THIRTEEN Independent candidates — including one aligned with Republicans — won seats in the 20-member House of Representatives while two female candidates, one Democrat and one Independent, topped the Saipan Senate race.
U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, a Democrat seeking an eighth term, ran unopposed.
Democrat Rep. Celina R. Babauta garnered a total of 5,743 votes followed by Independent Rep. Corina Magofna with 5,200 votes to win Saipan’s two open Senate seats held by Republicans who did not seek re-election.
The Republican senatorial candidates this year were House Minority Leader Angel A. Demapan and former Rep. Janet Maratita who received 4,886 and 3,651 votes, respectively.
The other Independent senatorial candidate, Rep. Andrew Salas, garnered 2,780 votes.
On Tinian, incumbent Republican Sen. Frank Cruz led the senatorial race with a total of 932 votes followed by a fellow Republican, Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider, who received 808 votes. The Independent candidate, former Municipal Council Chairwoman Thomasa Palacios Mendiola got 421 votes.
On Rota, independent candidate Rep. Donald Manglona garnered a total of 905 votes to top the senatorial race while his Republican opponent, former Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Commissioner Dennis James Mendiola, received 748 votes to finish second. The unsuccessful candidates were Independent former Rep. Crispin Ogo who got 415 votes; Rota Republican Mayor Efraim Atalig who had 364 votes; and Independent candidate Edward C. Maratita who garnered 203 votes.
In the House race on Saipan, Democrat Rep. Edwin Propst led the six winning candidates in Precinct 1 with 2,296 votes, followed by Independent Vincent “Kobre” Aldan who received 1,800 votes. Coming in third was Independent Rep. Joseph Flores who caucuses with the Republicans.
In fourth place was Republican Rep. Roy Ada who received 1,754 votes; Democrat Diego Vincent Camacho was fifth with 1,717 votes; and former Rep. Roman Benavente finished sixth with 1,672 votes.
In Precinct 2, incumbent Independent Rep. John Paul Sablan and his running mate, Northern Marianas College Student Enrolment Services Director Manny Gregory Castro, garnering 825 and 760 votes respectively to defeat their Republican opponents, Keith Ada and Eric Esteves.
In Precinct 3, which has six House seats, Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan Attao, seeking reelection as an Independent, garnered 1,947 votes followed by Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, another Independent, with 1,945 votes.
The other winning candidates are Independent Rep. Ralph N. Yumul with 1,590 votes; Democrat Rep. Denita Yangetmai, 1,335 votes; Independent Marissa Renee Flores, 1,258; and Democrat Rep. Vincent Camacho,1,232.
In Precinct 4, which has two House seats, incumbent Rep. Joel Camacho and his running mate, Malcolm Omar, received 930 and 824 votes respectively to beat their Republican opponents, Cecilia Taitano (592 votes) and David Reyes Sablan (456 votes).
In Precinct 5, which has two House seats, Independent Angelo A. Camacho finished first with 1,156 votes followed by Republican Thomas John DLG Manglona who got 999 votes.
On Tinian, Republican Rep. Patrick San Nicolas handily defeated his Democratic opponent, Frederick Dela Cruz. San Nicolas received 736 votes while Dela Cruz got 456 votes.
On Rota, Independent Julie Marie Ogo garnered 623 votes to beat her Republican opponent, Ivan Mereb, who received 481 votes, and Independent Edward C. Barcinas who garnered 316 votes.
Thank you from AD
In the three-way gubernatorial race, the Independent tandem of Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and running mate Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang finished second behind Republican Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and running mate Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan,
Palacios-Apatang will face Torres-Sablan in a runoff election.
The lt. governor said he and the mayor are thankful to those who “went all the way for AD 2022.”
He added, “There is nothing more I can say but I will continue to thank them for all their efforts, supports and sacrifices.”
He said they will continue to work hard going into the runoff, and will reach out to the Democratic tandem of Reps. Tina Sablan and Leila Staffler who finished third in the gubernatorial race. The two have said that they will endorse Palacios-Apatang in the runoff.
Palacios said he shares the enthusiasm and confidence of all his supporters in the entire Commonwealth, but he is cautiously optimistic because he doesn’t want to lose sight of the challenges ahead.
Right now, he said, he wants to congratulate all the Senate and House candidates who won and those who didn’t.
He said he is congratulating all of them for going out in the campaign, putting their names out there and offering themselves to serve the people.
Also thankful
Republican Sen. Frank Cruz said on behalf of his wife Jade, his siblings and his campaign committee, he would like to express his appreciation to the people of Tinian for again giving him the blessing to continue representing them in the Senate. He said he will continue to work hard “for the best interest of my island and my people.”
Independent candidate Angelo A. Camacho of Precinct 5 wants to thank all those who supported him. He said, he could not have done it without their support. He vowed to work hard to fulfill his campaign promises, including the safety of the community in Precinct 5 which requires road railings and additional pedestrian lanes.
Democrat Rep. Edwin Propst of Precinct 1 said on behalf of his wife Daisy and their children, “we are most grateful for the love and support we receive from our Precinct 1 family.”
Independent Rep. Ralph Yumul said he was very happy that the people of Precinct 3 supported the independent team. He thanked all those who continue to give him a vote of confidence, including the young voters.
Former Rep. Roman C. Benavente, a Precinct 1 Independent, said, “To all the people of Precinct 1 and also those who supported and voted for me from off-island, I would like to express my great appreciation for having the confidence in me and giving me their support in this election.”
With all his heart, he said he is so grateful to the people of Precinct 1 for giving him another opportunity to represent them again in the Legislature.
Another Precinct 1 Independent, Vincent “Kobre” S. Aldan is also very grateful to those who supported him. “We could not have made it without them. There are no words I can say to show them my real appreciation,” he added.
Aldan said “we are not going to disappoint them. We are not going to disrespect and take their confidence for granted.”
Independent House candidate Vincent “Kobre” Aldan, right, wave to motorists on Beach Road in San Jose earlier this month.
Independent Precinct 5 House candidate Angelo Atalig Camacho is accompanied by family and supporters at the Kagman polling center on Tuesday.
Rep. Ralph N. Yumul participate in a road-waving activity on Beach Road in San Jose earlier this month.
