THE NMI Republican Party has endorsed Rep. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero’s candidacy for Saipan mayor in the 2022 election.
In her letter of endorsement on Nov. 9, acting GOP President Candace O. Celis said the party’s board of directors reviewed Leepan’s letter of intent and has endorsed him as the party’s mayoral candidate on Saipan.
“We are honored to have you on our team. We sincerely thank you for continued work, effort, and services to our people and to our party,” Celis told Guerrero.
In a statement to Variety on Sunday, Guerrero said, “[W]ith a grateful and humble heart, I am honored by the NMI Republican Party’s decision to endorse me as their official mayoral candidate for the 2022 election.”
He added, “My vision is to move the mayor’s office in a direction that will directly address community development and services, focusing on primarily improving the quality of life for our people and village beautification. Working together is key — by working individually with you, my aim is to ensure that your issues are addressed timely and properly,” Guerrero said.
He said he looks forward to “working closely with [the community], the Governor’s Office, our Legislature and regulatory agencies.”
Also running for mayor next year is retired Police Maj. RB Camacho, an independent candidate.
In May 2021, Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality Administrator Eliceo Diaz Cabrera announced that he would run for Saipan mayor.
The current mayor, David M. Apatang, is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. He has, however, agreed to be the running mate of Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios in the 2022 gubernatorial election.
Leepan Guerrero
