3 from NMI attend Republican National Committee meeting

SAN DIEGO—For the first time in many years, the CNMI Republican Party had all three Republican National Committee members attend a Republican National Committee quarterly meeting. Chairman/president James Ada, National Committeeman Bo Palacios, and National Committeewoman Virginia “Vicky” Villagomez were in full force for this important meeting.

From left, National Committeeman Bo Palacios, National Committeewoman Vicky Villagomez, and CNMI Republican Party chairman/president James Ada attend the Republican National Committee quarterly meeting in San Diego. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

This past week, the Republican National Committee convened in San Diego. The primary purpose of this meeting was to elect officers for the coming year. Chairman Reince Priebus, co-chair Sharon Day, and treasurer Tony Parker were all re-elected. Incoming secretary Susie Hudson was the only newcomer.

Ada presented a report on the 2014 elections to the RNC Western Region Friday morning. In his report, Ada highlighted the Republican victories in the Senate and House as well as the governor’s race. Ada stated, “The Republican Party is very strong in our Commonwealth and we look forward to working with the RNC to make it even stronger!”

Villagomez was one of the RNC members that seconded the re-election of RNC co-chair Day. Speaking in front of the entire Republican National Committee membership, and with several national media outlets covering the proceedings live, Villagomez said, “As the National Committeewoman from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, I am proud to support and second the nomination of the Sharon Day for RNC co-chair!”

Palacios also addressed the RNC membership to lead a round of applause for the newly elected Republican Congresswoman from America Samoa, Amata Radewagen.

The CNMI delegation was featured front and center throughout the RNC meetings. Day and Priebus both met personally with the delegation several times and reinforced how much they appreciate the participation of the CNMI in the RNC. The delegation met with potential 2016 Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, and Scott Walker.

“Every four years the territories are feted by Republican presidential campaigns. In the coming weeks we are going to reach out to the other territories to identify ways we can play a more important role in the nomination process.” Palacios stated.

Other highlights from the meeting include:

-2012 Republican presidential nominee and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney told Villagomez how much his son Matt Romney still talks about his trip to Saipan on behalf of his father’s campaign.

-Texas governor and potential 2016 Republican presidential candidate told the CNMI delegation of his trip to Saipan a few years ago and stated he hoped to get back there soon.

-On the final night, the CNMI delegation joined a few hundred of their closest RNC friends for dinner and dancing aboard the USS Midway. It was here that they were seated in front of Romney as he gave his speech to the crowd.

-A local San Diego TV station interviewed Villagomez after Romney’s speech. (GOP)