The two will announce their intention to seek the Republican nomination today at Hofschneider’s campaign headquarters on As Lito Road.
Former Gov. Juan N. Babauta and running mate Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero are also seeking the GOP nomination.
Hofschneider’s running mate in the 2005 elections, Rep. David M. Apatang, is retiring from politics but will support the Heinz-Arnold ticket, Variety was told.
Hofschneider was first elected as Precinct 3’s House member in 1991 and was re-elected in 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001.
In 2002, he became speaker of the House.
Three years later he sought the GOP gubernatorial nomination, but the party leadership, for the first time in CNMI history, decided not to hold a primary.
Hofchneider and Apatang ran as Independents. They won on Saipan, but lost to the Fitial-Villagomez ticket by 84 votes.
A former Division of Fish and Wildlife director, Palacios was first elected to the House in 2001.
He was re-elected in 2003, 2005 and 2007 and became speaker in 2008.
