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GOP seeks to reunite anew
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Posted on Dec 07 2006
The CNMI Republican Party is poised to make another attempt at reuniting and installing a new set of leaders.
Former Public Works Secretary Juan S. Reyes, chairman of the local GOP, announced yesterday that the party will have another general membership meeting on Dec. 18, 2006.
The party leadership hopes that the attendance will exceed—or at least match—the participation on Nov. 8, 2006, so new officers can be elected. Former House Speaker Heinz Hofschneider’s allies had requested that last month’s election of officers be postponed. They had said that many members were not able to attend due to insufficient notice.
“That is why I am announcing the meeting early now. I’m giving them 10 days; that’s ample time to prepare for the meeting,” Reyes said.
He admitted that he was disappointed that the election was postponed. That meeting, he said, drew the biggest turnout in any general membership meeting of the local Republican Party.
Reyes urged everyone to attend the meeting next Monday and help pick the officers who will lead the party in the campaign for the November 2007 midterm elections.
“The central committed has decided to suspend all rules with regard to membership and candidacy. In the spirit of reunification, everyone who shows up will be considered Republican, no matter if they previously ran under another party or as an independent candidate,” Reyes said.
Some 100 individuals showed up at the GOP’s general membership meeting on Nov. 8.
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 showed up. Sen. Pete P. Reyes, another independent candidate in 2005, came to the meeting.
