“I’m not doing this to lose,” said Inos in an interview during their kick-off rally at the Susupe Civic Center where more than a 1,000 people showed up, including supporters from Tinian and Rota.
A total of 120 tables were brought at the venue and each table could seat at least eight people.
“I am very happy with the crowd turnout,” said the governor.
Esther Fleming, the governor’s special assistant for administration who is also the acting director for the Office of Budget and Management, said the show of support for the Ben & Eloy tandem is a good indication.
Inos said he joined the governor’s ticket because they “feel the people’s suffering.”
“Four years is a very short time to accomplish anything. We will do our best…and even look at external solutions to revive our economy,” said Inos.
“We want to bring valuable tourists from markets such as Japan, China, Russia and even the U.S. We’re looking forward to the implementation of military relocation into Guam and the stimulus program,” he added.
Despite the criticisms against the Fitial administration, Inos said people should remember that it was this administration that recovered the CNMI’s cover-over taxes from the U.S. Treasury.
“We brought in close to $50 million in cover-over taxes. That is a significant amount. We want to bring back to life the CNMI economy. We want to be able to finish the job that we started,” said Inos.
The governor said the revival of the islands’ tourism-based economy remains his paramount goal.
And although he sued the U.S. government over the federalization law, Fitial said he wants to foster better relations with the Obama administration and the U.S. Congress.
John Tagabuel, a supporter of the governor, lauded Fitial’s decision to sue the federal government.
“He’s very brave to do that,” he told the Variety. “If we lose, that’s okay. At least we now know where we stand. This governor is telling us the truth that we don’t have money. Unlike the previous governor who said our economy was ‘pretty darn good’ when it’s not. All the [governor] needs to do now is finish his job.”
Another Covenant supporter, Ray Matagolai, said he will vote for Fitial “because I like the governor and four years is not enough.”
For Edwin Camacho, no matter who is the governor, people will still criticize him.
He said what matters now is the economy and he believes the governor can improve it.
“Give him another chance. Who knows?”
Food and drinks overflowed at the Covenant Party’s kick-off rally.
Officials said these came from party supporters and each precinct was asked to bring something for the gathering.
