‘It’s time to make difference; we’re ready’

NMI Democratic Party chair Nola K. Hix said their candidates are all eager to restore integrity, accountability, transparency, and respect to the CNMI government.

The chairwoman said it’s pretty obvious that those things are definitely what makes good government, the people’s government.

“A lot of people are just… they are tired of seeing a lot of negative publicity whether it be Republican or Democrat. I think we can all agree that everybody is suffering and it is just time to make difference. So we’re ready,” Hix said.

Edith Deleon Guerrero, who ran as an independent in the last election for a Senate position but was unsuccessful, said she is excited running this time as a Democrat.

Deleon Guerrero said she’s always with the passion and the heart to help the people and make it better for the Marianas.

“So that’s the reason why I [want to] seek office again. I’m truly, truly passionate to make our lives better much here for the entire CNMI,” she said.

She described the party as a “fantastic team,” that she believes is the right team to be with for the Commonwealth.

“I truly believe that it is about time that we get back to the two-party system in the Marianas,” Deleon Guerrero said.

She said it did not take much time for her to decide whether to join a party or not considering all of the people that are running under the banner.

“It is the right people to join. So absolutely, it’s the right choice, the right time and it’s about time that we really truly bring back the Commonwealth to our people,” Deleon Guerrero said.

Rep. Tina Sablan said she joined the Democratic Party because she believes in the values of the party.

“I think it is time, the right time to rebuild this party and grow it and establish a real vibrant two-party system in the Marianas,” Sablan said.

She said so she so excited and so proud of the Democratic Party’s slate.

Sablan said she is running again to continue the work that they’ve started with their team in the House minority.

“We think that check and balance in our government is so important. And we really have the mandate of the people to clean up our government, restore trust in our government,” she said.

Sablan underscored the need to “build an economy that really cares for everybody.”

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), who supports the local Democratic Party, said he has always been supportive of good candidates.

“For me I’ve seen good candidates here and I am here to extend my support. Obviously as you know I caucus with the Democrats in the U.S. Congress. I just agree with the Democrats’ philosophy, the Democratic Party’s agenda,” delegate Sablan said.

The delegate noted that there are also good people in the other camps whether Republican or independent.

Rep. Richard Lizama, who won as an independent in the last election, said he decided to seek re-election as a Democrat, because he wants to see a two-party system.

Lizama said the Democratic Party has a better vision.
“As they said people first and that’s what I’m running for,” he said.