Since 2023, a governing coalition made up of independents and Democrats has governed the Northern Mariana Islands since 2023. In the 2024 general election, Republicans won the open US delegate seat while independents not aligned with the Arnold Palacios administration made modest gains in the legislature.[1] The Republican National Committee announced Palacios rejoined the Republican Party after the 2024 elections. Palacios’ return received a lukewarm to hostile reception from local Republicans.[2][3]
Key issues for the 2026 election remain similar to the previous general elections, with the economy and corruption being key issues that many criticize Governor Palacios and the Democrat-Independent Coalition for failing to rectify.[4] The island’s largest industry, tourism, have not recovered since the COVID-19 Pandemic, and tourism have fallen compared to 2024 numbers.[5][6] Another issue is the Administration’s hostility to reopening the Chinese tourism market, likely due to the declining relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China.[7] The decision by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to abruptly stop processing travelers’ applications under the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) has crippled the Chinese tourism market for the CNMI.[5][8] The two weekly flights by Hong Kong Airlines have been suspended until June 16 pending reinstatement of the program.[5][8]
Governor Arnold Palacios was elected with 54.14% of the vote in the runoff election in 2022. He was eligible to run for re-election in 2026, but died on July 23, 2025.[9]David M. Apatang, the incumbent governor sworn in on July 23, 2025, has not announced his plans. Former House Speaker Blas T. Attao announced that he will run for Governor as an independent.[10]
Republican Party president Joseph Lee Pan Guerrero has stated that reelecting Kimberly King-Hinds as Delegate remains the top priority for the party.[11] On June 20th, 2025, Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero, the president of Northern Marianas College and nephew of former delegate Gregorio Sablan, announced his candidacy as an independent.[12]
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