‘Next time we will win’

These were the fighting words that were repeated again and again by most supporters of independent gubernatorial candidates Heinz Hofschneider and David Apatang—just minutes after the final result of the 2005 general elections was released yesterday evening.

Citing the slim 99-vote margin of the winning tandem of Ben Fitial and Tim Villagomez, the Heinz-David camp vowed to do better in the gubernatorial elections four years from now, even as several supporters couldn’t help but cry at the results of the final tally.

“Viva Heinz and Dave! Viva Heinz and Dave!” cried over 500 “blue” supporters who gathered at the Hofschneider and Apatang headquarters in As Lito yesterday afternoon to monitor the counting of the absentee ballots through KMCV’s live broadcast.

The supporters did not leave the headquarters immediately soon after the results were announced. They queued up to congratulate their gubernatorial bet for “giving a good fight” in this election. Emotional supporters hugged each other and their candidates, some of them bursting into tears and comforting Hofschneider by saying, “Next time we will win. We almost made it.”

The independent team ranked second in the counting of the absentee ballots, managing to garner 339 votes. Incumbent Gov. Juan N. Babauta was ahead with 382 votes, followed by the Heinz-David team, and the Ben-Tim tandem trailing at 312. These, however, failed to dislodge the Covenant Party standard bearers from the top spot in the overall tally.

Hofschneider said that, even though he might have lost the race, he and his supporters did not lose their cause, which is the people. “We brought the community together through this election,” Hofschneider said.

“We need to stick together,” he said, adding that the next four years could be a difficult time for the CNMI, which is all the more reason why people should support the next government.

Hofschneider said the election brought positive values to the community because it changed people’s outlook, especially during election time.

Hofschneider told his supporters that they all gave a good fight and that he would be forever grateful and indebted to everyone who supported and voted for him and Apatang.

As for the ballots that were not counted by the Board of Elections due to failure to comply with standards and rules, Hofschneider said that this is already to be expected in any election.

“I will pay closer attention to my two daughters, with whom I have not been a full-time dad for 14 years,” Hofschneider said about his plans after the election. “I would reflect more and do things I truly believe in, that is, to help more people in the future.”