Front row, from left, Rep. TJ Manglona, Edward Deleon Guerrero, Ray Basa, Candace Celis, Diego Benavente, Vivian Nogis, Irene Holl, Leepan Guerrero, and Rep. Roy Ada. Back row, from left, Sen. Dennis Mendiola of Rota and Sen. Jude Hofschneider of Tinian.
(NMI GOP) — With close to 200 members present, the CNMI Republican Party held its general membership meeting recently at the Garapan Central Park to elect its officers.
Elected as president, is former Lt. Gov. Diego Tenorio Benavente, who also served eight terms in the CNMI House of Representatives, and three consecutive terms speaker.
Benavente highlighted the participation of the Tinian and Rota Republican Party members.
He stated, “This is the first time that we held the membership meeting simultaneously for all three islands. This is a party of inclusion, and we welcome everyone to join. Together, we can help lead the CNMI to provide the best education for our children, adequate healthcare, funding for public safety, and other vital concerns that we all share.”
Members present also elected Candace Celis and former Rep. Joseph Leepan Guerrero as first and second vice presidents.
Celis, the party’s former president, said, “I am excited and look forward to working with everyone!” She added, “I would also like to thank the previous board. It was an honor to have worked alongside them, especially Pat Rasa and Shayne Villanueva. Si Yu’us Ma’ase!”
Vivan Nogis and Ray Basa were re-elected as the party’s secretary and treasurer while Edward Deleon Guerrero and Irene Holl were elected as CNMI national committeeman and committeewoman.
