Democratic Party of the NMI names interim officers

The interim officers of the Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands. (Contributed Photo)

After three years at the helm of the Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands, Nola Kileleman Hix has stepped down as party chair. Hix’s transformative leadership resulted in the election of 12 Democrats across the House and Senate.

“Our success story is one of the greatest in the CNMI, and probably one of the greatest in the country in 2021,” said Hix. “The CNMI has been under Republican rule for more than three decades and to bounce back going from 0–13, with a majority house leadership and [Delegate Gregorio] Kilili [Sablan] declaring himself a Democrat—It’s just remarkable. We are only as strong as a team, so I’d like to thank the party, our elected officials, and our supporters who voted and continue to strive for necessary change in our government.”

Because the work to elect Democrats and to provide trusted leadership continues, the Central Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands announced yesterday the election of new officers who will serve in an interim capacity until the next general membership meeting.

Interim chair Jonathan Pangelinan Del Rosario Cabrera has been a member of the party since 2010 and has served as party secretary twice. A 2012 CNMI Public School System Teacher of the Year, Cabrera has taught students at Saipan Southern High School and the Northern Marianas College and recently completed a Master of Divinity at Brite Divinity School (Fort Worth, Texas). Cabrera is proud to be the first queer person to lead a major political party in the CNMI.

Interim vice chair Luella Ichihara Marciano, M.Ed., began her tenure as secretary of the party in 2020. A retired PSS educator, Marciano ran for office in 2020 and has since remained a loyal member of the party. She serves on the Women’s Committee, the Logistics Committee, and the Strategy Committee, all while remaining active in our community as a member of Refaluwasch for Good Governance and the Friends of San Isidro.

Interim secretary Melia K. Johnson has taught hula for over 30 years and has owned and managed her own dance company for over a decade and thus brings to this position cultural and business acumen. A wife and a mother of four, Johnson is committed to public service, to the flourishing of the arts in the community, and to improving the lives of all the people of the CNMI.

Interim treasurer Shawna Indalecio has over 15 years of experience in administrative and customer service, and in financial management. She has been actively engaged in various community-based and volunteer organizations and remains committed to her community and to public service. She looks forward to doing her part to better the CNMI and serve her people as a leader in the Democratic Party.

Today’s NMI Democratic Party would not be what it is had it not been for the tireless efforts of Hix, vice chair Daniel Quitugua, secretary Luella Marciano, and treasurer Evan Yamagishi. Hix, Quitugua, and Yamagishi remain members in good standing of the Central Executive Committee, and they look forward to joining the party’s efforts to elect democrats in November.

In other news, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Tina Sablan (D-Saipan) joined Hix at the Democratic National Committee’s Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. While there, Sablan met with key members of the DNC including chairman Jaime Harrison, Association of State Democratic Chairs/ASDC president Ken Martin, officers and members from the Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus, the Women’s Caucus, and the Western Regional Caucus who pledged their support for Sablan and lieutenant governor candidate Rep. Leila Staffler’s historic campaign.

Also at the DNC meeting was Michael White, who serves as the party’s national committeeman. For the first time in DNC history, a committeeman from the territories was elected to two DNC councils, the Seniors and Climate Councils. White was also elected to an at-large position within the DNC’s Western Caucus.

“All of the DNC’s caucuses and councils have governing boards,” said White. “Their responsibilities include planning meetings and working with DNC staff to spread the word and get the message out on matters of particular interest. For example, the AAPI caucus is very active in publicizing matters of interest to Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. The Seniors Council addresses issues of concern to older Americans, such as Social Security and Medicare. The regional caucuses, including the Western Regional Caucus, are less focused on issues, but have a greater voice in the governance of the DNC itself.”

The Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands—“The People’s Party”—invites those who are yearning for change to join us as volunteers and/or candidates. Together, we will challenge corruption and restore integrity and competence to our government.

For more information about the Democratic Party, visit the party website at www.nmidems.org, send an email to info@nmidems.org, or call (670) 484–DEMS (3367). (PR)