GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres on Friday expressed support for a fellow Republican, Rep. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero, who is running for Saipan mayor, saying: “I’ll be there for you every step of the way.”
Republican Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, also joined Leepan, his family and other supporters at a fundraising event at the Civic Center on Friday evening.
Also attending the fundraiser were Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan Attao, Senate Floor Leader Vinnie Sablan, House Floor Leader Ralph Yumul, other House Republicans and executive branch officials.
Leepan’s campaign chairman, former Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, said he didn’t think twice and said yes when offered the job by his cousin.
“He is the kind of candidate that I would love to support especially for mayor of Saipan,” Benavente said, adding that Leepan, who is now serving his fourth term in the House of Representatives, is one of the islands’ most dedicated public servants.
“You see him working all the time, not just in the House of Representatives but in the precinct that he represents and in the entire Commonwealth,” Benavente said.
Leepan’s goal as a public official is “to serve and represent the people of the Commonwealth in the House of Representatives.”
Benavente said it is going to be very hard to follow in the footsteps of Mayor Apatang “because I know, there is no doubt, that he is one of our best mayors ever.”
“But I believe that if anyone is going to follow and continue to do the good things that Mayor Apatang has done, Leepan is going to be able to do that,” Benavente added.
“We are going to continue to work hard to win and I am asking every one of you to please continue your support and give Leepan the vote of confidence in the coming elections,” he said.
Before he delivered his remarks, Leepan asked for a moment of silence to honor the late Rep. Ivan A. Blanco who passed away on July 23, 2021.
Leepan thanked everyone in attendance, and recognized the presence of the governor and the mayor, among the guests.
Leepan said, it may be too early to hold a fundraiser, but “I already started the train rolling.”
“I always start early because it is an opportunity for me to see if I am the right candidate and rest assured, there would be no changes. Mayor Apatang asked me, what is your plan? I said, the plan is your plan. What you’re doing is great, but I will do 110% more of it.”
Besides Leepan, Board of Parole Chairman Ramon B. Camacho and Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality Administrator Eliceo Diaz Cabrera have also announced their mayoral candidacies.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres speaks in support of Rep. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero’s mayoral candidacy during a fundraising event at the Civic Center on Friday evening.
