridges.

“I want that to continue, regardless of who the delegate is,” Propst said.

In response to a hypothetical question, Propst said if he were to seek the delegate position, he would run under the Democratic Party. He said it’s clear which party in the United States’ national parties has been so giving to the CNMI.

“By looking at what the CNMI received in federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act to Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, to everything else, it’s been largely pushed by President Joe Biden—a Democrat—with the Senate and the U.S. Congress.”

He said Congress had been mostly Democrat in previous years, but has lately been dominated by Republicans, which has made things a little bit more difficult, but somehow Sablan, who caucuses with Democrats, finds a way.

With Sablan’s decision not to seek re-election, more candidates are expected to run for the delegate’s position this Nov. 5 election.

During his eight terms in Congress, Sablan either ran unopposed or won via overwhelming votes.