Surangel Whipps Jr.
KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s nominating petition for re-election was filed Monday, Aug. 5, at the Palau Election Commission.
Whipps was off-island, and his petition was filed by his family and supporters on his behalf.
“In signing the petition, we vow our strong support and belief in our President Surangel Whipps Jr. to continue to lead our country for another four years so that security and prosperity for all our people, their families, and their children are secured,” said the co-chairman of the A Kot a Rechad er Belau Committee to re-elect President SWJ, Kione Isechal.
Given that there are only two candidates in the presidential race, there will be no primary election. Voters will select a president in the general election scheduled for Nov. 5.
This election will be the second time Palauan voters will choose between Whipps and former President Tommy Remengesau Jr., who was elected president in 2000, 2004, 2012 and 2016.
According to the Palau Constitution, “A person may not serve as President for more than two consecutive terms.”
In the 2016 election, Remengesau narrowly won, receiving 5,129 votes while his brother-in-law, Whipps, garnered 4,865 votes.
As this year’s election day nears, Whipps, Remengesau and their supporters are actively campaigning in Palau and abroad.
Legislative candidates
Twenty-six candidates are running for the Senate, and 35 for the House of Delegates.
According to the Palau Election Commission, all 13 incumbent senators are seeking re-election, with 13 new candidates running against them. Most candidates submitted their nomination petitions within the last few days.
The new Senate candidates include Ann Singeo, Dilmei Olkeriil, Ismael Remoket, Sandra Pierantozzi, Moses Uludong, Joann Risong Tarkong, Jeff Ngirarsaol, Blodak Quichocho, Seigfried Nakamura, Brian Melairei, Ann Pedro, and Lee Otobed.
In the race for the House of Delegates, which has 16 seats, Vicky N. Kanai of Airai is the only incumbent not seeking re-election. The rest of the incumbents are running again.
Several states have multiple delegate candidates. Airai has five candidates, Ngiwal has four, and Ngardmau and Ngatpang each have three. The other states have two candidates each, except for Aimeliik, Ngarchelong, Sonsorol, and Hatohobei, where the incumbent delegates are running unopposed.
If the re-apportionment committee’s decision remains unchanged over the next two months, voters will elect 15 senators and 16 delegates
