John Gonzales
JOHN Oliver Delos Reyes Bolis Gonzales said people are “tired of dirty politics.”
“They are tired of political trickery … [and] political party inner circle cliques,” he added. “Political parties are supposed to be [run] on behalf of the people. Now that I am independent, I have no worries whatsoever about sabotage or tricks because … I am beholden only to all of the people of the Commonwealth, our people, our voters, because they deserve no less,” Gonzales told reporters on Thursday.
Last week Gonzales rescinded his letter of intent to run for the U.S. Congress under the CNMI GOP banner. He complained about the requirement that GOP primary voters should present an ID and register as a Republican.
“Paramount in my decision was the quintessential need for us to respect the fundamental right of our people as registered voters to exercise freely and to vote for their preferred choice of candidate, free from intrusion, free from any distraction and violations of their right to vote,” he said. “The power and right of voters to vote for the candidate they believe in without any restrictions by a political party is fundamental and no one individual, group or organization whatsoever shall be deprived or suppressed [of their right]. The sanctity of elections based on free and fair play is a cornerstone of a thriving democracy,” he added.
Gonzales said on Election Day, “no matter what our socio-political status is … we are all equal. That is my primary reason why I am now running as your independent candidate.”
According to Gonzales, the local GOP did not provide him with a written protocol about the primary in advance.
“I have lobbied for an open primary because people do not vote for the party especially in midterm elections. They vote for the candidate they believe in,” he said.
“My pledge and my loyalty is to work no less for our people, no matter what color they are, ethnicity or demographics — we must celebrate our people, they need help, this is our home, we must do better because they deserve better,” Gonzales said.
As for the other delegate candidates, Gonzales said, “I have nothing but respect for my fellow candidates. I respect people’s right to run just like I respect people’s right to vote. May the best candidate win. Good luck!”
Besides Gonzales, the other delegate candidates are House Floor Leader Edwin Propst of the Democratic Party, former Commonwealth Ports Authority Board Chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds of the Republican Party, and Chamorro activist Liana S. Hofschneider, who is running as an independent.
The incumbent Democratic delegate, Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, is not seeking a ninth term.
