Democrat Edwin Propst files his U.S. congressional candidacy with his family and supporters that include Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan and Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho.
THE NMI Democratic Party’s candidate for the U.S. Congress, Edwin Propst, shed tears of joy after seeing the “outpouring of support” for his candidacy.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, and Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho were among those who joined Propst when he filed his candidacy in the narrow reception room of the Commonwealth Election Commission at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
Outside the CEC, the other independent and Democratic candidates, their family members, friends and supporters also expressed support for Propst.
“I am deeply humbled, and it’s been very emotional, and I am most grateful for the overwhelming support I’ve received,” the teary-eyed House floor leader said in an interview.
For the past 10 years as a public servant, he said he has done his very best “to put our people first, with selfless interest.” In every single legislation he introduced, Propst added, “I put the people first.”
“I am emotional, too, because I don’t have my parents or my in-laws who guided me and they are no longer here. But they are here in spirit,” he said.
He said he is grateful to his aunts and uncles and the other elders who came out to support him and to be with him despite the hot weather.
Propst said he was also touched by the strong support of the governor, lt. governor, Kilili, Speaker Villagomez, Mayor RB Camacho, Sen. Celina Babauta and his other colleagues in the Legislature.
“We worked hard. We always want to ensure that we put our people first, and I will continue to do that,” he added.
“I’ve been working hard pushing everything that can build our economy, and I know we cannot do it alone. That is why I’ve worked hard in establishing a strong relationship with the Guam government, the Mariana Islands Legislature Association, and my great working relationship with Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio.”
Propst said he is running for Congress to ensure “continuity” with what Kilili has accomplished.
“That is the only reason I decided to run — the continuity to push the things that Kilili has pushed for and add a few other things as well.”
He said he has always supported Kilili in his 16 years in the U.S. Congress.
“I forever believed in him. I continue to want to champion his ideas and goals and make them part of our foundation because, ultimately, they truly helped our people and we can never ever forget the families and those who struggle the most, those who are often forgotten about. Those are the ones I will fight for as I always have, for they are the ones that matter so much. Those who need to be lifted and helped out,” Propst said.
The other candidates for Congress are Republican Kimberlyn King-Hinds, a lawyer and former Commonwealth Ports Authority board chair; freelance business consultant and grants writer John Oliver Delos Reyes Bolis Gonzales, independent; Chamorro activist Liana S. Hofschneider, independent; and Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Director Jim Rayphand, independent.
