During this event participants exercised their right to vote for their preferred presidential nominee, along with delegates to the national convention. The NMI voted Sen. Bernie Sanders from Vermont as the Democratic presidential nominee awarding him 4 pledged delegates while former Vice President Joe Biden received 2.
Joe Biden eventually went on to win several state primaries and caucuses shortly after which led to Bernie Sanders ending his presidential campaign on April 8, and endorsing him for president.
With Joe Biden as the “presumed” presidential nominee for the convention, Bernie Sanders will still remain on the ballot to gather as many delegates as possible to influence the party’s platform and other functions.
Sanders made it clear that he viewed Biden as the party’s nominee, but that doesn’t mean that Biden is automatically the official Democratic candidate. He still has to receive the party’s nomination, which happens at the Democratic National Convention this week. If Biden secures 1,991 pledged delegates at the DNC, which now seems likely, he will be the official nominee.
The NMI Democratic Party is proud to announce its delegation for this week’s virtual convention held in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Members of the delegation are as follows with the party’s automatic delegates: Chairwoman/Delegation Chair Nola Kileleman Hix, Vice Party Chair Daniel Quitugua, DNC National Committeeman Michael White, DNC National Committeewoman/CNMI Rep. Tina Sablan, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, with Joany Flores from Tinian as the delegation’s page.
The pledged delegates to Bernie Sanders are Stephen Woodruff (Rules Rep), Fran Castro (Credentials Rep), Sophia Perez, Bertran Palacios, and Christian Punzalan (Alternate). The pledged delegates to Joe Biden are Ambrose Bennett (Platform Rep), Marie Camacho, and Eloise Lopez (Alternate).
“I am so proud of our diverse delegation that consists of a balance between males and females, seniors and youths, Tinian & Rota representation, Chamorros, Carolinians, African Americans, Caucasians, Asian Americans, people with disabilities, and LGBQT+ representation,” said NMI Democratic Party Chairwoman Nola Kileleman Hix.
“The NMI is a melting pot and showcasing our diversity is what makes the Democratic Party a party of inclusion. We are the Peoples Party and I’m very excited by the progress made both locally and nationally,” she added.
All participants in the NMI Caucus voted for their presidential preference and also voted for members our DNC delegation that placed their names on the ballots to become an official member of our party’s history. “That is the beauty of democracy and although we can’t vote for president having a say in the nominee with 11 votes is huge for the NMI,” said National Committeeman Michael White.
“I was looking forward to participating in my very first convention in Milwaukee Wisconsin but I appreciate the DNC’s efforts on making health and safety a priority during this Covid-19 pandemic,” said delegate Bertran Palacios. “I won’t be there to hang out with the team during this week’s convention events but I’ll be cheering us on here in Washington, and will make my vote count again in November when I vote for President.”
Said delegate Marie Camacho, “We are literally the youngest members of the Democratic Family and I’m excited to be a part of local and national politics. I belong to a family of die-hard Democrats and this is truly an important election year and exciting time for Democrats everywhere.”
About the DNC
The 2020 Democratic National Convention will be anchored in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 17-20. The convention is the formal event during which delegates of the Democratic Party choose the party’s nominees for president and vice president in the 2020 election.
At the convention, the Democratic Party also adopts the official party platform as well as the rules and procedures governing party activities, including the nomination process for presidential candidates in the next election cycle. For more information visit, www.demconvention.com
