US House GOP leaders endorse Demapan candidacy

Demapan

The National Republican Congressional Committee endorsed yesterday the candidacy of Rep. Angel Aldan Demapan (R-Saipan) to represent the CNMI in the U.S. House of Representatives.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said: “Angel has a successful track record of service to the people of the Northern Mariana Islands and I know he will be an effective advocate for the Commonwealth. He possesses the skill set and the passion to be a powerful voice in Congress and I’m proud to support his campaign.”

House Republican Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said: “I am very impressed by the experience Angel Demapan brings to his campaign to be the congressman representing the people of the CNMI. His leadership and ability to understand the challenges facing our country show me that Angel is the right person to be the voice of the CNMI in Congress.”

House Republican Majority Whip Steve Scalise said: “I am excited to endorse Angel Demapan’s bid to become delegate for the [CNMI]. Given Angel’s history of service to his community, I’m confident that he will work tirelessly on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth to ensure their voices and concerns are heard loud and clear.”

National Republican Congressional Committee chair Steve Stivers said: “As chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, I am responsible for helping recruit Republicans to run for Congress. When I heard about [Angel Demapan], I knew right away that the CNMI was sending one of their very best to Congress. I wholeheartedly endorse Angel’s campaign and look forward to serving with him for many years to come.”

The NRCC believes that Demapan is the right choice for the CNMI in Congress, saying his campaign mantra— “I will be your loyal voice to Washington, not Washington’s voice to the CNMI”—is exactly what the people of the CNMI need.

Demapan gave thanks to the endorsement.

“Before I decided to run for U.S. Congress, I have made every effort to build relationships with key leaders in the U.S. Congress for the benefit of our Commonwealth,” said Demapan. “I am sincerely grateful for the endorsement. …These fine leaders are aware of our unique challenges in the Commonwealth and they have shown us their concern for the Marianas by swiftly moving Chairman Rob Bishop’s NMI US Workforce Act.”

“With a Republican White House over the next two years and signs that Republicans will maintain control of Congress, we have a tremendous opportunity to reap more benefits by electing a Republican from the Marianas,” added Demapan.

“We shouldn’t be swayed by the threats of seniority. We don’t have to look very far. [Delegate] Radewagen, a Republican, broke the longstanding tenure of seniority held by her Democrat predecessor, and it resulted in many more tangible benefits for American Samoa. [Delegate] Radewagen was also able to arrange a visit by Vice President Mike Pence to unveil the new name of their Veterans Affairs healthcare facility—a facility we still do not have in the Marianas after 10 years in Congress,” said Demapan. “And in Guam, voters there also decided they’ve had enough with seniority by putting an end to the 16-year term of [Delegate] Madeleine Bordallo, who lost her primary election bid to 37-year old Guam Sen. Michael San Nicolas.”

“So you see, there is hope for our future. Our people do not deserve to be suppressed with the bare minimum all for the sake of ‘seniority.’ We deserve more than settling with the status quo. We deserve representation that will be fueled by new energy and a fresh voice; representation we can believe in,” added Demapan. (PR)