Rep. Aldan files candidacy for Tinian mayor

Seven Tinian Republicans led by Sens. Jude U. Hofschneider and Francisco Q. Cruz and Rep. Edwin P. Aldan pose with their family members and supporters after filing their candidacies at the Commonwealth Election Commission in Susupe yesterday morning. Hofschneider and Cruz are seeking re-election for the Senate, while Aldan is running for Tinian mayor. (Ferdie De La Torre)

Rep. Edwin Palacios Aldan (Rep.-Saipan) filed yesterday morning his candidacy for Tinian mayor, while six other Tinian Republicans also submitted their petitions for nomination for Senate, House of Representatives, and Municipal Council positions.

Senate President Arnold Palacios (R-Saipan) and several other Republican candidates, family members, supporters, and friends showed up at the Commonwealth Election Commission in Susupe to show their support of the Tinian Republican candidates.

Sens. Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Saipan) and Francisco Q. Cruz (R-Saipan) filed candidacies for their re-election. Tinian Municipal Council member Antonio SN. Borja filed his candidacy for the House. For the Tinian Municipal Council, Esteven SN. King Jr., Patrick A. Manglona, and Thomasa Palacios Mendiola filed their candidacies.

Aldan said he is seeking the mayoral seat because he believes he can deliver more. He pointed out that, in the first two years, Tinian lawmakers freed the municipality from debt. “We accomplished that,” Aldan said.

He said they zeroed in on public safety and public health. Aldan said they were able to send cadets for fire and police training. “We are trying our best to make sure that our people are safe,” he said.

Aldan said the other part that he wants to work on with Tinian leaders is to raise people’s standard of living. Aldan said he has always supported making housing affordable.

“On Tinian, we have a lot of homesteads that are issued out and some of them are about to be issued out,” he said, adding that the young generation needs such affordable housing.

Aldan said they are going to sit down with agencies that are involved in that kind of financing, be it in private or be it public, to set reasonable housing rates.

He said he also wants to continue to engage in stimulating the economy of the island.

Aldan said Tinian leaders want the Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino revived. He also cited ongoing casino projects that are still going through permitting.

“Some are already doing the infrastructure,” he said, adding that they support these kind of investments as they support and encourage other investors.

Hofschneider said he is seeking his fourth election to the Senate as it’s always been his passion to serve the public and in this case, the Senate.

Hofschneider, as then-Senate president, automatically became a lieutenant governor in February 2013 when Eloy Inos assumed the governorship.

Hofschneider noted that, over the last four and a half years, they saw a transformation of positive things after a period of time when leaders were busy trying to figure out what’s the best to drive the course of the direction of the CNMI. He said over the last three years, they see things are progressing.

“All the numbers are indicative of that. From the GDP reports to some of the deficits being retired over the last couple of years,” Hofschneider said.

The senator said he is a firm believer that this is the right set of leaders to take the CNMI to the next level.