NMI Democratic Party caucus down to 2

Last Friday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren ended her presidential campaign, narrowing the Democratic Party pool down to just two: former vice president Joe Biden, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

“I am so sad that she exited the race but I’m also confident that this won’t be the last time we see her. She would make an excellent vice president and I think that time for giving women a seat for one or two of the highest positions in office have been long overdue,” said NMI Democrat Marie Camacho.

This came shortly after former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg also ended his campaign after making history as the “billionaire that self-funded his entire campaign”—singlehandedly outspending every presidential candidate, including incumbent President Donald Trump, and setting the bar for a presidential campaign Democrats have never seen before. He wasn’t the only self-funded campaign, as millionaire Tom Steyer also ended his race a few days prior.

With the exception of Steyer, former presidential candidates Bloomberg, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, and Beto O’Rourke all endorsed Biden during last week’s Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses. Based on last week’s results Biden won 10 states including Texas, while Sanders won the largest prize of the night, California. As of today, both candidates are in a close race for the nomination, with Biden’s delegate count of 610 versus Sanders’ count of 513.

Warren was advertised last week as one of three candidates on the NMI Caucus ballot but has since been removed with her exit announcement. The real question on everyone’s minds is who will she endorse: Biden or Sanders? Following her announcement last week, both candidates have reached out to her and both respect the time needed to make her decision.

“As we celebrate Women’s Month here in the CNMI, and International Women’s Day today. I applaud Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar, Tulsi Gabbard, and Marriane Williamson—all Democratic presidential candidates willing to step up to the plate and run,” said NMI Democratic Party chair Nola Kileleman Hix.

“That’s six women. Since 2018 we’ve seen a surge of women—diverse women from all ethnicities, backgrounds, and orientations winning. Our neighboring island of Guam is a perfect example of women making history in politics, with them electing their first female governor, Lou Leon Guerrero, followed by the super majority of women in the House or, as they call it, the ‘Guam Ladieslature.’ The best part is—they’re all Democrats,” said the NMI Democratic Party in a statement Monday.

In 2018, The New York Times reported a total of 117 women elected in office: 100 Democrats, and 17 Republicans, and “regardless of party lines, I have never been more proud of this milestone,” Hix said.

The March 14 presidential caucus will be the first step in the NMI’s participation in this process. At the caucus, Democrats will elect delegates to attend the National Convention according to presidential preference group. The caucus will be held on Saipan at the Saipan World Resort’s Taga Ballroom, with simultaneous sub-caucuses to be held at the Northern Marianas College on Tinian – Room C, (VTC Room) and Rota – Room B2 (VTC Room). Doors open at 5pm, with doors closing for the caucuses to begin promptly at 6pm. NMI registered voters who would like to participate and register as members of the party are welcome and encouraged to attend. All NMI registered voters and persons who will be eligible to vote on or before Nov. 3, 2020, on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota will be able to visit the designated caucus voting sites and cast votes for their Democratic presidential candidate of choice. Visit www.nmidems.org for more information and don’t miss the opportunity to participate in democracy and have a voice in choosing the next President of the United States. (PR)