2024 Northern Mariana Islands general election

2024 Northern Mariana Islands general election
5 November 2024
Delegate election
5 November 2024
 
Nominee Kimberlyn King-Hinds Ed Propst
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 4,931 4,067
Percentage 40.34% 33.27%
 
Nominee John "Bolis" Gonzales James Michael Rayphand
Party Independent Independent
Popular vote 2,282 665
Percentage 18.67% 5.44%
Delegate before election

Gregorio Sablan
Independent

 Elected Delegate

Kimberlyn King-Hinds
Republican

Senate election
3 of the 9 seats in the Senate
5 seats needed for a majority
Party Vote % Seats +/–
Democratic 43.56 1 0
Republican 6.75 1 0
Independents 49.69 1 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
House election
All 20 seats in the House of Representatives
11 seats needed for a majority
Party Vote % Seats +/–
Republican 12.45 2 −1
Democratic 11.78 2 −2
Independents 75.78 16 +3
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

The 2024 Northern Mariana Islands general election was held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024,[1] corresponding with the 2024 United States general elections. Voters in the Northern Mariana Islands chose the non-voting delegate to the United States House of Representatives, 3 seats in the Northern Mariana Islands Senate, all twenty seats in the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives, seats for the municipal council, and seats for the board of education.

Background

On the economic front, the Northern Mariana Islands faces many problems that were present in the 2022 general election. The territory is still attempting to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath caused a complete collapse of the local tourism industry, creating a massive economic burden on the territory. Airlines have sent mixed signals on tourism recovery. Asiana Airlines suspended its flights and switched to a charter schedule until June 2024, citing low demand and the Commonwealth Ports Authority (CPA) adoption of a 90 percent hike in landing fees and a 79 percent increase in terminal rental fees back in September 2023.[2][3] Jeju airlines also expressed concerned about the airport landing fees.[4] Pressure from airlines was enough to convince the CPA to lower airport fees, announced on May 10, 2024.[4] Despite this, on June 7, 2024, Asiana Airlines announced the closure of its CNMI operations by the end of June.[5] However, United Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines show positive attitudes towards economic recovery. Dan Weiss, United Airlines managing director for Global Government and Regulatory Affairs, stated that United is pleased with the performance of their “relatively new” Saipan-Tokyo Narita service.[6] After suspending its flights from Hong Kong to Saipan in 2019, Hong Kong Airlines announced that it would reintroduce its exclusive direct route to Saipan.[7] Despite confidence from Hong Kong Airlines, the worsening relations between the United States and China signals that Chinese and Hong Kong tourists, once a cornerstone of the local tourism industry, will likely not return to the levels seen before the COVID-19 Pandemic.[8] Less tourists from China will likely negatively impact the economy because, as Marianas Visitors Authority board chair Gloria Cavanagh points out, based on numbers the MVA has collected, Chinese tourists coming into the CNMI outspend their Korean counterparts by multiple times.[9] However, it appears that Chinese tourists, despite tensions with the United States, as well as Japanese and Korean tourists, despite their ongoing economic woes with a weaker Yen and Won compared to the Dollar, continue to come to the CNMI as the number of tourists have increased in January,[10] February,[11] and March[12] of 2024 compared to the same months in 2023, though still below pre-pandemic levels.[10][11][12] The stronger Dollar and weaker Yen and Won will still pose issues for the CNMI as competition from countries in East and Southeast Asia become more attractive to Korean and Japanese tourists.[13]

On April 29, 2024, Hyatt Regency Saipan announced that it was ceasing operations in the CNMI starting June 30, the same time as Asiana Airlines will end its services.[14] The news shocked and concerned the CNMI, with Governor Arnold Palacios stating that he and his administration were not notified before the announcement.[15] The halting of operation by both Hyatt Regency and Asiana Airlines signals that the CNMI economy is still struggling heavily, and there are now heightened concerns of other companies pulling the plug on the CNMI.

