Candidates gear up for elections

Political hopefuls have started gearing up. Campaign banners hang everywhere. Debates are around the corner.

A total of 70 candidates —18 of them are reelectionists — will race for different positions at stake in the Nov. 6 mid-term elections, according to records from the Board of Elections.

Yesterday was the last day for filing of nominating petitions, which will be certified today, according to BOE Executive Director Gregorio Sablan.

The Commonwealth’s more than 14,000 voters will be choosing among candidates from the Republican Party, Democratic Party, Reform Party, and the Independent block.

The Senate will fill up three vacant positions, one from each of the CNMI’s major islands.

Incumbent Republican Sen. Juan P. Tenorio and Reform Party’s Ramon S. Guerrero — a former Democrat— jostle for the Saipan seat in the Senate.

In Rota, independent Glenn H. Manglona will be challenging incumbent Senate President Paul A. Manglona, a Republican.

The Tinian seat will be contested between incumbent Democrat David M. Cing, and Republican Party’s Jose A. Hocog.

The Democratic Party did not field a candidate for the Senate.

At the House of Representatives, 18 positions are up for grab. (See complete list on page 3)

The elections also include race for nonpolitical positions in the municipal councils of Saipan, Tinian and, Rota, as well as the Board of Education.

Candidates for Saipan council are David A. Indalecio, Jesus SN. Lizama, Consolacion C. Togawa, Gregorio V. DL Guerrero and Canice K. Taitano.

Aiming for seats at the Tinian council are former school principal Evelyn B. Manglona, Juan O. Barcinas, Antonio H. Borja, Esteven M. King, Juanita M. Mendiola and Antonio O. Kiyoshi.

Running for Rota council are Alexander A. Apatang, Kevin T. Atalig, Alice A. Ladore, Steven K. Mesngon Abraham M. Ogo and Jose M. Rosario.

The Board of Education has three vacant seats—two for Saipan, and one for Rota.

The two Saipan seats were vacated by Esther Fleming, who is seeking reelection; and Tom Pangelinan, who is now running under the Republican Party for District 4 in the House of Representatives.

Edward H. Manglona and CNMI PTA Council vice president Roman C. Benavente are also running for the Saipan seat at the education board.

Marja Lee Taitano, board member for Rota, is seeking reelection. Her seat is being targeted by Dolores H. Mundo, and former education board member Daniel O. Quitugua.

Tinian, which has a voting population of less than 1,000, doesn’t have a representative to the education board. (MCM)