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4th Republican lawmaker to run as ‘independent’
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Posted on Jan 31 2012
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
Reporter
Rep. Frank Dela Cruz (R-Saipan) said he will seek re-election on Nov. 6 but will run as an independent candidate, joining three other incumbent Republican lawmakers who will also do the same. Others have yet to decide whether to run and under which party.
“As much as I respect the governor, I don’t believe I can work well with the existing Republican organization right now,” Dela Cruz, a House member from Precinct 3, told Saipan Tribune.
House minority leader Joseph Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan) and Rep. Ray Tebuteb (R-Saipan) earlier confirmed seeking re-election as independent candidates. Rep. Ray Yumul (R-Saipan) is eyeing a run for the Senate, also as an independent.
Long-time Republican lawmakers 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.
Rep. Joseph Palacios (R-Saipan), meanwhile, confirmed yesterday he is seeking re-election still under the Republican Party.
While some Republican lawmakers are running as independents, some Covenant Party members and independents followed the governor to the Republican Party. They include Vice Speaker Felicidad Ogumoro (Cov-Saipan), House floor leader George Camacho (Ind-Saipan), and Rep. Ray Basa (Cov-Saipan).
