Each major political party has announced the deadline to file letters of intent for to seek their nomination. Letters of intent to seek the Republican nomination are due December 12, 2025,[1] while letters of intent to seek the Democratic nomination are due February 1, 2026.[2]
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.[3]David M. Apatang, the incumbent governor sworn in on July 23, 2025, has not announced his plans.
Background
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 Palacios administration made modest gains in the legislature.[4] 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.[5][6] Governor Arnold Palacios died July 23, 2025, and was succeeded by Lieutenant Governor David M. Apatang.[3]
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