Gubernatorial bets off to Oregon for Labor Day campaign
Four gubernatorial candidates are headed for Portland, Oregon, in time for the 10th Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament, which has become a campaign ground every election year besides being a special reunion for those from the CNMI now living in different parts of the U.S. mainland.
Gov. Eloy S. Inos left yesterday for Oregon, said acting press secretary Ivan Blanco. Inos’ running mate, Senate President Ralph Torres (R-Saipan), joins him.
Blanco said the governor will be visiting CNMI residents in the U.S. mainland, prior to the games.
“The governor will be back [to the CNMI] for the government Labor Day festivities this coming Sunday,” Blanco said.
Independent gubernatorial candidate Juan N. Babauta, along with his running mate, former senator Juan Torres, are also Oregon-bound, said their campaign team’s Juan S. Reyes. The Babauta-Torres team will also be meeting with CNMI residents in other states such as California.
Democratic Party chair Rosiky Camacho also confirmed last night that their gubernatorial candidate, Edward “Tofila” M. Deleon Guerrero, is also headed for Oregon. But Camacho said Deleon Guerrero’s running mate, Daniel Quitugua, will be staying behind to attend a fundraising in Guam.
Independent gubernatorial candidate Heinz S. Hofschneider is also reportedly headed for Oregon, but his running mate, former Senate floor leader Ray N. Yumul, will be staying here.
Besides a four-way gubernatorial race on Nov. 4, the CNMI is also likely headed for a gubernatorial runoff race if not one of the teams gets at least 50 percent plus 1 of the votes cast during the general elections.
Must answer why are our people there (relocated) and not here?
Must confirm they are still “our people.” Have they registered to vote in Washington, Oregon, Idaho? Do they claim to be residents of these states for in-state tuition? Did they finish their education or drop out and remain off-island? Setting aside the voter fraud that is being perpetuated, I wonder whether government officials attending these off-island gatherings are doing so on the government’s dime. Is Eloy on vacation? What about all of these candidates’ “handlers.” Many people deeply involved in these campaigns are government employees. Are they taking leave to attend? Are they concocting schemes to get to this picnic on the government’s dime? I’d pitch in a few bucks to buy an OPA investigator a plane ticket…