Fitial is new GOP president

Juan N. Babauta stepped down as the CNMI Republican Party president Saturday night during the party’s general membership meeting where about a hundred members unanimously approved the selection of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to replace him.

Babauta’s resignation was the result of his appointment to the new healthcare corporation as its chief executive officer. In his message to members, he emphasized the need to devote his undivided time to his new responsibilities.

Fitial won the seat unopposed during Saturday night’s assembly at Garapan Central Park.

Babauta said that Fitial’s selection was made in accordance with the party’s rules and bylaws and he is confident in the advantages it will bring not only to the local party but to the entire Commonwealth as well.

He described the party’s new president as someone who has a very strong relationship with the national Republican committee in Washington, D.C. He disclosed that Fitial also has a good rapport with the current chairman of Republican National Committee, Reince Priebus, and has constant communication with key members of the committee at national level.

“I think it is crucial for the many issues we face here,” he added.

According to Fitial, he previously served both as chairman and vice chairman at the GOP national steering committee for many terms.

At the local party level, Babauta is confident that Fitial can bring unity to both Republican and Covenant parties, the faction that Fitial created when he ran and won as governor in 2005 and 2009. Babauta added that Fitial remains a solid Republican by heart.

With the GOP now controlling the U.S. House, Babauta believes that the political trend at the national level will have the party taking control of the Senate in the next national election. This, he said, would be advantageous to the CNMI, which has a Republican governor.

Fitial vowed to strengthen the Republican Party by implementing “inclusivity” among its membership. To do this, he said the party needs to expand its grassroots by way of networking with precinct clubs.

“I want to expand the support for the party because I believe that if you don’t have the numbers, you don’t have a party that is strong. That’s my goal: to expand our grassroots. How? By networking the precinct clubs,” he said.

When asked if the new responsibility will not hamper his busy schedule as the CNMI governor, Fitial said this will not have an effect in any way because party meetings will be held after work hours.

When Fitial moved to the Republican Party last year, he moved with him many key supporters but not Lt. Gov. Eloy Inos, who has vowed to remain with the Covenant Party.

“I have tremendous respect for the desire of any Republican or Covenant member where they want to go. I will not force anybody, but I welcome all of them to come back to the Republican Party,” said Fitial.