GRACE “Pitu” Sablan-Vaiagae on Thursday was accompanied by family members, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, first lady Diann T. Torres, NMI Republican Party officers and other supporters to the Commonwealth Elections Commission in Susupe where Sablan-Vaiagae filed her candidacy for the House Precinct 3 special election set for Oct. 16.
She is running against Democrat Corina L. Magofna to fill the House seat of the late Republican Rep. Ivan A. Blanco who passed away in July.
The governor said it is a great honor to have Sablan-Vaiagae run under the NMI Republican Party banner.
“I know that she will provide assistance not just to Precinct 3, but also to the entire CNMI,” he said, adding that Sablan-Vaiagae’s background shows “she definitely cares for the community.”
The governor said Sablan-Vaiagae has been helping his administration implement some of the community projects in Precinct 3.
“We are very excited and definitely we will support her,” he added. “I ask the whole community in Precinct 3 and everyone in the CNMI who has family in Precinct 3 to please give Grace the opportunity and the blessing to represent the people of Precinct 3 as well as the people of the CNMI.”
Sablan-Vaiagae said as an indigenous person born and raised on Saipan, she has worked as a counselor with different agencies, including law enforcement, as well as people who have been marginalized or under-served.
She said her community service involves social issues and concerns the manamko’, the youth, the children and persons in recovery.
“I went off-island to get educated in the field of my expertise and came back to serve the people,” she added.
Sablan-Vaiagae currently provides consultation services and develops programs for non-profit organizations regarding substance abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault.
“I felt that I want to take the next step because I’ve already been there interacting, serving, and now I want to introduce legislation, work with other lawmakers and with the government. I want to provide a mother’s point of view, a sister’s point of view, and a clinician’s point of view. So I am here willing to serve the constituents of Precinct 3. And I’m ready to serve them.”
While Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, NMI Republican Party officials and her family members look on, Grace “Pitu” Sablan-Vaiagae files her candidacy at the Commonwealth Elections Commission on Thursday.
Grace “Pitu” Sablan-Vaiagae front row, sixth left, poses for a group photo with family members, NMI Republican Party officials, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, first lady Diann T. Torres and other supporter after Sablan-Vaiagae filed her candidacy at the Commonwealth Elections Commission on Thursday.
