By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE NMI Republican Party is likely to hold a primary election for its gubernatorial candidate in the 2026 elections, party Chairman Patrick M. Cepeda said Saturday.
In a WhatsApp interview, Cepeda confirmed that former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres submitted his letter of intent to the party’s board of directors to run for governor under the Republican Party. Last month, former Senate Floor Leader Vinnie Vinson Sablan sent Cepeda a letter seeking the party’s endorsement for his gubernatorial bid.
Cepeda said no running mates have yet been identified for either Torres or Sablan. Lt. Gov. Dennis James Mendiola, a Republican, has been named a potential candidate for lieutenant governor, although he has yet to submit his own letter of intent to the party board.
Torres and Sablan previously ran together in a three-way race against the independent tandem of then-Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and then-Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, as well as Democratic candidates former Rep. Tina Sablan and Rep. Leila Fleming Staffler. Torres and Vinnie Sablan lost to Palacios and Apatang in a runoff election after the Democrats rallied behind the independent team.
In his letter of intent last week, Torres, who served as governor from Dec. 29, 2015 to Jan. 9, 2023, said his decision to run again “comes after deep reflection and sincere consultation with those closest to me.” He added that his wife and children have given him their full support and blessing to pursue this responsibility.
He also said he has been encouraged by “an overwhelming number of youths, sports teams, fishermen, teachers and educators, retirees, families, friends, supporters, and members of the business community who have urged me to run for office. Their faith in my leadership and their desire for meaningful change have played a significant role in my decision.”
The former governor added, “Our people, our businesses, and our government are suffering through one of the worst, if not the worst, economic downturns in recent CNMI history.”
Torres said the daily challenges that CNMI families face are real and painful. “Our once-thriving economy under my leadership has weakened to the point where even our Government Health/Life Insurance for over 7,000 government employees and retirees is at risk. Retirees have received letters stating that 25% of their pension will not be paid. This is not the future our children, government employees, and retirees deserve,” he said.
He added that he is running because he knows “what must be done to restore our economy. I know who to meet with, where to go, and how to secure the support we need, from improving tourism and restoring airline services to strengthening our relationship with the United States Government and obtaining the necessary assistance. I have done this work before, and I stand ready to do it again.”
Torres also said, “It breaks my heart to sit back and do nothing while I watch our people and our government struggle. I cannot, in good conscience, stand on the sidelines when I know I have the experience, relationships, and determination to help lift our Commonwealth out of this crisis. I am able, ready, and willing to serve my people one last time. I have been a loyal Republican since the beginning of my political career, and I will continue to stand firmly with the Republican Party as I seek its nomination for governor.”
Rep. Blas Jonathan Attao and Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez have previously announced their candidacies as independent candidates for governor and lieutenant governor.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
