Nola Hix
THE Association of State Democratic Committees has appointed NMI Democrat Nola Kileleman Hix as the regional director for the U.S. Territories and Democrats Abroad, the Democratic Party of the NMI announced on Sunday.
The NMI Democrats described the committee’s hiring of Hix as “a bold and historic move.”
Following her appointment, leaders of Democratic parties in the U.S. territories praised Hix, who played a crucial role in reorganizing and strengthening the Democratic Party in the CNMI many years ago.
The Democrats in the U.S. territories will continue meeting with their respective regions — the Western and Eastern Caucuses of the ASDC-DNC — the NMI Democrats said, but they emphasized that the creation of the position now held by Hix signals the importance of the territories to the ASDC and the DNC and bolsters the partnership between the Democratic parties in the territories and their counterparts in the 50 states.
“As the territories begin to utilize tools and programs that have heretofore been unavailable to them, they will rely on their very own regional director for guidance, collaboration, and training,” the NMI Democratic Party added.
A member of the Democratic National Committee since 2016, Hix served as the executive director of the NMI Democratic Party for three years. She chaired the party from 2018 to 2022, becoming the first woman to do so in the party’s history.
Hix worked with party officials and supporters to rebuild the local party and was instrumental in the election of nine Democrats across the CNMI House and Senate in 2020, creating a majority composed of Democrats and Independents in both chambers. In 2024, Hix helped ensure that the NMI Democratic Party registered with and received official recognition from the Federal Election Commission as a state political party committee.
“Her leadership resulted in the first Democratic Party in any territory to achieve FEC recognition. Hix’s private-sector experience and volunteer work across various community organizations have earned her manifold accolades and the respect of friends and colleagues across the islands,” the party said.
That the ASDC created a new regional caucus and hired someone from within that region, the party said, speaks to the growing importance of the territories to the ASDC and the DNC. This is a full-circle moment for Hix, who founded the DNC’s U.S. Territories Alliance in 2019 while serving as chair of the NMI Democratic Party.
The NMI Democrats said they wish Hix the very best in her new role and look forward to working with her in the months and years ahead as the party rebuilds, recruits candidates, coordinates with federal partners, and prepares for the upcoming elections.
Reactions from U.S. territories’ Democratic leaders
Democratic leaders from U.S. territories welcomed the newly created position and issued statements congratulating Hix on her appointment.
“The American Samoa Democratic Party joins the U.S. Territories Alliance in congratulating Nola Kileleman Hix as the first-ever Regional Director of the Territories and Democrats Abroad. Her leadership in organizing and being a voice for the territories precedes this appointment, and we are confident that she will bring increased visibility and action-oriented solutions to the challenges and opportunities in our respective communities,” said Patrick Ti’a Reid, chair of the American Samoa Democratic Party.
The Democratic Party of Guam expressed excitement in the recent creation of a new position within the Association of State Democratic Committees, deeming it “a crucial step toward ensuring our distinct voices and vital needs are heard.”
“Nola’s appointment is not only a noteworthy achievement but also a testament to a broader national acknowledgment of our territories. This recognition is further exemplified by the appointments of Guam Vice Chair Rikki Orsini to the Project 2028 Committee, Guam Executive Director Stephanie Flores to the Training Committee, American Samoa Chair Patrick Reid to the Credentials Committee, and Puerto Rico Chair Luis Dávila Pernas to the Rules Committee.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to DNC Chair Ken Martin and ASDC President Jane Kleeb for their commitment to advancing the critical importance of territorial representation,” the Democratic Party of Guam stated.
Luis Dávila Pernas, chair of the Democratic Party of Puerto Rico, said: “On behalf of the Democratic Party of Puerto Rico, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Nola Hix on her appointment as the new Regional Director of the Territories and Democrats Abroad for ASDC.
“Her proven leadership and dedication to democratic values make her an exceptional choice to represent and unify our diverse communities across the territories and abroad.
“We look forward to collaborating with her to strengthen our party’s presence and ensure that every voice is heard and valued.”
Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands Chair Carol Burke hailed the creation of the regional director position for the territories and Democrats abroad as proof that the ASDC and DNC leadership is “committed to restructuring our organization to better address our needs.”
“The selection of Nola Hix to serve in this capacity is equally fitting and timely, and the U.S. Virgin Islands supports the assignment and is prepared to move forward alongside her,” Burke added.
NMI Democratic Party Chair Annie Pickelsimer said: “Though we are losing our executive director, we are gaining so much more. Nola brings to her new role an energy for change and innovation that is unmatched, and a deep respect not only for the values of the Democratic Party but also for the values of our Refaluwasch and Chamorro communities of which she is a part.
“The gifts and talents she shared with the NMI Democratic Party she will now share with the ASDC and the DNC. We are confident she will be a fierce advocate for the CNMI and our territorial and Democrats Abroad counterparts in all she does in her new role.”
