Nine of the members are Republicans, seven are with the Covenant Party and four are Independents.
The House leadership is comprised of the Covenant members, two Republicans and three Independents.
Fitial is the founder of the Covenant Party but he has rejoined the GOP early this year and is now its president.
He has given incumbent lawmakers who wish to run on the GOP ticket until Dec. 31 to submit their letters of intent.
House Majority Leader George N. Camacho, Ind.-Saipan, said most of the House leadership members have already prepared their draft letters of intent.
Fitial did not name those who have already submitted their letters of intent but said, “I expect all of them to follow me.”
He added that he supports all the House members.
The governor at the same time said his “invitation” to run as Republicans “is not mandatory.”
“I’m not forcing them to do what they don’t want to do. I have tremendous respect for them,” Fitial added.
House Minority Leader Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, R-Saipan, earlier said that some GOP members would rather join the Covenant Party or run as independents next year.
