FORMER Tinian Democratic Sen. David M. Cing says he’s thinking about running for the U.S. Congress.
In an interview yesterday, he said the CNMI’s first congressional delegate can “do a lot” for the islands — provided he has the “right” political affiliation.
“The national Democrats are expected to retain control of the U.S. Congress, and just imagine the assistance they can provide to a fellow Democrat from the CNMI,” he said. “It’s in the CNMI’s best interest to elect a Democrat for delegate. In Washington, D.C., it’s all about whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican. And whether your party’s the majority or not. That’s why I don’t think an Independent can get the level of support the CNMI needs to secure in Washington.”
A senator from 1992 to 2004, Cing said it is crucial for the CNMI Democrats to “get our act together” and reorganize.
“We must come together and fix the party, not only for the Nov. 2008 election, but also for next year’s general elections,” he said.
He said the party must be organized “CNMI-wide.”
“The party’s new leaders must come from the three main islands — Saipan, Tinian and Rota,” he added.
Like most CNMI Democrats, Cing believes that they must be affiliated with the national party.
“We’re going into that direction already,” he said. “Especially now that we’ll have a congressional delegate. We have to affiliate with the national Democrats.”
At least one other local Democrat is running for the U.S. Congress — Saipan Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo.
“I favor a primary,” Cing said. “But it should be a closed primary. We should allow Democrats to decide who their candidate should be. Win or lose I will support our party’s nominee.”
The local Democratic Party will hold a general membership meeting on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Garapan Central Park.
Besides Crisostimo and Cing, the other candidates for Congress are Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio, Rep. Ray N. Yumul, Election Commission Executive Director Gregorio C. Sablan, former Judge Juan T. Lizama, attorney Victorino DLG. Torres and local cable TV talk show host John Gonzales, the Covenant Party’s losing senatorial candidate in the 2001 elections.
