Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives

Summary

The Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives is the lower house of the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature.

Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
22nd Legislature
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
Leadership
Edmund Villagomez (I)
since January 13, 2021
Vice Speaker
Joel Camacho (I)
since January 9, 2023
Majority Leader
Ed Propst (D)
since January 9, 2023
Minority Leader
Patrick San Nicolas (R)
since January 13, 2023
Structure
Seats20
Political groups
  •   Independent (13)
  •   Democratic (4)
  •   Republican (3)
  •   Coalition

In the 2007 election cycle, the CNMI House membership was increased from 18 to 20. Representatives serve two-year terms and are elected from seven election districts:

The Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives is chosen by the House from among its members.[1]

Composition of the House of Representatives edit

Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority/plurality)
Total
Republican Independent Democratic Covenant Vacant
End of 18th Legislature 4 12 0 4 20 0
19th Legislature 7 13 0 0 20 0
20th Legislature 15 5 0 0 20 0
21st Legislature 13 7 0 0 20 0
Begin 22nd Legislature 9[a] 1 2 8 0 20 0
July 23, 2021 8 19 1
October 16, 2021 9 20 0
23rd Legislature 3 1 12 4 0 20 0
Latest voting share 20% 80%

Leadership edit

At the start of the 23rd Commonwealth Legislature, Villagomez was reelected as speaker while Joel Castro Camacho was elected vice-speaker and Edwin Propst was elected floor leader.[3][4] On January 13, 2023, the four-member minority elected Patrick Hofschneider San Nicolas as minority leader.[5]

Office Representative Party
Speaker of the House Edmund Villagomez Independent
Vice Speaker Joel Castro Camacho Independent
Majority Leader Edwin Propst Democratic
Minority Leader Patrick Hofschneider San Nicolas Republican

Members of the 23rd Legislature edit

In the 2020 general election for the 22nd Legislature, the Republican Party won nine seats, a resurgent Democratic Party won eight seats, and three seats were won by independents. Two of those independents, Edmund Joseph Sablan Villagomez and Donald Manalang Manglona, are aligned with the Democratic Party while Joseph Flores is aligned with the Republican Party.[6] On July 23, 2021, the death of Republican 3rd district representative Ivan A. Blanco created a vacancy, to be filled in an October 16 special election.[7] Democrat Corina Magofna won the special election, flipping the seat.[8] In the 2022 elections for the 23rd Legislature, independents made significant gains, reducing the number of Democrats and Republicans in the House. However, 12 of the 13 independents formed a coalition government with the 4 Democrats.[9]

District Name Party Caucus
1 - Saipan Edwin Propst Democratic Majority
Vincent Raymon Seman Aldan Independent Majority
Joseph Arriola Flores Independent Minority
Roy Christopher Aldan Ada Republican Minority
Diego Vincent Fejeran Camacho Democratic Majority
Roman Cepeda Benavente Independent Majority
2 - Saipan Manny Gregory Tenorio Independent Majority
John Paul Palacios Sablan Independent Majority
3 - Saipan Blas Jonathan "BJ" Tenorio Attao Independent Majority
Edmund Villagomez Independent Majority
Ralph Naraja Yumul Independent Majority
Denita Kaipat Yangetmai Democratic Majority
Marissa Renee Flores Independent Majority
Vicente Castro Camacho Democratic Majority
4 - Saipan Malcolm Jason Omar Independent Majority
Joel Castro Camacho Independent Majority
5 - Saipan Angelo Atalig Camacho Independent Majority
Thomas John Dela Cruz Manglona Republican Minority
6 - Tinian Patrick Hofschneider San Nicolas Republican Minority
7 - Rota Julie Marie Atalig Ogo Independent Majority

Past composition of the House of Representatives edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ N.M.I. Const. art. II, § 14(b).
  2. ^ "Democrats take control of CNMI House of Representatives". Radio New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand. January 14, 2021. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  3. ^ Bautista Esmores, Kimberly (January 9, 2023). "Villagomez re-elected House speaker". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  4. ^ "23rd Commonwealth Legislature Directory" (PDF). CNMI Legislature. January 12, 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (January 13, 2023). "San Nicolas is House minority leader". Marianas Variety. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  6. ^ De La Torre, Ferdie (December 17, 2020). "Majority in 22nd House a toss-up". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  7. ^ Commonwealth Election Commission, "Proclamation - Special Election for the Third Election District (Precint 3)," August 19, 2021
  8. ^ "Magofna Wins Northern Mariana Islands Special Election". 18 October 2021.
  9. ^ Sablan, Jesus I. (Chair) (November 11, 2022). "Official General Election Results". Commonwealth Election Commission. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2023.

Notes edit

  1. ^ One Republican voted with the Democratic–Independent coalition to elect the speaker of the House.[2]

External links edit

  • Official website
  • The 16th Legislature, Saipan Tribune, 2008-01-14