THE Fitial administration is not endorsing any of the candidates vying for the CNMI’s congressional delegate seat.
Press Secretary Charles Reyes Jr. said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial will let the voters decide who will best represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“The governor has not endorsed any candidate for delegate. We respect the democratic process and the will of the people in deciding on the most qualified candidate to represent the CNMI,” Reyes told Variety.
“We hope that the elected delegate will have a firm grasp of our economic issues and will serve as a zealous advocate for the CNMI’s economic interests,” he added.
So far, at least eight have expressed their interest to run for Congress: Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio; Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo, Rep. Ray N. Yumul, Department of Public Lands mining division chief and TV host John Oliver Gonzales, attorney Victorino DLG. Torres, retired Superior Court Judge Juan T. Lizama, and Commonwealth Election Commission Executive Director Gregorio C. Sablan.
Fitial’s long-time friend and confidante, Finance Secretary Eloy Inos, abandoned his plans to join the race saying “it’s too crowded.”
Reyes said he did not mean to imply any form of endorsement for Lizama as a delegate candidate when he said that the former judge was hard to replace.
“Your headline last week may have implied that former Judge Lizama was hard to replace because of his exceptional legal abilities. Please note that I did not intend to communicate any form of endorsement for Lizama as a judge or delegate candidate,” Reyes said.
The governor has yet to appoint Lizama’s replacement who must be confirmed by the Senate.
Reyes earlier said that person should come from the local community.
“I regret that my earlier comments may have been misunderstood,” he said. “I do not speak for the Senate and I freely concede that not all senators may prefer to confirm an indigenous attorney. Each senator is different and each senator may have selection criteria that differ from those of the other members. We continue to respect the Senate and seek their cooperation for the benefit of the CNMI.”