The declining population has led to lower tax revenue and worse social services and economic conditions, leading to more people leaving and creating a cycle that is difficult to break and is placing pressure on the local government, especially on the incumbents.[16]

A defining aspect of Governor Arnold Palacios' Administration is austerity.[17][18] On April 24, 2023, the Palacios Administration placed some executive branch employees on a 72-hour work schedule, reduced from 80 hours.[17] On October 4, 2023, Palacios reduced the work schedule to 70 hours.[19] Governor Palacios and his administration, through Directive 2024–1, also continued "Austerity Monday," which began in October 2020 when his predecessor, former Governor Ralph Torres, implemented it.[20][21] Austerity Monday calls for the government to be closed every Monday following a payday or on a Tuesday if that Monday happens to be a holiday.[21] The Commonwealth Ports Authority board also adopted an eight-hour cut for all CPA employees and suspended its airline incentive program.[2][3] Palacios and his coalition government implemented these measures to address fiscal issues[22][18] but have placed significant strain on the local economy and could pose an issue to the current governing coalition of Independents and Democrats.

The mixed recovery, coupled with the strong push for austerity by the Palacios Administration, has created discontent among local small businesses, many of whom have voiced that the government could be doing more to support the local economy and its fledgling and crippled businesses.[23][24][25] The economic situation has created a scenario where locals, especially government officials and small businesses, watch for any docking cruise ship whose passengers disembark to spend and help prop up the local economy.[23][26][27]

Since the 2022 general election, the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives has comprised mainly independents, with thirteen seats compared to the three held by the Republicans and the four held by the Democrats.[28][29] The Northern Mariana Islands Senate has Independents as the second largest bloc with three seats, behind the Republicans, who hold four seats, but ahead of the Democrats, who hold two seats.[30][31] This is a rarity in the United States, where the Democrats and Republicans rarely ever face a unified independent bloc or viable third parties, and places the Northern Mariana Islands, which has a recent record of successful third parties and independent majorities,[32][33][34] in a unique politician position.

The CNMI is also witnessing a healthcare system that is inadequate to meet the needs of the territory, with many taking trips to neighboring Guam to obtain the services they need.[35]

Candidates

On January 18, 2024, Delegate Gregorio Sablan, a Democrat, announced that he will not be seeking reelection[36] and endorsed fellow Democrat and current majority leader of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives, Ed Propst.[37] Sablan, first elected in 2008, had held the seat since its creation in 2009. The CNMI Democratic Party endorsed Ed Propst.[38] The CNMI Republican Party endorsed Kimberlyn King-Hinds, former chair of the Commonwealth Ports Authority Board of Directors, as their candidate after John "Bolis" Gonzales, business consultant and independent candidate for U.S. House in 2008, withdrew from the primary, citing the primary being only for party members as his reason, and announced that he will be running as an independent.[39][31] Liana M.S. Hofschneider, Matua Council for Native Chamorro Advancement president, announced her bid for bid and will be running as an independent, but self declared as a "nonpartisan candidate."[40][41] The Northern Mariana Islands' non-voting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives are elected for a two-year term.

Results

Delegate

2024 United States House of Representatives election in Northern Mariana Islands[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kimberlyn Kay King-Hinds 4,931 40.34%
Democratic Edwin Kenneth Propst 4,067 33.27%
Independent John Oliver Delos Reyes Gonzales 2,282 18.67%
Independent James Michael Rayphand 665 5.44%
Independent Liana Sablan Hofschneider 280 2.29%
Total votes 12,225 100.0%
Republican gain from Democratic

Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature

Results summary

Parties Senate election results Seat change Party strength Votes Votes Percentage
2022 2024[a] 2024 +/−
  Independent 3 4 Increase 3 1 Decrease 33.33% 5,907 49.69%
  Republican 4 4 (Steady) 4 (Steady) 44.44% 803 6.75%
  Democratic 2 1 (Decrease) 2 1 Increase 22.22% 5,178 43.56%
Totals 9 9 9 Steady 100.00% 11,888 100.00%
Parties House election results Seat change Party strength Votes Votes Percentage
2022 2024 +/−
  Republican 3 2 1 Decrease 10.00% 4,473 12.45%
  Independent 13 16 3 Increase 80.00% 27,226 75.78%
  Democratic 4 2 2 Decrease 22.22% 4,231 11.78%
Totals 20 20 Steady 100.00% 35,930 100.00%


