Birmingham-Babauta to run for House seat

Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. public information officer Samantha A’ani Birmingham-Babauta has announced her intention to run for a seat in the House of Representatives.

“I am running for House of Representatives Precinct 1,” said the 24-year-old Birmingham-Babauta, who is running as an independent.

“I want to do more work than me just going to the podium, saying my piece, sharing my voice and trying to change things from the other side of the system. This is will give me an opportunity to be in the system and a seat at the table,” she said.

“I want to be able to draft legislation and have partnerships with agencies because from experience, a lot of legislation is not in partnership with agencies so the draft does not et things done and some times it’s not even within federal regulations of what that agency is required to do,” Birmingham-Babauta added

Birmingham-Babauta is no stranger to the House, as during her public testimony against House Bill 20-149 to revert the CHCC under the central government, she did not hesitate to make her voice heard.

Birmingham-Babauta was born and raised on Saipan, going to both Saipan Southern High School and graduating from Marianas High School before completing her first year of college at the University of Guam. She transferred to California State University, Northridge where she graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology.

Before becoming the PIO at CHCC, she served as the research associate for Policy, Sustainability, and Development, and was responsible for tracking CNMI legislation related to health and CHCC.

The issues close to Birminham-Babauta are access to healthcare, mental and environmental health, urban development and many the many issues experienced by everybody.

According to Rep. Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan), Birmingham-Babauta’s credentials and resume speaks for itself.

“She is a Gates Millennium Scholar, is very articulate and aware of the current issues facing our beloved Commonwealth, and she is as principled as she is passionate about serving our community,” he said.

Representative and Senate candidate Vinnie F. Sablan seconds Prospt. “For the short time I’ve known Sami, I truly believe she has the potential to represent our people. She has already been a strong voice for our community and has the leadership skills to have a seat at the table,” he said.