Torres-Sablan tandem forms campaign committee

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Sen. Vinnie F. Sablan pose with some members of the Committee to Elect Torres-Sablan during the announcement last Aug. 15, 2021, of Sablan as Torres’ running mate this coming gubernatorial election. (Office of the Governor)

Incumbent gubernatorial candidate Ralph DLG Torres and his running mate for lieutenant governor, Sen. Vinnie F. Sablan, announced Wednesday the formation of their campaign committee leadership. 

The Committee to Elect Torres-Sablan will be composed of CNMI Republican Party president James A. Ada, Mark I. Palacios, Victor B. Hocog, Juan S. Tenorio (Santiago), Ramon A. Tebuteb, Mathilda A. Rosario, Roman Tudela Sr., Edward M. Deleon Guerrero, Viola Alepuyo, Vince DLG Torres, Jack DLG Torres, Zerlyn A. Taimanao, and Kimberlyn King-Hinds. 

“Every election is a crucial time to reach out to the public, listen to their concerns, express our vision for our islands, report on the good work we have accomplished, and to bring our community together to exercise their right to have their voices heard in their government,” Torres said. 

“This team we have brought together is composed of accomplished leaders who have served our community in many ways. This campaign is about the strength of our people, and this coming together of community leaders ensures that we all find common ground in achieving solutions to better the lives of everyone who calls the Marianas home,” Torres added. 

Sablan extended his appreciation to the committee members for their service.  “We have all been through so much over this short time especially with the pandemic, but we have all come together because we want to see our entire community succeed. This takes effort, outreach, compassion, and a willingness to reach across all members of our islands to bring them into the table, into the discussion, about how we can continue to build a stronger Commonwealth, together,” Sablan said. 

Sablan outlined the approach the committee will take for the upcoming 2022 general election.  “We are ‘Together, Stronger,’ and that is more than just a slogan. It means that we have to put aside the negativity, realize our common strengths and run a campaign based on the truth and positivity for these critical years ahead of us.”

Torres highlighted the role of the committee in the months to come, underscoring the breadth of the committee members’ experience, their years of public service, and their active roles throughout the community.

“These individuals will help us reach out to the community we seek to serve, bring in more voices to the conversation, and help us build this movement toward a proactive and responsible government that can continue to protect our people, lift up those in need, and respond to the challenges that we will face. We welcome everyone to our movement of positivity and progress,” Torres said. “I thank the members of our committee and the many, many people across the CNMI that have reached out to support our candidacy. There is a lot of negativity out there, mostly on social media, driven by untruths and ulterior motivations by critics who do not have a proven track record of real solutions. However, we remain optimistic of the potential for our beautiful islands and that through service, communication, and love for one another, we can build a strong and vibrant community here in the CNMI.” 

For his part, Ada said he is honored to be selected to help continue this legacy of service by Torres and Sablan. “We look forward to reaching out to our community across all groups and backgrounds to bring in ideas, thoughts, and voices to this important cause of rebuilding our islands and building them stronger and more prosperous than ever before.”

Torres and Sablan announced their candidacy for governor and lieutenant governor for the CNMI under the full endorsement of the CNMI Republican Party last Aug. 15, 2021. (PR)