Senate

The Northern Mariana Islands Senate is the upper house of the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature, consisting of nine senators representing three senatorial districts (Saipan & the Northern Islands, Tinian & Aguijan, and Rota), each a Multi-member district with three senators. The governing Democrat-Independent coalition is entering the 2024 election cycle with five of nine seats, a majority over the four seats controlled by the Republicans.[30][29] Three of the nine seats of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate will be up for reelection.

By district

Rota 1st Senatorial District (1 seat)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Ronnie Mendiola Calvo 676 52.24%
Independent Paul Atalig Manglona (incumbent) 618 47.76%
Total votes 1,294 100.00%
Independent hold
Tinian 2nd Senatorial District (1 seat)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Karl Rosario King-Nabors (incumbent) 803 100.00%
Total votes 803 100.%
Republican hold
Saipan 3rd Senatorial District (1 seat)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Manny Gregory Castro 5,178 52.89%
Independent Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero (incumbent) 4,210 43.00%
Independent Luis Masga Sablan 403 4.12%
Total votes 9,791 100.%
Democratic gain from Independent

House of Representatives

The Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives is the lower house of the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature. The house has seven districts and five of the seven are Multi-member districts. The governing Democrat-Independent coalition is entering the 2024 election cycle with sixteen of twenty seats, an overwhelming majority over the minority bloc of three Republicans and one independent.[28][29] All twenty seats were up for the 2024 elections.

By district

House of Representative - District 1: Saipan (6 seats)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Diego Vincent Fejeran Camacho (incumbent) 1,834 11.94%
Independent Raymond Ulloa Palacios 1,817 11.83%
Independent Joseph Arriola Flores (incumbent) 1,660 10.80%
Independent Roman Cepeda Benavente (incumbent) 1,613 10.50%
Republican Roy Christopher Aldan Ada (incumbent) 1,591 10.36%
Independent Vincent Raymond Seman Aldan (incumbent) 1,549 10.08%
Independent Janet Ulloa Maratita 1,529 9.95%
Independent Yvette Reyes Sablan 1,339 8.72%
Republican Benusto Piteg 1,046 6.81%
Independent Carmen Patricia Deleon Guerrero 925 6.02%
Independent Edwin Raymond Borja Quitugua 461 3.00%
Total votes 15,364 100.00%
House of Representative - District 2: Saipan (2 seats)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent John Paul Palacios Sablan (incumbent) 700 41.89%
Independent Daniel Jr. Iwashita Aquino 559 33.45%
Independent Diego Manglona Sablan 412 24.66%
Total votes 1,671 100.00%
House of Representative - District 3: Saipan (6 seats)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Blas Jonathan "BJ" Tenorio Attao (incumbent) 1,869 16.30%
Independent Edmund Joseph Sablan Villagomez (incumbent) 1,865 16.27%
Independent Elias Jerome Malite Rangamar 1,511 13.18%
Independent Ralph Naraja Yumul (incumbent) 1,466 12.79%
Independent Marissa Renee Flores (incumbent) 1,420 12.39%
Democratic Denita Kaipat Yangetmai (incumbent) 1,218 10.62%
Democratic Vicente Castro Camacho (incumbent) 1,218 10.28%
Independent 937 8.17%
Total votes 11.465 100.00%
House of Representative - District 4: Saipan (2 seats)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Joel Castro Camacho (incumbent) 738 32.70%
Independent Malcolm Omar (incumbent) 582 25.79%
Independent Cecilia Remedio Taitano Fitial 400 17.72%
Republican Antonio Suda Kapileo 364 16.13%
Republican Rosa Taman Rios 173 7.67%
Total votes 2,257 100.00%
House of Representative - District 5: Saipan (2 seats)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Thomas John Dela Cruz Manglona (incumbent) 1,344 42.50%
Independent Angelo Atalig Camacho (incumbent) 1,282 40.54%
Republican Melvin Lawrence Odoshi Faisao 536 16.54%
Total votes 3,162 100.00%
House of Representative - District 6: Tinian (1 seat)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Patrick Hofschneider San Nicolas (incumbent) 763 100.00%
Total votes 763 100.00%
House of Representative - District 7: Rota (1 seat)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Julie Marie Atalig Ogo (incumbent) 763 61.14%
Independent Eusebio Mendiola Manglona 485 38.86%
Total votes 1,248 100.00%

