On Rota, BOE Vice Chairman Herman Atalig ran unopposed and received 940 votes.
Based on the unofficial results announced by the Commonwealth Election Commission, Tenorio received 7,175 votes; Borja, 4,811; and Stephen C. Woodruff, 2,826.
Tenorio and Borja will succeed outgoing BOE Chairwoman Janice Tenorio and member MaryLou Ada. Both have already served two terms and can no longer seek reelection.
“My vision and goals for my time as a member of the [BOE] come from a desire to create an educational environment where our students feel heard and seen,” Tenorio said.
She added that she will make every effort to achieve these goals for the Public School System.
“I choose to live today in gratitude for all of the Lord’s blessings over the last 10 weeks. We started this campaign with one vision and [God] has led us through every step. No matter what happens today, I know it is [God’s] will,” Tenorio also said.
From left, Gregory Borja and Maisie Bermudes Tenorio.
The executive director of the Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Tenorio thanked her family, friends, campaign team, colleagues, supporters and fellow community members for their love and support.
“Whatever happens… the mission will live on,” she said.
Borja, for his part, is an educator, fitness coach, community volunteer and a staff member of the Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems Inc., which provides advocacy services for individuals with disabilities and their families.
As for Rota’s Herman Atalig, he said he “salutes all the winners of the 2020 elections,” adding that he appreciates their “sacrifices and hard work in the call of duty to continue serving our people.”
He added, “My committee and I would [also] like to express our greatest gratitude for your vote of confidence in me to continue our mission to protect and defend our educational system. Your support represents much more than the title itself; it represents a belief in the promise of equitable educational opportunities for all throughout the CNMI.”
The other voting members of the BOE are Andrew Orsini of Saipan, who was elected in 2018, and Antonio Borja of Tinian who was appointed by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres on Nov. 2 following the resignation of former BOE-Tinian member Philip Mendiola-Long.
