He made the statement yesterday after Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider announced his gubernatorial candidacy with Speaker Arnold I. Palacios as his running mate.
“I’ve decided that it’s time for me to leave the political arena,” said Apatang who was Hofschneider’s running mate in the 2005 gubernatorial election,
Apatang, who is one of the most popular lawmakers of Precinct 1, said he is supporting Hofschneider and his new running mate.
Apatang said the two senior legislators genuinely care for the people and are committed to bring about necessary changes in the commonwealth.
“This is a good team,” he said.
“Let’s support them. We need to change the future of our commonwealth, for the future of our children,” he added.
First elected to the House in 1995, he was re-elected in 1997 and 1999. In 2001, he narrowly lost his bid for a Saipan Senate seat.
He returned to the House in 2003 and won another term in 2007.
