LEADERS of the Democratic Party of the NMI accompanied Reps. Celina Roberto Babauta and Denita Kaipat Yangetmai who filed their respective candidacies at the Commonwealth Election Commission on Wednesday.
Babauta, who chairs the House Judiciary and Governmental Operations, is vying for one of the two Saipan Senate seats while Yangetmai, the chairwoman of the House Commerce and Tourism, and Cannabis committees, is seeking reelection in Precinct 3.
Babauta, who led the investigation of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ public expenditures leading to his impeachment earlier this year, is the only Democrat running for senator on Saipan.
Yangetmai is running with fellow Democrats Rep. Vicente Camacho and a new candidate, Lauren Yvonne Sonis “Obo” Pangelinan, in Precinct 3.
After accompanying Babauta and Yangetmai to the CEC office, their gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Tina Sablan, her running mate, Rep. Leila Fleming Staffler, and the party’s president, Jonathan Cabrera led the Democrats in a roadside waving activity at the Atkins Kroll intersection in San Jose.
In an interview, Babauta said she decided to seek a Senate seat because “I feel that my services are needed in the Senate.”
She is confident that “I am leaving the House in the very good hands of my colleagues,” referring to her fellow House Democrats seeking reelection.
“What you have witnessed today are my supporters, my family and my husband’s family. Truly this is a testament of my pledge and continued commitment to our people, and that is what this submission [of candidacy] is all about,” she added.
She said the CNMI Senate needs Democrats in the next Legislature because Democrats have “proven that by making incremental changes, we can better our Commonwealth for the people and the generations that follow us.”
She noted that in the 2020 midterm election and in the 2021 special election, six female Democrats were elected to the House and one to the Senate.
Babauta thanked everyone who was present on Tuesday: her family, her husband, former Rep. Franklin Babauta and his family, her other supporters, and the NMI Democrats. “I am so grateful for their continued support of my candidacy, and to all the people out there, thank you very much.”
For her part, Yangetmai said she is seeking reelection because she still wants to help the people. She said there are still many projects that she still needs to finish. She also said that the next Legislature still needs Democrats “who have done a great job and we are going to continue to do that.”
The other senatorial candidates on Saipan are two independents, Rep. Corina Magofna former Rep. Andrew Salas, and two Republicans, House Minority Leader Angel Demapan and former Rep. Janet Maratita.
The two incumbent Republican senators are Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan and Senate Vice President Justo S. Quitugua.
Senate Floor Leader Sablan is the running mate of Republican Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
Variety was told that Quitugua is not seeking re-election.
The last day to submit nominating petitions and candidacy documents is Aug. 10, 2022.
Reps. Denita Yangetmai and Celina Babauta pose for a photo with fellow Democrats after filing their candidacies at the Commonwealth Election Commission on Wednesday.
Rep. Celina R. Babauta signs an official document as she files her candidacy for Saipan senator. Also in the photo are former Gov. Carlos Camacho, right, NMI Democratic Party President Jonathan Cabrera, second right, NMI Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate Rep. Tina Sablan, third left, and Celina’s husband, former Rep. Franklin Babauta.
Rep. Denita Yangetmai fills out a form at the Commonwealth Election Commission. With her are her husband, former Yap Lt. Gov. James Yangetmai, left, NMI Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate Rep. Tina Sablan, fourth left, NMI Democratic Party President Jonathan Cabrera, third right, Precinct 3 Rep. Vicente Camacho, second right, and former Gov. Carlos S. Camacho.
