Propst vies for Precinct 1 House seat

Ed Propst, a long-time advocate for a transparent, accountable, and corruption-free government, will seek a seat in the House of Representatives representing Precinct 1 in the November elections. He will be an independent candidate.
Propst, 43, said that instead of a “platform,” his team will be preparing a “contract” with the people of Precinct 1 that spells out “the things that I will do and will not do.”

“The problem with platforms is that as soon as they’re written, they’re ignored and they’re thrown away,” Propst said in an interview yesterday.

Propst said the “culture of politics up at Capital Hill needs to change,” adding that the CNMI needs to have leaders that are “going to read the bills, debate and discuss bills, and look what is really in the best interest of not the select few but all of our people.”

“[People] have asked me, ‘what are you going to do when none of your bills gets passed?’ I’ve been telling people the job of a legislator is not [only] making sure that the bills get passed but [also] ensure that bad bills don’t get passed. We’re the watchdog of the CNMI and we have to protect our assets with little money we have,” he added.

He said his main motivation is “the ability to help others,” coupled with “frustration with the way things are done for far too long.”

Propst was among those who publicly supported the 17th and 18th House’s impeachment resolutions against former governor Benigno R. Fitial for corruption, felony, and neglect of duty, and has been vocal about what he perceives as the government’s improper handling of public affairs, including the Saipan casino gaming bill that he said was “rushed” to passage without the benefit of a public hearing and without proper review by lawmakers.

For about a month, Propst weighed the pros and cons of seeking elected office and he came up with a decision on Sunday night.

Propst is a graduate of Marianas High School. He went to Northern Marianas College, and graduated from University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He is currently program manager of the Public School System’s Head Start.

Precinct 1 has six available seats but the number of declared and potential candidates is now much more than that as of this week.