DESCRIBING himself as “the unexpected, expected endorser,” Joseph (Taisacan) Santos Rios Jr. said his wife, Corina L. Magofna, “has always been a person of the people” who will serve the people well.
Magofna is the Democratic candidate for the Precinct 3 House seat in the Oct. 16 special election.
Her husband, Joseph Rios Jr., is the son of former Saipan Mayor Jose Santos Rios.
With a bachelor’s degree in international business from the University of Hawaii and a Juris Doctor degree from Thomas Cooley Law School, Rios Jr. helps run the family business – apartment/house rentals, commercial space leasing and real estate.
Rios Jr. said, “One of the most important attributes for any individual is character. A person’s actions and accomplishments during their lifetime are measured by their character. As such, it cannot be manufactured or hidden; yet, it is a beacon of light that shines bright.”
He said, “Trials and tribulations build character. Those who know Ms. Magofna never once doubted her true persona. Those who doubted her accomplishments never truly knew the challenges she endured and overcame. Those who don’t believe in her abilities and proficiency never truly understood her unyielding persistence. Still, through it all, she has always been a person of the people.”
Rios Jr. said through hard-work and sheer will, his wife has managed to successfully climb the “daunting mountain of a capitalistic society.”
Magofna, he said, attained a financial accounting degree and gained extensive experience in Fortune 500 companies and multi-billion-dollar corporations (U.S. and British defense contractors).
“However, when asked of her accomplishments, she does not readily acknowledge such. Rather (with humility) she sees them as mere tokens of appreciation,” he said.
“Every step taken in life’s journey, whether in her personal capacity or as a professional, have been led by her deep conviction to her values. Every accomplishment garnered was hard-fought and painstakingly earned; she wouldn’t have accepted anything less. I can say definitely, she had gained the respect of peers and colleagues alike, as duly so. She is one who takes the higher, less travelled road than bend to fallacious proposals. Even when faced with prospects of defeat, she would rather decline an enticing invitation by the opposition party (during the last election cycle) than question her integrity. As of consequence, being the underdog is of no concern, it is belief in self-respect and honorable adherence to truth that really matters,” Rios Jr. said.
He added that “rather than point fingers or place a negative light on others,” his wife would rather speak of her experiences. “The arduous and difficult house-to-house visits made meeting new people more than worth the political endeavor. Her easy-going, kind soul is no pushover, however; she maintains a dogged determination when fighting a good fight, for a good cause,” Rios Jr. said.
“I have no qualms in her abilities nor question her sincerity. If her life’s journey has set her up for this moment, I am in support of her because I truly believe she deserves it. All through life, she dealt with adversity and overcame challenges. With this, I can say with certainty that it has molded her for the next chapter in her life — by way of giving back to her community. This is an individual who truly views what is meant to work for the people. I believe she would honor the seat as the peoples’ seat, honor the leadership role as the peoples’ servant and serve the people of the NMI as originally intended. Nothing less than an honest government.”
Magofna is running against Republican Grace “Pitu” Sablan-Vaiagae to fill the House seat of the late Republican Rep. Ivan A. Blanco who passed away in July.
Precinct 3 House candidate Corina L. Magofna, second right, husband Joseph Santos Rios Jr., right, and their daughter, Aiyani, pose for a photo with cousin Darren Pua, Darren’s son Mychel Deleon Guerrero, Corina’s uncle Jun Pua, aunt Pat Mettao Pua and their daughter Lou Mettao Pua at the Commonwealth Election Commission in Susupe last week.
