He said he will consult his constituents and supporters and ask them whether he should run for the Senate or for Saipan mayor.
“I will announce my decision by the end of the month,” said Babauta who has been a House member of Saipan’s Precinct 2 since 1994.
From 2006 to 2008, he was the House speaker.
An ally of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Babauta said he believes that politics had nothing to do with the Legislature’s decision to override the governor’s veto of the budget bill.
He does not believe that his colleagues will “grandstand” in the pursuit of their political ambitions during deliberations on important legislative measures.
“I am hoping that despite the announcement of some of my colleagues that they are running for higher elective office, that this will not impede in anyway the work of the House of Representatives,” Babauta said.
He noted that the majority’s decision to override the budget veto was made long before the announcements of Saipan Republicans Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, Speaker Arnold I. Palacios and House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho.
Hofschneider is seeking the GOP’s gubernatorial nomination with Palacios as his running mate, while Camacho has agreed to be the running mate of former Sen. Juan T. Guerrero, a Democrat running as an Independent candidate for governor.
Babauta said he disagrees with the House leadership’s decision to override the veto.
“But the speaker really wanted to see a new budget in place,” he added.
