A Democrat, Quitugua said he wants to run on his party’s slate, but admitted that “there seems to be no party official left to certify my nomination.”
Party Chairman Manny Sablan has resigned and did not designate a successor.
“I may have to run as an independent,” Quitugua said on Friday.
Now that the U.S. Democrats control both the White House and the U.S. Congress, Quitugua said “this should have been the best time for the CNMI Democrats, but we are not organized.”
He believes, however, that his party can be a major political force in the CNMI once again.
“We can attract new members, including the youth,” he said. “All we need is someone who can devote his or her time to organizing the party. I can’t do that because my job as a legislator is my priority. Hopefully after the elections, we can all come together and reorganize the party.”
A three-term House member from Precinct 4, Quitugua said if elected senator, he will continue to focus on the island’s infrastructure needs and education — “that’s where my heart is.”
The former educator said he wants to “expand my horizons and help the other precincts while continuing to seek assistance for our youth and their education.”
As a House member, Quitugua has authored laws that funded precinct projects as well as education and youth programs.
He is particularly proud of Public Laws 14-54 and 15-5.
P.L. 14-54 authorized the Public School System to create a technical education program, while P.L. 15-5 authorized Northern Marianas College to establish a U.S.-registered apprenticeship training program.
P.L. 15-5 also paved the way for the governor’s recent signing of a memorandum of understanding to create a federally registered apprenticeship program in the CNMI.
“This creates opportunities for our local residents to acquire trade skills which will be needed now,” Quitugua said, referring to the Guam military buildup and the coming federalization of local immigration that will restrict the ability of businesses to hire nonresident workers.
He said he has introduced bills to provide more assistance to businessman Tony Pellegrino’s Northern Marianas Trade Institute.
If elected senator, he said he will also find ways to provide more training to Department of Public Safety personnel.
“They protect the community so we must ensure they have quality officers and staff,” he added.
Asked about the funding source for all his proposals, Quitugua said: “We still have a lot of funds earmarked by previous statutes but remain untouched. The federal stimulus grants will also create new jobs and bring new revenue to the government.”
Quitugua said it is all a matter of setting priorities.
“We need to develop good programs first; once we do that then we can justify their need for funding.”
