By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
FORMER Rep. Antonio S.N. Borja on Saturday won the Republican primary election for mayor — the first of its kind held by the Tinian Republican Party.
In the past, according to Tinian Republican Party President Ramon M. Dela Cruz, the mayoral candidate was selected during the party’s executive committee meeting. He expressed his appreciation to the people of Tinian for participating in the democratic process in the party’s first primary election.
The primary election on Tinian was held at Jones Beach Pavilion, while Tinian voters living on Saipan cast their ballots at the Minatchom Atdao Pavilion in Susupe from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Borja garnered 543 votes, while Rep. Patrick H. San Nicolas received 180.
“Thank you very much, Dangkulu Si Yuus Maase, to all the people of Tinian for their vote and confidence,” Borja said in an interview. He said he now looks forward to the general election in November and is asking for voters’ continued support and confidence to be their next mayor.
In a separate interview, Tinian Republican Party Vice President Matthew Masga, who oversaw the primary election on Saipan, said the process went smoothly. A total of 112 Tinian voters living on Saipan cast their ballots at Minatchom Atdao, he said.
Joining the Tinian Republican Party election volunteers throughout the day were former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres; his running mate in the gubernatorial race, Kagman High School Principal Ben Jones Jr.; former Sen. Vinnie Sablan; former Rep. Marco Peter; Rep. Roy Ada; and former Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Chris Tenorio, who chairs the NMI Republican Party’s Precinct 1.
Masga said that out of 908 registered Tinian Republicans, more than 700 voted, representing an 80% turnout.
At both Minatchom Atdao on Saipan and Jones Beach on Tinian, he said, “everything went well. No incidents or complications occurred during the election.”
Masga also thanked the GOP central committee members who supported the primary election, as well as those who donated water and ice. He also expressed appreciation to former Gov. Torres, Jones Jr., Marco Peter, Vinnie Sablan, and Rep. Ada for their presence at the polling sites.
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.
