Fifth Republican to run as ‘independent’ in Nov. polls

It’s now Rep. Tony Sablan’s (R-Saipan) turn to announce he’s seeking re-election on Nov. 6 but will run as an independent candidate—just like four of his fellow incumbent Republicans.

“After consulting with my family and supporters, I decided to seek re-election as an independent,” Sablan, from Precinct 1, told Saipan Tribune yesterday. “There’s never been any formal communication from the current Republican Party leadership asking my intention whether I intend to run again or not. How can you reorganize a party without consulting all your members and give the incumbents a chance?”

Sablan, a former immigration director, is the fifth among members of the minority bloc to announce bolting out of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s Republican Party for the midterm elections.

The others are House minority leader Joseph Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan), Rep. Ray Tebuteb (R-Saipan), Rep. Frank Dela Cruz (R-Saipan), and Rep. Ray Yumul (R-Saipan), who is running for a Senate seat.

Long-time Republican lawmakers have expressed disappointment with the governor’s selection as GOP president in November, when party bylaws were amended to allow a sitting governor to become party president and when an election of officers was held without inviting the incumbent Republicans.

Tebuteb, in a separate interview yesterday, said the incumbent Republicans’ decision to run as independents in November is not only because of the current leadership but also as a result of consultation with their constituents, among other things.

Tebuteb, at the same time, announced that he will support Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan’s (Ind-MP) re-election bid, while Sablan said he’s likely to also support the incumbent delegate.

So far, Kilili Sablan is the only one who has announced his intention to seek the delegate seat in the midterm polls. Fitial’s Republican Party, the Democratic Party, and the Covenant Party have yet to announce their own candidates.

The other Republicans in the House aligning themselves with the House leadership will remain with the GOP, including Speaker Eli Cabrera (R-Saipan) and Rep. Joseph Palacios (R-Saipan).

At least two Covenant Party members and one independent will also move to the Republican Party.

Sources said once independents and Covenant Party members coalesce in the House after the November elections, they may be able to take over the House leadership.