Pete A. eyeing delegate post

Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio says he is interested in the new CNMI delegate position, but will not declare whether he will run until the Congress-passed bill has been signed into law.

“I am very interested. There is no question about it. It’s a very challenging job, and it is consistent with the work I have done since my time as a negotiator of the Covenant,” said Tenorio.

But he added that he would not make an official announcement until the legislative process is complete.

The U.S. Congress has passed Senate bill 2739, which includes provisions to grant the Northern Marianas representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would also have Washington take over labor and immigration controls in the Commonwealth.

The bill now goes to the White House to be signed into law. Once enacted, an election will be held in November for the first CNMI delegate. This coincides with the U.S. general election.

“The delegate bill would make us almost full-fledged citizens,” Tenorio said. “We still cannot vote without first establishing residency in the United States, but after over 20 years of being citizens, we will finally have the opportunity to be heard in Congress.”

Tenorio said he expects the new position to attract a number of potential candidates.

Tenorio is serving his second term as the CNMI’s resident representative to the nation’s capital. The creation of a new delegate position will abolish the Washington Representative’s Office, and accordingly cut Tenorio’s term short by one year.

His current term expires in January 2010. The delegate to be elected in November will assume office in January 2009.

The bill, as passed by the House of Representatives, proposes a November 2008 election for the first CNMI delegate. This coincides with the coming federal general election.

Under the delegate bill, Northern Marianas will have a representative with limited voting powers to the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, all U.S. possessions except the CNMI have a delegate in the House.

The CNMI delegate will assume office on the third day of January after the election.

To be eligible, a candidate must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen and CNMI resident for at least seven years before the election, and a qualified CNMI voter on the date of the election. A candidate for CNMI delegate must not be running for any other office.

The CNMI delegate will receive the same compensation, allowances, and benefits as a member of the House of Representatives. Each member of Congress is paid almost $170,000 a year.

Similar to House members and other delegates, the CNMI delegate will be elected to Congress every two years. He can serve on committees, as well as vote on legislation at the committee level. But floor voting will not be permitted.