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Kilili throws hat into delegate ring
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Posted on May 26 2008
A third candidate has declared his bid to become the first Northern Marianas delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gregorio Sablan, executive director at the Commonwealth Election Commission, said he will run as an independent candidate.
“This election is crucial,” said Sablan. “Anybody who runs should carry the people’s agenda, [as opposed to the agenda of any particular political party].”
Details of his platform will be released later.
Sablan took leave from his post on Friday, May 23, 2008. He will resign once he has used up his leave credits.
Sablan has led the election commission for almost 10 years. He is also a former lawmaker, having served two terms as a member of the House of Representatives in the 1980s.
Two other candidates have announced their candidacy so far: Resident Rep. Pete A. Tenorio and Rep. Ray N. Yumul. Both are seeking the endorsement of the NMI Republican Party, and will face off in the GOP primary tentatively scheduled for July 12, 2008.
The election for the delegate position will take place on Nov. 4, 2008.
The Election Commission will accept nominating petitions and candidacy documents from July 7 to August 6, 2008.
Under the recently enacted delegate law, Northern Marianas will have a representative with limited voting powers to the U.S. House of Representatives. 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.
Judge Juan T. Lizama, who stepped down from the bench last Saturday, is reported to be interested in joining the congressional race.
