I WOULD like to take this opportunity to thank my family, relatives, friends and the entire staff of Little Darlings along with their families for standing by me and giving Joann and me support. Thank you to the people who contributed financially, in kind and or for morale support- you know who you are.
The road to the election was an uphill battle being an independent candidate. Despite the fact that many people wanted me to run under the party, I felt that I would serve the people better as an Independent candidate. I want to also thank the many supporters from other precincts who gave support and words of encouragement throughout election day.
To my supporters, although we fell short of our goal we were still victorious. In the end, each of you ended up winners and was the biggest victors in Precinct 2. Throughout the weeks leading up to the election, I saw progress being made in our villages. There were legislative trucks going around picking up trash, the grass being cut and individuals working on the water lines at every corner of the villages. This is what our message was about and we did not have to wait for the election results for action. So to each of you, thank you for placing your vote of confidence in me and again you are the winners in this election.
My wife Joann and I are humbled with the new friends we made especially with the children we met during Halloween night as we passed out candies in the villages. I want to say thank you to my nephew and his friend who we also met during Halloween night. Although the two of you were not old enough to vote for many years to come, the two of you were courageous and had the biggest hearts by convincing your parents to vote for me. I know that I promised you that I would fix the basketball court if I won but despite the outcome of the election, I will still keep my promise. Joann and I agreed to get the funding to repair the backboard, rim, and net for the two of you and the other children very soon!
Finally, I want to thank my wife Joann who was the biggest supporter and who I am indebted to for allowing me to participate as a candidate. Although we did not have money for this election to produce the most elaborate signs, and hold huge fundraising events, we managed with whatever we had. The surprise campaign ad you took out and the message was special and is something I won’t forget. Joann there is no words than can express my deepest and sincere appreciation and from the bottom of my heart. Thank you and I love you!
My family and I would like to congratulate the winners and we pray for them to execute their duties professionally and ethically throughout these tough times that we are experiencing. To the people who did not support me, I thank you for participating in the democratic process and exercising your right to vote.
To all the candidates of the different precincts who were unsuccessful especially to my cousin Mr. Greg Cruz, a candidate in Precinct 5, Mr. Henry Torres and Mr. Henry Sablan, candidates in Precinct 2 — I leave this special message to you from former President Theodore Roosevelt:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end of triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Thank you again! God Bless the people of Precinct 2 and God Bless the CNMI!

DANIEL IWASHITA AQUINO JR.
Susupe, Saipan