Dennis Mendiola | |
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14th Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands | |
Assumed office July 23, 2025 | |
Governor | David M. Apatang |
Preceded by | David M. Apatang |
President of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate | |
In office January 13,2025 –July 23,2025 | |
Preceded by | Edith DeLeon Guerrero |
Succeeded by | Karl King-Nabors |
Member of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate from the 1st district | |
In office January 9,2023 –July 23,2025 | |
Preceded by | Victor Hocog Teresita Santos |
Succeeded by | Paul Manglona |
Personal details | |
Born | Dennis James Camacho Mendiola 1979or1980(age 45–46) |
Political party | Republican |
Education | University of Guam (BA) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army National Guard |
Years of service | 2009–2015 |
Rank | Captain |
Dennis James Camacho Mendiola (born 1979/1980) [1] is a Northern Mariana Islander politician. He is the 14th and current lieutenant governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. [2] Prior to his elevation to the lieutenant governorship after the death of Arnold Palacios,he served as a Republican member for the 1st district of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate. [3] [4]
He attended the University of Guam and graduated with a degree in public administration and a minor in military science. Upon graduation,he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the US Army National Guard. [5] He medically retired in 2015 at the rank of captain after a battle with cancer. [6] Mendiola served as the Commissioner of Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. [1] In 2020,he was the Republican candidate against incumbent Paul Manglona. He lost with 666 votes to Manglona's 764 votes. [7] He ran again in the 2022 election winning a five-way race for two seats in the Senate. [8] On January 8,2025,it was announced that Mendiola would be elected to the position of President of the Senate for the 24th Commonwealth Legislature. [9]
Mendiola endorsed the Donald Trump presidential campaign in the 2024 United States presidential election. [10]