Crisostimo, D-Saipan, is running as an Independent candidate.
Food and drinks overflowed at the gathering held at Crisostimo’s building in Puerto Rico.
“This campaign,” he said, “is not about popularity anymore or parties — it’s about how we get the Northern Marianas back on the right track. How do we overcome our challenges? I am here to help.
The 47-year-old senator credits his parents — Luis and Maria — for his achievements. He said his father who worked as a farmer and fishermen instilled in him the value of hard work and perseverance while his mother taught him to count their blessings no matter how small.
Former Youth Sen. Roselle Calvo said Crisostimo is a successful businessman who entered politics purely for public service.
Crisostimo earned a business degree from the Portland State University.
He first worked for Bank of America and other private firms before he became an entrepreneur. He was elected senator in 2003.
“I helped brought in a lot of businesses here,” he said. “So what I am going to bring to the commonwealth are more investors and a voice in the U.S. Congress so that we would be given the opportunity to be listened to. I ask the voters to give me the opportunity to improve our economy.”
Calvo, the head of Crisostimo’s youth advisory group, said hemay not be a member of the Senate majority, but he “undeniably represents the interest of the majority of the people of the commonwealth.” She added,“At the end of the day, that’s the kind of leader we need — someone who, regardless of his size, defends us against the big boys who bully us around session-to-session. He is the face of public service.”
Calvo is a junior student at New York University.
