Babauta files her candidacy for Saipan senator

Rep. Celina R. Babauta (D-Saipan) filed yesterday her candidacy for Saipan senator, while Rep. Denita Yangetmai (D-Saipan) also filed her candidacy for re-election as a House of Representatives’ member representing Precinct 3.

Babauta and Yangetmai were accompanied by their family members, supporters, and officials and members of the NMI Democratic Party, when they submitted their petition for nomination and candidacy documents to Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Kayla S. Igitol in the CEC office in Susupe yesterday afternoon.

In a later interview, Babauta said she is running for a senatorial seat this time instead of seeking re-election as a representative because she feels that her service is needed at the Senate at this time.

Babauta, who chairs the House Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee, said she believes that, in leaving her colleagues at the House, it will remain in good hands

“I’m confident they will carry on with continuing their service to the people of the Marianas,” she said.

As chair of the House’s JGO Committee, Babauta said this makes her very busy since 85% to 90% of proposed bills go to her committee. “So that has kept me on my toes, but never have I wavered from my service to our people, and that was first and foremost in my mind,” she said.

Yangetmai said she is seeking re-election because of so many unfinished projects in her precinct that need to be completed.

Yangetmai, who chairs the Cannabis Committee and the Commerce and Tourism Committee, said the Democrat lawmakers are doing a great job in the Legislature and that they want to continue that.

Rep. Christina E. Sablan, who is the Democratic Party’s candidate for governor in the Nov. 8 general election, said Babauta and Yangetmai decided to file their candidacies early because they are going for an off-island conference.

Sablan said she and the rest of the party candidates will file their candidacies on Aug. 5.

Sablan and her running mate, Rep. Leila Staffler (D-Saipan), and House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) were among those who came to the CEC to support Babauta and Yangetmai. Rep. Corina L. Magofna, a former Democrat who is running for Saipan senator as an independent, also showed up to CEC to show her support.