Camacho jumps ship, agrees to partnership with Juan Pan

Republican Rep. Joseph James Camacho jumped ship yesterday and accepted the “partnership” offer of independent gubernatorial candidate Juan “Pan” T. Guerrero to be his running mate in November’s election.

In a morning ceremony at the former Tan Marikita Café in Garapan, Guerrero introduced his running mate to supporters and family members, citing his appreciation for Camacho’s decision.

Guerrero said the challenges facing the CNMI community are complex and solving them will require hard work, sacrifice, courage and experience.

With Camacho’s qualifications and experience, Guerrero is confident that their ticket would bring the “changes” they desire for the Commonwealth and its people.

He said Camacho is a hardworking public servant, has a master’s degree in public administration, and is an attorney.

“As a younger man, he served as a police officer for three years, an instructor at Northern Marianas College for four years and what impressed me even more, he delivered pizza and was a dishwasher as he worked his way through college,” Guerrero said.

He said he closely watch Camacho during the 2007 campaign and was impressed at his organization, dedication, and sense of joy, hope and promise for the CNMI’s future.

“I am honored that Joe has chosen to join me in this campaign and I look forward to working with him and his supporters in the coming months,” Guerrero said.

He said the tandem’s headquarters will be at the first floor of the JTGA Building in Garapan at the corner of Beach Road and Orchid Street.

Camacho, in his message to the crowd, admitted weighing a number of considerations before accepting Guerrero’s offer to be his lieutenant governor.

He said family members were first consulted on the offer and they made the decision to support him based on many considerations.

On being an independent candidate, Camacho said his family believes that political parties are important as it allows individuals to collectively pool their resources for a political goal.

“However, there are some principles that are higher than party affiliation and one of them is electing the right person for the right job,” Camacho said, adding that more important than party label is the requirement that the person elected to public office must have the qualification, experience, and character necessary to do the job.

Camacho said that Guerrero has vowed to his family that the Team Juan Pan & Joe Camacho will be a “full partnership.”

“There is only one governor. However, the governor has traditionally delegated authority and responsibility to the lieutenant governor on certain issues and projects. There are many problems facing the CNMI today. It is only right and proper to delegate authority and responsibility so Joe’s education, training, skills and experience can be fully utilized,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero said that working together and sharing the workload will allow the governor and lieutenant governor to quickly cover more ground in order to address the many problems facing the CNMI.

‘Campaign focus’

Clyde Norita, campaign manager for Team Juan Pan & Joe Camacho, said it is the tandem’s campaign focus to conduct house-to-house visits to get people’s support.

Just last weekend, Norita said that Guerrero visited supporters on Tinian where a rally was held on the beach. He also made an initial visit to Rota some weeks ago.

Norita admitted that since before Christmas, Guerrero has been roaming the islands and has been talking to many people about their concerns.

He described the people’s feedback on the three islands favorable and good for Guerrero.

Norita said the time of career politicians in the CNMI government is ending.