(MV) — The announcement that Gov. Arnold I. Palacios has joined the Republican Party “has frustrated and deeply discouraged many members” of the local GOP, according to its president, former Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb.
In a Jan. 3, 2025 letter to Michael Whatley, chair of the Republican National Committee, Tebuteb said he is “compelled to express” his “serious concerns” about the RNC’s Dec. 23, 2024 press release announcing Palacios’ decision to join the GOP.
Tebuteb, who also chairs the Commonwealth Ports Authority’s board of directors, said Palacios “has a troubling history that stands in stark contrast to the core values of the Republican Party. During his tenure as CNMI Lt. Governor from 2018 to 2022, he abandoned our party to run as an independent candidate, actively undermining Republican interests. Furthermore, his signing of a Unity Pledge with losing Democratic candidates directly contributed to the defeat of our Republican gubernatorial candidates in the 2022 elections.”
Tebuteb also noted Palacios’ recent financial donation of $2,250 to the Democrat candidate for delegate in the 2024 election and public statements regarding the retention of Democrats in his cabinet. These “further illustrate his lack of genuine commitment to our party’s principles,” Tebuteb said.
He said such actions “not only violate our state party bylaws but also contradict the rules upheld by the Republican National Committee, demonstrating a profound betrayal of our party and its dedicated members.”
Tebuteb added, “It is crucial to emphasize that the CNMI Republican Party committee man and committee woman, along with the party’s acting chair, were never notified or consulted about [the RNC] press release prior to its release. This lack of engagement with local leadership reflects a concerning level of disregard for our members’ voices and concerns. When national announcements fail to consider the sentiments of state party officials, it severely damages our collective morale and can lead to a significant loss in membership.”
Tebuteb said: “To address these pressing issues, the Party officers are holding a general membership meeting on January 16, 2025. This meeting will provide our members the opportunity to voice their support or objections regarding whether Governor Palacios should be permitted to rejoin the Party. It is imperative that we prioritize the voices of our members and ensure we uphold the integrity of our organization.”
Tebuteb thanked the RNC chair for his “attention to this matter and … continued leadership. I look forward to discussing how we can work together to bolster our party’s values and restore the confidence of our members moving forward.”
Variety was unable to get a comment from the governor.
