Now that the election is over, Sablan said “it’s back to work and we have lots to do for the people of the commonwealth.”
He said things will be tough in Washington, D.C. with the Republicans taking over the U.S. House leadership in January, “but we will continue to work hard to maintain the goodwill and friendship I have built in the nation’s capital over the past two years and we will try to ensure that the commonwealth gets its share of federal assistance.”
Some of the newly elected U.S. House Republicans promised to oppose pork-barrel deals and earmarks and reverse the growth of federal spending.
Although he would like to take a couple of days of rest, Sablan, who votes with the Democratic caucus, said he needs to be back in Washington, D.C. in the middle of this month “to work for the people of our islands.”
Early voting
Sablan, a former election commission executive director, admitted that the early voting period worried him.
He said he knew there was something wrong going on and this became his and his camp’s concern.
Sablan disclosed that the attacks of the ruling party “hurt” — especially because they were not true.
Even his family, including his mother, got hurt by the negative attacks against him, he said.
But in the end, he said, he was glad that despite the “intimidation, misinformation and lots of money going around, the people shrugged away their fear, shunned offers and voted for their real choice.”
Sablan said that was the best part of this election.
He said he is very humbled by the result and now that the election is over, it’s time to move on.
“As always, my priority is to work for the people,” he added.
Concede
The Republican candidate, former Gov. Juan N. Babauta, and the Democratic Party’s Jesse C. Borja, a former lt. governor, have conceded.
Babauta said “the people have spoken.”
In an interview on Wednesday, Babauta, who finished third in the four-way race, said Sablan received a “resounding” mandate from the CNMI people.
Babauta extends his congratulation to Sablan and wishes him all the best.
The former governor also expressed his personal appreciation for the NMI Republican Party and all his supporters, especially those who helped him throughout the campaign.
He said he will be “forever indebted” to his supporters.
For his part, Borja said the people clearly wanted to reelect Sablan.
He congratulated Sablan and wished him the best in his next two years in the U.S. Congress.
Borja, who finished fourth, also thanked those who voted for him and urged all the people of the CNMI to start working together and support the reelected delegate.
“It’s going to be challenging for anybody elected due to the new make-up of the U.S. Congress,” Borja said.
This reporter was unable to get a comment from Sablan’s closest rival, former Rep. Joseph N. Camacho of the ruling Covenant Party.
