Wikipedia

2001 Northern Mariana Islands general election

The 2001 Northern Mariana Islands general election was held on Saturday, 3 November 2001, electing the governor and members to the legislature. The 2001 elections marked the last general election that the dissolved Reform Party, which merged back into the Democratic Party in 2002,[1] would appear on the ballot. Despite the economic hardships experienced under Pedro Pangelinan Tenorio's Administration, the apparent strength the 1999 general elections signaled that the Democratic Party and its splinter Reform Party had, and the newly formed Covenant Party which was formed as a splinter party from the ruling Republican Party, Republican candidate Juan Nekai Babauta won with a landslide in the four-way race. Benigno Repeki Fitial's newly formed Covenant Party landed a distant yet sizable second place. Jesus Borja of the Democratic Party won a distant third and Froilan Tenorio of the Reform Party placed fourth.[2]

2001 Northern Mariana Islands general election
3 November 2001
Gubernatorial election
← 1997
2005 →
 
Candidate Juan Babauta Benigno Fitial
Party Republican Covenant
Running mate Diego Benavente Rita Inos
Popular vote 5,194 2,963
Percentage 44.61% 25.45%
 
Candidate Jesus Borja Froilan Tenorio
Party Democratic Reform
Running mate Bridget Ichihara Dave C. Sablan
Popular vote 2,117 1,368
Percentage 18.20% 11.75%
Governor before election

Pedro Pangelinan Tenorio
Republican

Elected Governor

Juan Babauta
Republican

Senate election
← 1999
2003 →
6 of the 9 seats in the Senate
5 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats
Republican

5
Democratic

2
Reform

1
Covenant

1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
House election
← 1999
2003 →
All 18 seats in the House of Representatives
10 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats
Republican

16
Covenant

1
Democratic

1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Mayoral elections
← 1997
2005 →
3 Mayors
Party Seats
Republican

2
Democratic

1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

Background

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Incumbent Governor Pedro Pangelinan Tenorio chooses to not seek a fourth term, ending his career with his unprecedented three term victories, being the only governor in CNMI history to win more than two terms.[3] The 2001 elections takes place in the aftermath of the 1999 election, which saw the newly formed Reform Party achieve a "stunning upset and defeat of formidable incumbent Senator Juan P. Tenorio (Morgen) by newcomer Ramon "Kumoi" Santos Deleon Guerrero."[4][5] The election of the CNMI's first third party lawmaker sent massive shockwaves throughout the territory and had aroused significant discussion for the future of the political landscape. However, the Reform Party's failure to obtain seats in the House of Representatives during the 1999 elections signaled that the Party may not have staying power.[5] This took place at the same time the Democratic Party observed a resurgence.[5] The 2001 election saw a four-way race between candidates from four political parties, including the newly formed Covenant Party.[6] This election was also defined by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, which saw as many as 2,000 businesses in the CNMI close down, severely affecting the ruling incumbent Republican party.[5] Tourism has been significantly negatively affected and austerity measures have begun to pressure the population as the economy has turned negative since Pedro Tenorio took office.[7]

Gubernatorial election

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Candidates

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Republican Party

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Covenant Party

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Democratic Party

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Reform Party

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Results

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Northern Mariana Islands Gubernatorial Election[19]
Party Candidate Running mate Results
Votes %
Republican Juan Nekai Babauta Diego Tenorio Benavente 5,194 44.61%
Covenant Benigno Repeki Fitial Rita Hocog Inos 2,963 25.45%
Democratic Jesus "Jesse" Camacho Borja Bridget Ichihara 2,117 18.20%
Reform Froilan Cruz "Lang" Tenorio Dave C. Sablan 1,368 11.75%
Total 11,642 100%
Republican hold

Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature

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Results summary

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Parties House Election Results Seat Change Party Strength
1999[20] 2001[21] +/− Strength
  Republican 11 16 5   88.89%
  Covenant 0 1 1   5.56%
  Democratic 6 1 5   5.56%
  Independent 1 0 1   0.00%
Totals 18 18   100.00%
 
Parties Senate Election Results Seat Change Party Strength
1999[22] 2001[23] +/− Strength
  Republican 6 5 1   55.56%
  Democratic 2 2 0   22.22%
  Covenant 0 1 1   11.11%
  Reform 1 1 0   11.11%
Totals 9 9   100.00%

Senate

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The Northern Mariana Islands Senate is the upper house of the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature, consisting of nine senators representing three senatorial districts (Saipan & the Northern Islands, Tinian & Aguijan, and Rota), each a Multi-member district with three senators. Each district had two seats open for the 2001 elections. Both of Rota's incumbent senators, Edward U. Maratita and Richardo S. Atalig, sought reelection.[24]

House of Representatives

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The Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives is the lower house of the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature. The house has six districts, several of which are Multi-member district. All 18 seats in the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives were contested in the 2001 election.