Municipal Council

Municipal Council - Saipan & Northern Islands (4D) (3 Seats, non-partisan)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Marian Deleon Guerrero Tudela (incumbent) 6,190 33.58%
Nonpartisan Carmen Cabrera Pangelinan (incumbent) 6,138 33.29%
Nonpartisan Antonia Manibusan Tudela (incumbent) 6,108 33.13%
Total votes 18,436 100.00%
Municipal Council - Tinian & Aguiguan (3 Seats, non-partisan)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Ana Marie Cruz San Nicolas (incumbent) 737 34.23%
Nonpartisan Joseph Romaldo Evangelista Santos (incumbent) 711 33.02%
Nonpartisan Estevan Pangelinan Cabrera (incumbent) 705 32.75%
Total votes 2,153 100.00%
Municipal Council - Rota (3 Seats, non-partisan)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Jonovan Hocog Lizama (incumbent) 950 29.61%
Nonpartisan Sandra Mesngon Masga 835 26.03%
Nonpartisan Tillie Castro Taimanao 823 25.65%
Nonpartisan Jim Michael Atalig (incumbent) 600 18.70%
Total votes 3,208 100.00%

Board of education

Board of Education - Saipan & Northern Islands (4D) (2 seats, non-partisan)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Aschumar Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong 4,889 29.99%
Nonpartisan Maisie Bermudes Tenorio (Incumbent) 3,816 23.41%
Nonpartisan Martin Borja Ada 2,639 16.19%
Nonpartisan Gregory Pat Borja (Incumbent) 2,622 16.08%
Nonpartisan Juan Iguel Tenorio 2,335 14.32%
Total votes 16,301 100.00%
Board of Education - Rota (non-partisan)[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Anthony Wayne Barcinas 1,155 100.00%
Total votes 1,155 100.00%

Judge

Judge[42] For retention Against retention Total
Votes % Votes %
Theresa Kim Tenorio9,90982.21%1,85815.79%11,767

Notes

  1. ↑ Senator Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero switched from Democrat to Independent[43]

