Hofschneider-Palacios tandem announces candidacy

Economic recovery is the most pressing issue in the Commonwealth at this time, Rep. Heinz Hofschneider said yesterday as he announced his candidacy for governor with House Speaker Arnold Palacios as his running mate.

Hofschneider said the CNMI needs to bring back air carriers and come to a decision on the direction of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., whether it’s privatized or as an autonomous agency.

The running mates believe renewable energy needs to be at the forefront of CUC’s future, he said.

“We need to resolve this issue immediately,” Hofschneider added.

Hofschneider, who ran unsuccessfully for governor four years ago, said the CNMI has squandered its position over the years because of poor policies.

“There is no shortage of wrongs to right,” he said, adding that the list grows every day.

Many sacrifices will need to be made to rebuild the Commonwealth’s economy, but Hofschneider said he believes that he and Palacios can do that.

Public confidence in the government must be restored, as well as the relationship between the CNMI and the federal government, Hofschneider said to a crowd of nearly 50 family members and friends at his campaign headquarters in Dandan. There has been contention between the two governments for the past decade, he added.

Rep. David Apatang, who was Hofschneider’s running mate four years ago when they ran as Independents, was by the candidates’ side to offer his support. Apatang decided to leave the political arena because of personal issues, he said.

Palacios said the biggest obstacle to success is having a plan.

“There’s no shortage of challenges we face on a daily basis,” he said, adding that a platform will be created within two weeks and shared with the public.

The two will be running under the Republican ticket. If a primary does occur and they lose, they will support the other ticket, Hofschneider and Palacios said.

“That’s a commitment that’s as good as gold,” Palacios added.

When asked if he will do anything different this time around during his campaign, the candidate for governor said he will reach out more to his family and friends for support and votes. But other than that there will be no major changes, he added.

Hofschneider narrowly lost to incumbent Gov. Benigno R. Fitial of the Covenant Party in the 2005 general election.

Former governor Juan Babauta and Galvin Deleon Guerrero, principal at Mount Carmel and Board of Education member, announced last month that they were running together under the Republican ticket.

Businessman and current Retirement Fund board chair Juan “Pan” T. Guerrero is running as an Independent. Fitial said he plans on running for re-election. Former senator and CUC executive director Ramon “Kumoi” Guerrero and incumbent congressman and former Lt. Governor Diego Benavente have also announced their plans to run for governor.