HARRY James Atalig Masga, the liaison officer of U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, is running for Rota mayor.
He filed his independent candidacy at 1:30 p.m. on Monday at the Commonwealth Election Commission, accompanied by his campaign chairman David Santos and supporters Pat Songsong, Bobby Sablan and Thomas Manglona.
Masga, who served CNMI Immigration for 19 years, said he is running for mayor to give the people of Rota an opportunity to experience “a new beginning and a sense of hope” and regain “what is owed and what belongs to them.”
The 58-year-old candidate said since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the CNMI over two years ago, the Rota community has been “suffering,” especially because of the “exorbitant” prices of basic commodities.
“We need to find ways to bring the prices down if possible,” he said.
Masga vowed to work collaboratively with other elected officials “to see what we can do to our community in terms of bringing assistance and benefits to our community members and eliminate their hardships.”
Aside from Masga, the other independent Rota mayoral candidates are Sen. Teresita Santos, Magdalena Mesngon and Alfredo Taimanao.
The NMI Republican Party’s candidate is Commonwealth Economic Development Authority Chairwoman Aubrey Hocog.
Harry James Atalig Masga, second right, turns in his candidacy documents to a Commonwealth Election Commission staff member on Monday. With him are his campaign chairman David Santos, left, sister Pat Songsong, right, and another supporter Bobby Sablan, back row.
