Covenant Party President Gregorio M. Camacho said they will “strategize” the formation of a “strong team” for the elections next year.
During the party’s meeting at the Minatchom Atdao in Susupe, the members reelected Camacho as president, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Melvin Faisao as vice president, Marianne Seman as secretary and Emma Villagomez as treasurer.
Camacho said they are very much aware that the CNMI’s next major political event is one year away.
“That is exactly why I emphasized today that we have to call another membership meeting soon and form the subcommittees so that we can start planning for the elections,” he said.
Camacho said they have “lots of potential candidates” for congressional delegate and there will be a selection process to determine who the nominee will be.
The party will soon accept letters of intent from those who want to run on the Covenant slate next year.
He said they traditionally respect the members with regard to their desire to run for office.
Besides the delegate seat, at stake next year are the seats of Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, Luis P. Crisostimo, Ind.-Saipan, Henry H. San Nicholas, Covenant-Tinian, and 20 House seats.
The three senators are aligned with the ruling party.
Of the 20 House members, seven are with the Covenant Party, nine are Republicans and four are Independents.
The ruling party, however, dominates the House through its alliance with two Republicans and three Independents.
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, the party’s titular head, said they need to continue finding “good energetic” individuals willing to serve the public.
“We’d like to fill all the slots,” he said, adding that prospective candidates will be screened by a committee.
Still going strong
Camacho said the Covenant Party is still strong despite Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s “return” to the Republican Party.
It was Fitial, a former long-time GOP chairman, who founded the Covenant Party 10 years ago.
Camacho said he could not tell whether Fitial’s departure is good or bad for the ruling party. All he could say was “we are still strong.”
Besides, he added, “I still consider him to be with the Covenant Party.”
Camacho said he considers Inos as their next standard bearer.
“But I need to talk to him first about it,” he added.
Fitial can no longer seek another term in the 2014 gubernatorial election.
Inos said he is glad the officers continue to serve the party. “We are truly grateful for them for volunteering their services,” he added.
Inos said there will be meetings in the precinct level to reorganize the precinct clubs and start the process of selecting the potential candidates for the 2012 elections.
