However, he added, Guerrero convinced him that they will be partners.
“It is often said that [the candidate for] lt. governor [is] only important during the campaign season. Once elected into office, the lt. governor is pushed aside…and forgotten. [But] Juan Pan committed to the family that team Juan Pan & Joe Camacho is a full partnership,” said Camacho, a Republican.
“There is only one governor,” he added. “However, the governor has traditionally delegated authority and responsibility to the lt. Governor [regarding] certain issues and projects.”
Guerrero, a Democrat, said he is convinced that Camacho is the right partner.
The two will run on an Independent ticket.
“Political parties are important as they allow individuals to collectively pool their resources for a political goal,” Camacho said. “However, there are some principles that are higher than party affiliation. One of them is electing the right person for the job.”
He added, “When a person takes the oath of an elected office, he or she is an elected official for all the people of the CNMI — not just Republicans or Democrats or Covenant Party members.”
On Sunday, Camacho consulted his family members and friends regarding Guerrero’s offer.
“The family granted their consent for the Juan Pan & Joe Camacho partnership. This is why and how I came about to accept Juan Pan’s offer to run as his lt. governor,” said Camacho.
Guerrero said Camacho has the commitment and the drive to help revive the islands’ sluggish economy.
“Joe is a hard working public servant. He has a master’s degree in public administration and he is an attorney. As a younger man, he served as a police officer for three years, an instructor at Northern Marianas College for four years and, what impressed me even more, he delivered pizza and was dishwasher as he worked his way through college,” said Guerrero.
He said Camacho is organized and focused.
“I am honored that Joe has chosen to join me in this campaign and I look forward to working with him and his supporters in the coming months,” Guerrero added.
He said his 20 years of running different businesses and Camacho’s legal expertise will be helpful to the CNMI government.
The other candidates for governor are the incumbent, Benigno R. Fitial of the Covenant Party; former Sen. Ramon S. Deleon Guerrero, an Independent; and Republicans Juan N. Babauta, a former governor, and Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider.
In June, the GOP will hold a primary and select who between Babauta and Hofschneider will be the party’s candidate.
