Politics of the Northern Mariana Islands

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Politics of the Northern Mariana Islands takes place in a framework of a

mayors
.

The Northern Mariana Islands and the United States of America reached a Covenant Agreement which became fully effective on November 4, 1986. The

Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
became effective on January 1, 1978.

Executive branch

Main office-holders
Office Name Party Since
Governor
Ralph Torres
Republican Party December 28, 2015
Lieutenant Governor Arnold Palacios[1] Republican Party January 14, 2019

Department Level Cabinet Positions

Department Head Political Party Tenure
Department of Finance Secretary David DLG. Atalig[2][3]
Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Robert Hunter[2]
Department of Labor Secretary Vicky Benavente[2]
Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Anthony T. Benavente[2]
Department of Commerce Secretary Mark O. Rabauliman[2]
Department of Corrections Commissioner Ramon C. Mafnas[3]
Office of Planning and Development Secretary James Ada[2] Republican Party
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Robert A. Guerrero[2]
Office of the Attorney General
Attorney General Joey San Nicolas
2012
Department of Public Lands Secretary Marianne Concepcion-Teregeyo[2]
Office of the Public Defender
Public Defender Doug Hartig[2]

Sub-cabinet level divisions and offices

Office or division Head Political Party Tenure
Administrative Office Special Assistant for Administration Mathilda A. Rosario[2]
Public Information and Protocol Office
Press Secretary Kevin Bautista[2]
Liaison Office
Programs and Legislative Review Office Special Assistant Victoria Guerrero

Legislative branch

The Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature has two chambers. The House of Representatives has 20 members, elected for a two-year term from seven districts. The Senate has 9 members, elected for a four-year term in two staggered classes.

Prior to January 2009, the Commonwealth maintained an elected "Resident Representative" in Washington, DC. As authorized by

insular areas
. The first election was held on November 4, 2008.

Political parties and elections

Judicial branch

Commonwealth

Federal District Court

Federal representation

In November 2008, the Northern Mariana Islands held its first election for a

delegate to the United States Congress. Gregorio "Kilili" Sablan won the election, and began his term of office in January 2009.[4]
The delegate serves as a member to some House committees and may vote in those committees, but the delegate is not permitted to vote on bills up for vote among all members of the House.

International organization participation

Political culture

Historically the Northern Mariana Islands have been subject to the

colonizing powers of Spain, Germany, Japan, and the United States under a United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Agreement. Each power contributed elements that mixed with local indigenous cultures to form the current political culture of the Northern Mariana Islands.[citation needed
]

Saipansucks.com charge that this is nepotism carried out within the trappings of democracy.[5][6][page needed
]

References

  1. ^ "The Honorable Arnold I. Palacios". Office of the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Current Cabinet". Office of the Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Executive Directory". Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 2013. Archived from the original on 23 May 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  4. ^ Donato, Agnes E. (November 19, 2008). "Absentee votes confirm Kilili victory". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012.
  5. ^ Ellis, Jimmie L. (2004). Total resource sharing among collegiate and public libraries in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: A narrative case study (Thesis).
  6. ^ "Saipan Tribune". Archived from the original on 2006-10-25.