Local GOP struggles to reunify

The CNMI Republican Party’s efforts to reunify got off to a bad start on Wednesday night, as members argued and ended up going home without having done what they came to the meeting for, that is, the election of officers.

Some 100 individuals showed up at the GOP’s general membership meeting held 7pm at the Garapan Central Park.

Former Gov. Juan N. Babauta and his allies were present. Former House Speaker Heinz Hofschneider, a Republican who ran as an independent candidate for governor during the 2005 general elections, did not attend, but many of his supporters did. Sen. Pete P. Reyes, another independent candidate in 2005, came to the meeting.

Incumbent GOP president Juan Reyes presided over the meeting. The main agenda was to elect new party officers, in preparation for next year’s midterm election.

Reyes explained that, in the interest of reunification, the current officers had decided to suspend party rules that prohibit the election of members who had previously ran against the party. Such members include last election’s independent candidates, who effectively ran against GOP’s full slate of candidates.

Former Sen. Juan “Morgen” P. Tenorio, one of Hofschneider’s closest allies, moved that the election of officers be postponed to a later date. He noted that members were not given enough notice to attend the meeting and they should be given an opportunity to participate in selecting officers for the party.

Former Lands and Natural Resources Richard Seman said another meeting was not necessary. He said that whoever was elected would be Republican and would have the support of all the members.

Several other members spoke before Reyes put Tenorio’s motion to a vote. The members ultimately decided to postpone the election.

In an interview, former Governor Babauta said he felt that there were enough members from both sides to continue the meeting. He also said he hoped that the party would succeed in carrying forth its agenda next meeting.

“This is a great opportunity to come together as one. Whether we do it tonight or later on, the objective is to reunite. I think we are headed in that direction,” Babauta said.

For his part, Rep. Benjamin Seman said that the general membership meeting on Wednesday night had the biggest turnout he had seen in the last five years. He said he was worried that the crowd might be thinner next time. “I agree with him [Richard Seman]. Regardless of who get elected as officers, whether they are from BB’s or Heinz’s camp, they will be Republicans and they will work for the party,” Representative Seman said.