Local Dems want ‘new blood’ to revive party

The Northern Marianas Democratic Party wants more young people in its ranks.

The local Democrats on Monday evening decided to put off electing new officers for a later time after they agreed that “new blood” is needed to revive the party, according to Manuel Sablan, president of the local Democrats.

Sablan, a lawmaker from 1988 to 1992, said most of the people who showed up for the meeting are old-time politicians. He said the party wants more members under 50 in the leadership.

“If you take a look at the voter registration, most of the voters are in that age group. We need to focus on them if we want to win elections,” said Sablan.

Currently, the Democratic Party holds only two seats—Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan and Rep. Justo S. Quitugua—in the Legislature. Sen. Luis Crisostimo, who had won his first term under the Democratic Party banner, was re-elected in 2007 as an independent candidate.

According to Sablan, the party will hold village meetings to entice more people to join the Democratic Party. The first such meeting is scheduled for July 2, 2008 in Kagman.

He said the party’s membership drive is designed to serve two purposes: to get a Democrat elected in this year’s election for delegate, and to prepare for the gubernatorial election next year.

Crisostimo and former Sen. David Cing have both expressed their desire to run as the Democratic Party’s candidate for congressional delegate.

The local Democrats are also hoping to get recognition from the national organization in 2009.