Mayors

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Three mayoral posts were up for election across the Commonwealth. Saipan's incumbent Mayor, Republican Jose C. Sablan, announced that he would not seek reelection due to health issues.[25] Republicans Frank Cepeda and Henry Sablan, and Democrat Juan Borja Tudela have expressed intention in seeking the Saipan mayoralty.[25] Democrat Juan Borja Tudela won the Saipan mayoral race.[26] Rota's incumbent Mayor, Benjamin Manglona, sought reelection[24] and won.[27] Incumbent Tinian and Aguiguan Mayor, Republican Francisco M. Borja, announced his reelection bid[28] and won.[29]

Municipal Council

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Board of education

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Judges

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References

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  1. ^ Staff, Variety News (2002-06-13). "Tenorio returns to Democratic Party". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  2. ^ a b Alejandro, Edith G. (6 November 2001). "GOP IN LANDSLIDE CNMI VICTORY: BABAUTA GOVERNOR". Pacific Islands Report. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  3. ^ Reporter, Kimberly Bautista Esmores | (2018-05-30). "CNMI bids Teno farewell". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  4. ^ "Post-mortem". Marianas Variety News. 1999-11-12. p. 6. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  5. ^ a b c d "Analysis: What went wrong , what went right". Saipan Tribune. 1999-11-08. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  6. ^ Eugenio, Haidee V. (2011-01-08). "Fitial now back to Republican Party, Governor's end goal to merge Covenant with GOP". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  7. ^ "The 2001 slugfest". Saipan Tribune. 2000-01-28. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  8. ^ "Governor's Information: Northern Mariana Islands Governor Juan N. Babauta". National Governor's Association. Archived from the original on 2 June 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  9. ^ Donato, Agnes (12 December 2008). "Diego launches bid for governor". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Benígno Fitial". National Governors Association. 2019-01-14. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  11. ^ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Benigno R. Fitial". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  12. ^ Deposa, Moneth (2009-08-11). "Dr. Rita Inos, 55, dies of cancer". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  13. ^ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Jesus Camacho "Jesse" Borja". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  14. ^ Deposa, Moneth (9 April 2010). "Ex-lt. governor Borja seeks delegate post". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  15. ^ McPhetres, Samuel F. (2003). "Northern Mariana Islands". The Contemporary Pacific: 162. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  16. ^ "Ichihara is Borja's lieutenant governor". Saipan Tribune. January 19, 2001. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  17. ^ "National Governors Association". 19 October 2009. Archived from the original on 19 October 2009. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Former Representatives of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to the United States House of Representatives | U.S. Department of the Interior". www.doi.gov. 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  19. ^ "CNMI Governor". ourcampaigns.com. 27 June 2009. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  20. ^ "Members of the House of Representatives, 12th Commonwealth Legislature". cnmileg.net. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  21. ^ "Members of the House of Representatives, 13th Commonwealth Legislature". cnmileg.net. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  22. ^ "Members of the Senate, 12th Commonwealth Legislature". cnmileg.net. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  23. ^ "Members of the Senate, 13th Commonwealth Legislature". cnmileg.net. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  24. ^ a b "Rota unveils GOP bets for 2001 election". Saipan Tribune. 2000-12-05. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  25. ^ a b "Saipan mayor not seeking re-election". Saipan Tribune. 2000-06-27. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  26. ^ "Former Saipan Mayor Tudela, 77". Marianas Variety News & Views. 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  27. ^ Eugenio, Haidee V. (2024-04-19). "Senate OKs renaming Rota airport after former mayor Manglona". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  28. ^ "Tinian mayor announces reelection bid". Saipan Tribune. 1999-11-15. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  29. ^ "Mayor History – Mayor Edwin P. Aldan | Tinian & Aguiguan". tinianmayor.cnmi.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
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