“I want to take another challenge and I will do everything to get things done for Saipan,” said Benavente when asked why he wanted to run for mayor as an independent candidate.
Benavente lost his re-election bid in the BOE in 2007 but he said this has not discouraged him.
He believes that his years as one of the policy-makers for the Public School System prepared him to take on greater tasks for the local community.
“I want to help our community and will do my best to improve our situation,” he said.
Benavente began his public office career in 1999 when he was first elected to BOE.
Previously, he served as an official for the PTA of San Vicente Elementary School for six years.
Benavente has five children and his wife owns and operates an early childhood private school.
When he became a BOE member, Benavente said PSS was observing a “multi-track system” to accommodate all students enrolled in public schools despite their limited facilities.
“Our schools were overcrowded then. Schools were open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,” said Benavente and added, “I think our biggest accomplishment then was the successful building of five new schools.”
Before his election as chairman of the board, Benavente chaired its capital improvement projects committee.
BOE, with the CIP committee, negotiated with the federal government to build five new schools — Kagman Elementary School, Kagman High School, Chacha Oceanview Junior High School, Saipan Southern High School and Dandan Elementary School.
“That was our biggest accomplishment,” he said.
If he’s elected as Saipan mayor, Benavente said one of his priorities is to tap block grants to pave roads around the island.
Former Agriculture Directors Donald T. Flores, John C. Reyes, former teacher Joe Sanchez, former Corrections Commissioner Lino Tenorio, former Senate President Juan S. Demapan, former Reps. Candy B. Taman and Tony Camacho are the other individuals who have expressed interest in the Saipan mayoral race.
The incumbent, Juan B. Tudela, has also served two terms and is already constitutionally barred from seeking re-election.
