Moylan urges NMI voters to keep Republican link

Guam Lt. Governor Kaleo S. Moylan flew to Saipan Saturday to root for his partymates, the local Republican Party candidates led by Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Governor Diego T. Benavente.

Moylan joined the local GOP in the latter’s political rally held at the Garapan Central Park Saturday night.

In his remarks, Moylan said it is wise for the CNMI to keep Republicans in government to ensure a closer working relationship with a Republican White House and Republican-dominated U.S. Congress.

He said such leadership alignment is maintained in Hawaii, Guam, and the CNMI.

“It’s important for everyone to know that at the national level, they only recognize two parties: the Republican and Democrat. And it’s the first time in history that you have a Republican president, Republican majority in Congress, Republican governor in Hawaii, Republican governor in Guam, and Republican governor in the CNMI,” said Moylan.

The Republican link, he said, will ultimately work to the benefit of Pacific islanders.

“In the Pacific, they are working together jointly on issues that affect not just Hawaii, or Guam or CNMI but all of the Pacific islanders. And you can only do that as a party. If you break that up, that makes the job much more difficult,” said the official.

Moylan, who met and shook hands with all GOP candidates present at the rally, said the NMI’s GOP “has a fine group of candidates.”

“I support the Republican party and the candidates that are running in this election. They have a fine group of candidates, very strong,” he said.

Moylan, a lawyer businessman whose family runs an insurance company in Guam and on Saipan, said that the Republican administration in the CNMI has done “a tremendous job.”

“They did a tremendous job. I’m very proud of them. I can see the infrastructure has improved greatly. I see that the economy is moving along. As a party, our aim is to protect and serve the taxpayers and the working class,” he said.

Moylan had served two terms in the Guam Legislature and chaired the 26th Guam Legislature’s Committee on Ways and Means.

As head of the committee, he is credited for leading a historic effort to cut more than $94 million from the government of Guam budget.

He is currently chairman of the Committee on Government Reorganization, which is tasked with streamlining the government of Guam from over 50 different departments and agencies down to 12 Cabinet departments.

Meanwhile, hundreds of local GOP supporters—family members, friends and die-hard Republican members from government and the business community—overflowed at the park’s Round House, giving thunderous cheers each time their candidates are recognized and called on stage.

“This is just the same as 2001. It’s strong. Very strong still,” commented a government official who has close relatives running in this year’s election.

The Babauta-Benavente tandem won their seats in the general elections four years ago.