Vicky Tudela Guerrero, 36, said she will be an independent candidate.
“Party priorities are the real reasons why the CNMI is in its present state,” she said in an interview. “Our elected leaders refrain themselves from supporting workable and realistic legislation because of party direction and conditions. By being independent, my priority is serving the people of the CNMI and not a political party that is controlled by a few.”
According to Guerrero, she is running for four reasons:
• To provide an avenue through sound and realistic legislation to help turn our island economy around from its current situation.
• To reduce government spending and to spend within our means. She said this is the only way to manage the government.
• To bring change in the attitude and behavior of government leaders, most especially lawmakers. The Legislature needs to be more responsive to the needs and concern of residents, business community and visitors, Guerrero said.
• To invest in our “resources, culture and spirit in bringing the ‘Paradise Spirit’ back to our islands. Tourism is important and making our visitors return back to paradise is important for the survival of our island and way of life.”
A staff member of the Legislative Bureau since the 14th Legislature and currently the journal clerk of the Senate, Guerrero said she has “witnessed the state of games that are played in the name of party priorities, which do not serve our people or community.”
She believes that the community “is more than ready in refocusing government efforts on those issues that matter most to our residents and visitors: Reviving our economy, sensible government, stable leadership and ‘Paradise Spirit.’ ”
Asked why the people should vote for her, she replied: “As a young and no-nonsense member of our community, I will bring to the Legislature bold ideas, new directions, realistic goals and a sense of service to our people.”
A former KMCV reporter, Guerrero served in the public information office of then-Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio. She also worked in the banking industry.
In 1993, she represented the CNMI in the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City.
Married to Joseph T. Guerrero, she is a mother of two boys and three girls and a grandmother of six.