References

  1. ↑ TORRE, FERDIE DE LA (February 23, 2024). "'Time to ask NMI voters whether to have another ConCon'". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  2. 1 2 Rabago, Mark (March 6, 2024). "Asiana Airlines halts regular flights to Saipan". RNZ. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  3. 1 2 ESMORES, KIMBERLY B. (March 5, 2024). "Asiana suspends regular flights". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  4. 1 2 ESMORES, KIMBERLY B. (May 10, 2024). "CPA lowers airport fees". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  5. ↑ ESMORES, KIMBERLY B. (June 7, 2024). "Asiana to close Saipan office". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  6. ↑ TORRE, FERDIE DE LA TORRE (April 4, 2024). "United Airlines says it offers lower 'resident' fares". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  7. ↑ Johnson, Harry (March 19, 2024). "Hong Kong Airlines Resumes Hong Kong to Saipan Flights". eTurbo News. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  8. ↑ Dandan, Zaldy (December 5, 2022). "A full-blown economic disaster". pactimes. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  9. ↑ TORRE, FERDIE DE LA (February 13, 2024). "'China tourism market benefits whole CNMI economy'". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  10. 1 2 "Visitor arrivals up 92% in January". Saipan Tribune. February 13, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  11. 1 2 "Arrivals up 56% last February". Saipan Tribune. March 14, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  12. 1 2 "Visitor arrivals up 60% in March". Saipan Tribune. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  13. ↑ "HANMI occupancy at 35% in April 2024". Saipan Tribune. May 24, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  14. ↑ Rabago, Mark (April 29, 2024). "Hyatt to permanently cease operations". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  15. ↑ ESMORES, KIMBERLY B. (May 1, 2024). "'Disappointing we weren't given notice'". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  16. ↑ Dam, Andrew Van (September 23, 2022). "Analysis | People are fleeing Puerto Rico, Guam and every other U.S. territory. What gives?". Washington Post. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  17. 1 2 Manglona, Thomas (April 24, 2023). "CNMI administration begins austerity after first 100 days". www.kuam.com. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  18. 1 2 TORRE, FERDIE DE LA (January 22, 2023). "Austerity, furloughs, discontinuing payment of 25% retirees' pension are all on the table". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  19. ↑ TORRE, FERDIE DE LA (October 9, 2023). "New 70-hour work schedule set". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Today is 'Austerity Monday'". Marianas Variety News & Views. October 4, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  21. 1 2 Erediano, Emmanuel T. (October 10, 2023). "Governor implements additional cost-cutting measures". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  22. ↑ Manglona, Thomas (January 12, 2023). "CNMI local, federal funds in deficit". www.kuam.com. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  23. 1 2 MARINO, CHRYSTAL (March 7, 2024). "Small businesses still struggling to keep hope afloat". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  24. ↑ Roberto, Andrew (February 28, 2024). "It's 'not looking good at all' for small businesses". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  25. ↑ Manglona, Thomas (March 5, 2024). "Saipan small business owners voice economic frustrations". www.kuam.com. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  26. ↑ Manabat, Bryan (February 27, 2024). "Saipan welcomes MS Artania". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  27. ↑ ESMORES, KIMBERLY B. ESMORES (January 5, 2024). "Cruise ship brings in nearly 4,000 visitors". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  28. 1 2 Erediano, Emmanuel T. (January 13, 2023). "San Nicolas is House minority leader". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  29. 1 2 3 "2022 General Election Results". Commonwealth Election Commission. November 11, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  30. 1 2 Manglona, Thomas (November 16, 2022). "Independents, Democrats take control of the CNMI Senate". www.kuam.com. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  31. 1 2 Manglona, Thomas. "CNMI GOP endorses King-Hinds after Gonzales withdraws from primary, runs as Independent". www.kuam.com. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  32. ↑ Commonwealth Election Commission - 2012 Election Results". Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023
  33. ↑ "Commonwealth Election Commission - Election 2014 Results". Archived from the original on November 30, 2014. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Fitial touts Covenant's CNMI-wide rule". Saipan Tribune. January 15, 2006. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  35. ↑ Stolyar, Lina; Orgera, Kendal; Published, Robin Rudowitz (May 18, 2021). "Challenges in the U.S. Territories: COVID-19 and the Medicaid Financing Cliff". KFF. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  36. ↑ Manglona, Thomas. "NMI Del. Sablan will not seek re-election after 16 years in office". www.kuam.com. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  37. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (February 29, 2024). "Kilili endorses Propst". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  38. ↑ "NMI Democrats endorse incumbents, Manny Castro for Saipan Senate". Saipan Tribune. April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Bolis to run for Congress". Marianas Variety News & Views. March 7, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  40. ↑ Manabat, Bryan (August 9, 2024). "Hofschneider says she's a nonpartisan candidate for US delegate". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  41. ↑ Manabat, Bryan (April 15, 2024). "Indigenous activist to run for Congress". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  42. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "2024 Election Results". Commonwealth Election Commission. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  43. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (May 14, 2024). "I never moved to the dark side". Marianas Variety. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2025. said the Senate president, who is seeking re-election in November as an independent.
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