THE NMI Democratic Party’s former gubernatorial tandem of Reps. Tina Sablan and Leila Staffler on Thursday joined the Independent team of Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang in casting their votes in the runoff election at the multi-purpose center in Susupe.
Also joining them were Palacios’ wife, Wella, and other Independent-Democratic coalition supporters.
Palacios said they decided to vote on Thanksgiving Day because Friday, which is runoff election day, will be a busy day.
He said he felt very confident that people will come out and vote for change.
Apatang said he wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Day. “Please come out and vote No. 1 on the ballot. Thank you very much.”
Sablan said, “We are asking our supporters to stay the course, stay together and vote for Arnold and Dave.”
“Yes, don’t get distracted,” Staffler said. “Stay the course, and vote No. 1 for Arnold and Dave.”
On Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022, Republican Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and his running mate Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan topped the gubernatorial race by garnering 5,726 votes, or 38.83% of the total votes cast.
Palacios-Apatang came in second with 4,890 votes or 33.16% of the total votes cast, while Reps. Sablan and Staffler received 4,132 or 28.02% of the total votes cast.
Because no one received the majority of the votes cast, the top two tickets — Torres-Sablan and Palacios-Apatang — will face each other in a runoff.
The governor and Senator Sablan, with their family members and other supporters, cast their ballots on Sunday, Nov. 20.
Energized voters
Palacios believes the early voting turnout for the runoff will likely surpass the early voting turnout for the general election.
He said he was glad that people are coming out to vote and are energized. “I think they are pretty much ready to see some changes in our community,” he added.
Rep. Sablan agreed. “We want to see a high turnout, we want people to participate in this democracy and we are hoping that people will come together and send a strong message — the CNMI is ready for change in leadership.”
Palacios said he is also hopeful that the people “would see through” the “dirty tricks” of the Republican Party, referring to the negative campaign ads directed against him.
Rep. Sablan said they are “making sure to continually reach out to our supporters who are part of this coalition to clear the record and assure them that we are united, and urge them to stay the course. As long as we stay together, we will win this election.”
Staffler said she thinks the Republicans are trying to sway the coalition’s supporters in the GOP’s favor by using “fear and division.”
She said, “The people are tired of those lies. Those dirty tricks may have an effect but not to the point the Republicans are hoping. Those are pulling us together more because the people are tired of being jerked around and used as pawns.”
Another Palacios-Apatang supporter, NMI Museum of History and Culture Executive Director Daniel Aquino, said he was disappointed that the governor denied Stanley Iakopo’s request for military leave.
At the time, Iakopo was the CNMI veterans and military affairs executive officer. He resigned in September.
A former U.S. Army captain, Aquino said it “breaks his heart” when a fellow veteran is “mistreated.”
From left Rep. Tina Sablan, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, his wife Wella, and Rep. Leila Staffler flash the “No. 1” sign before casting their ballots Thursday at the multi-purpose center. The Independent gubernatorial ticket of Palacios and Apatang are number one on the runoff ballot.
NMI Museum of History and Culture Executive Director Danny Aquino, right, and former Military and Veterans Affairs Executive Officer Stanley Iakopo.
