Republicans kick off campaign with roadside wave

The NMI Republican Party kicked off the campaign season Friday with a roadside waving along Beach Road in San Jose, in an event attended by hundreds of supporters, with the candidates running to be elected present, as well as Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, who came to show their support.

Rep. Joseph Lee Pan Guerrero, who is running for a fourth term in office, said that there is still many things that need to be accomplished at the Legislature, given the COVID-19 pandemic. “This pandemic that we’re facing, it’s causing a real hardship here in the CNMI, with our only industry, tourism, no longer in existence. …We have to figure out and find new money, and hopefully, if I do get reelected and return back to office, we are going to look into every avenue to come up with a solution, and additional revenue that would keep the CNMI government afloat,” he said.

The concern was echoed by Torres’ chief of staff, Angel Demapan, who is running for a seat for Precinct 1. He said his priority is to work with the leadership and the administration to re-stabilize the CNMI economy.

“The pandemic has hit us hard but it’s hit the rest of the world very hard, but I believe that if we have a collaborative and strong leadership, we can resolve our economic challenges and restore economic footing, to make sure that we deliver a better and stronger economy to our people once again,” he said.

He said that, in the two years when he was a member of the House of Representatives, 27 of his legislations became laws—which he describes as an unprecedented record. “I’m most proud of that record because that was my demonstration of commitment to the community, that I have the energy and the drive that it takes to have effective leadership in the House.”

He acknowledged that he has a very important task right now as the chief of staff to the governor, “but my passion to serve my community is there, and I feel that I can do more than deliver more services to the community as a member of the Legislature once again.”

Former police officer Cecilia Taitano, who is running for the first time for a seat at the House of Representatives for Precinct 4, alongside Rep. Joel Camacho, is also dedicated to progress, and is focused in bringing more opportunities and privileges to the CNMI community. Taitano is the party’s only female candidate.

“We’re committed to serving our indigenous people and our CNMI-wide,” she said. “One of our biggest platform is community-based projects, going out there, understanding the root issues that people are struggling with, and advancing on to opening windows of opportunities and helping our people in light of the pandemic and our current economic state.”

Taitano said her two biggest priorities are finding alternatives to the CNMI’s tourism-based economy, and breaking barriers that impede progress, and opening opportunities for people.

The general elections is on Nov. 3, Tuesday.