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Benavente: Selection for running mate ongoing
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Posted on Jan 02 2009
Rep. Diego Benavente, who has declared plans to run for governor in the November election, said he is targeting to announce early this year his choice for a running mate.
Benavente told Saipan Tribune that he has brought in several family members as well as several key political allies and friends who helped him over the years in his political career.
“We’ve been meeting several weeks, couple of months now, making some decisions,” the former lieutenant governor said.
The first decision, he said, has already been made—whether he should run for governor or not.
Benavente said he already submitted to the Republican Party his letter of intent to run for the Commonwealth’s highest position.
“The other thing that we are currently doing with family members and friends is, I’ve asked them to help me make the decision, help me make the selection of the individual that we would like to serve as my lieutenant governor,” he said.
That process of choosing a running mate, Benavente said, is continuing and they are looking at some time early this year to formally announce it.
“We haven’t even began to put names because the plan is several individuals will be submitting names and then the group reviews the names, discusses the strength or weaknesses of the individuals. We have a process in which hopefully we can come up with a right decision,” he said.
Benavente earlier stated that improving the CNMI’s relations with the federal government is the key in addressing the economic crisis in the Commonwealth.
Last Dec. 11, Benavente formally announced his plan to run for governor under the Republican banner in the November 2009 elections. He is the first to declare his candidacy among the several Republicans believed to be aspiring the chief executive’s seat. Others reportedly interested in the post are former governor Juan Babauta and former House speaker Heinz Hofschneider.
