16 delegate bets in today’s GOP caucus

Republicans in the CNMI will vote for six of nine delegates to the national convention in August and pick among four presidential candidates in today’s caucus on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

There are 16 candidates vying for six delegate seats to the convention, plus six alternates to ensure full participation in the Republican National Convention in Florida.

Two women backed out from the original list of candidates: Joann T. Aquino and Patricia S. Rasa.

The 16 remaining candidates are: Efrain Atalig, Eric B. Atalig, Diego C. Blanco, Michael Borja, Frank Camacho, Joaquina DLG. Chong, Rita C. Chong-Dela Cruz, Edward M. Deleon Guerrero, Jose R. Lifoifoi, Joaquin T. Ogumoro, Egredino “Dino” Palacios, Juan C. “Liling” Reyes, Herman Sablan, Ray Salas, Richard B. Seman, and Juan I. Tenorio.

Whoever is elected today will join Republican Party of the NMI Association chair Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, national committeeman Bo Palacios, and national committeewoman Viola Alepuyo at the national convention where they will help pick the Republican nominee who will face President Barack Obama on Nov. 6.

The caucus comes a day before Fitial formally endorsed Mitt Romney’s candidacy and urged fellow Republicans and delegates to also support Romney.

Some of today’s candidates said in separate interviews yesterday that they support Romney and that they will vote for him at the national convention in August if they win in today’s race.

In today’s ballot, Republicans are asked to choose one of four Republican candidates for the United States president: Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, and Newt Gingrich.

Today’s election will be from 7am to 7pm at the Carolinian Utt in Garapan on Saipan, Tinian Youth Center in San Jose on Tinian, and the Rota Republican Party Headquarters on Rota.

Alepuyo said that everyone who wants to register as a Republican is welcome to do so at the polling and could immediately participate in the voting.

The NMI Republican Party received official recognition from the national organization in 2004.

The nine delegates are “unbound.” This means they are not obligated to vote for a particular candidate at the Republican National Convention.

The governor and other local party members urged fellow Republicans to “go out and vote” in today’s caucus.

Matt Romney, the second oldest son of Mitt Romney, who is on Saipan with his wife Laurie, also encouraged people to participate in today’s caucuses.

“Your vote means a lot. On Saturday, please get out. Do everything you can. Not only would it be great to see you there but also bring your neighbors and your friends. Even if they don’t vote for my dad, I still want to make sure that everybody gets out and vote. If they do vote for my dad, give them a ride and offer them some breakfast or something,” he said.