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Tenorio Announces Candidacy For CNMI Delegate Position

By Agnes E. Donato on Saipan
Thursday: May 15, 2008

The Northern Marianas’ resident representative to Washington, D.C. has formally declared his bid to become the commonwealth’s first delegate to the U.S. Congress.

Resident Rep. Pete A. Tenorio is the first candidate to announce his intention to run for the new position. He asked the Northern Marianas Republican Party to endorse his candidacy.

Tenorio, a long-time politician, has represented the commonwealth in the nation’s capital for over six years. His second term, which he is currently serving, will be cut short by one year, as the new delegate assumes office in January 2009.

He said the delegate’s job would be “very challenging and … consistent with the work I have done since my time as a negotiator of the [U.S.-Northern Marianas] Covenant.”

Ana Teregeyo, an official of the local Republican Party, the largest political group in the commonwealth, declined to comment on Tenorio’s plan. She said the party is still drafting rules for choosing its candidate for delegate, and has not discussed Tenorio’s request.

The Fitial administration said Tenorio is facing “an uphill battle.”

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Tenorio have been at odds over recent federal policy changes on labor and immigration in the Northern Marianas. Fitial has opposed raising the minimum wage and having Washington take over labor and immigration controls. Tenorio has taken a middle-ground approach on both issues.

The governor’s spokesperson, Charles P. Reyes Jr., said Tenorio had alienated many voters by supporting immigration federalization. He called Tenorio’s congressional bid “a referendum on federalization.”

“His candidacy would be a real test of the people’s position on federalization. If he wins decisively, I think we can safely say that our people support federalization. We look forward to that judgment,” said Reyes.

Other candidates reported to be interested in running for delegate include Finance Secretary Eloy Inos, Associate Judge Juan Lizama, Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Gregorio Sablan, and former attorney general Robert Torres.

The election is on Nov. 4, 2008. The election commission will accept nominating petitions and candidacy documents from July 7 to August 6.

Legislation granting the commonwealth a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives was enacted last week. Similar to other delegates, the Northern Marianas delegate will have limited voting powers. He or she can serve on committees and vote on legislation at the committee level. But floor voting will not be permitted.