Torres, the only Precinct 3 member who voted against the override of the governor’s veto, declined to explain why he was leaving the GOP.
“I am considering running as an Independent candidate for the House for Precinct 3,” he told the Variety.
Torres was first elected to the House in 1989 and was re-elected in 1991 and in 1993, when he ran as an Independent candidate after the GOP did not include him on its ticket.
Two years after winning another term in 1995, Torres ran as an Independent candidate for one of Saipan’s two open Senate seats, but placed third.
He was again elected to the House in 1999 and 2001, but could only finish eighth in 2003.
Precinct 3 has six House seats.
He returned to the House after the 2005 election and won another term in 2007.
Before joining local politics, Torres worked as an immigration assistant for the then-Trust Territory government for six years.
For 13 years, he worked for Pan American Airlines as reservation/ticketing and marketing officer.
In 1992, Torres established the Hafa Adai International Travel Agency, or Hita, which he later sold to another local businessman.
Torres, who is known for disclosing anomalous deals in the government, said he still wants to serve the people of the commonwealth.
He admitted that his job as a lawmaker is “sometimes scary, especially if you touch sensitive issues.”
