Early voting is now in full swing, and runoff election day is Friday, November 25, the day after Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving coincides with one of the meanest, most rancorous political seasons many of us have seen in the Marianas - and also one of our most important elections in a generation. It’s worth pausing to reflect on all of that.

A truthful SOCA would explain to the people how typhoon and pandemic recovery funds are being distributed, and what efforts are underway to get critical projects and programs moving on all of our islands. That there are still over a thousand people waiting for their Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is beyond unconscionable and absurd—especially when we consider that the application period for the PUA program closed over a year ago. What is being done to speed up the processing of these claims that were supposed to be weekly benefits issued many months ago to help people survive the devastating economic impacts of the pandemic? A truthful SOCA would explain that.

FROM 2010 to 2020, I had the distinct privilege to lead at Kagman High in many capacities. From teacher leader, to advisor, to coach, to shelter manager, to administrator, I did my best to serve my school and community with compassion and fairness. Investing in people was part of the continuous improvement process that eventually helped change the culture of that school. Changing a school culture is not easy, but is necessary to make positive and lasting change. This is true of our CNMI government culture as well. It will not be easy, but it is necessary to make positive and lasting change.

On Citizenship Day, we celebrate what it means to be citizens of the United States and a self-governing commonwealth. We are truly blessed to live in these peaceful Mariana Islands, and to be part of a free and democratic nation.

I HAVE heard from enough people to know that our opponents are on a quiet, mean, and frankly racist misinformation campaign against both Leila Fleming Staffler and me. Attacking us for not being fluent in the Chamorro language. Falsely accusing us of not valuing our indigenous Chamorro and Refaluwasch cultures. Falsely claiming that we would abolish Article XII if elected. Even attacking us for only being "half" Chamorro and (in my case) falsely claiming that I am not Chamorro at all.

Tina and I believe that small businesses and a strong, competitive workforce are the heart of a healthy economy, and that the government serves an important role in ensuring a level playing field and supporting the success of both small businesses and workers. Our vision resonates with the Chamber’s vision of islands “where business, family, and community succeed as one.”

I HAVE heard from enough people to know that our opponents are on a quiet, mean, and frankly racist misinformation campaign against both Leila Fleming Staffler and me. Attacking us for not being fluent in the Chamorro language. Falsely accusing us of not valuing our indigenous Chamorro and Refaluwasch cultures. Falsely claiming that we would abolish Article XII if elected. Even attacking us for only being "half" Chamorro and (in my case) falsely claiming that I am not Chamorro at all.

After attending the State of Education Address on Sept. 22, 2022, presented by the three key educational institutions in the CNMI—the CNMI Public School System, Northern Marianas Technical Institute and Northern Marianas College— I am optimistic about the direction of education in the CNMI. These institutions’ collective effort to provide high quality education and training for our people reinforces the fact that the CNMI is a leader in our region when it comes to education and access.

Ralph Torres may not understand or appreciate how important mental health is for the overall wellbeing of our community; I do. My colleagues in the House and Senate do. Mental health providers and their patients do. Our families and children do. Mental health matters to all of us. I remain fully committed to enacting PSYPACT legislation and improving and expanding the mental health care services available to our people—as the Health and Welfare chairwoman in the House, and as the Commonwealth’s next governor.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Christina “Tina” Sablan and her running mate for lieutenant governor Leila Fleming Staffler challenged their electoral opponents to a debate.

“The people of the Marianas deserve to hear all three gubernatorial teams debate the issues and our plans to address them,” said Tina. “

This administration, and particularly this governor, place so little value on healthcare for our people that they're either dragging their feet in transferring the money that should be there - or they've spent the money on other things and haven't bothered to tell anyone.

There's no excuse. This is an abject failure of leadership. The health and wellbeing of our people may not be priorities in this administration. They will be in mine.

The abrupt transfer of Customs director Jose Mafnas to a nonexistent position in an entirely different department is political retaliation, plain for all to see.

There are few issues more important to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Christina “Tina” Sablan and running mate Leila Fleming Staffler, than making sure that commonwealth policies and programs are in place to support Marianas veterans and their families.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates Christina “Tina” Sablan and Leila Fleming Staffler issued the following joint statement on the passing of former CNMI Superior Court Judge, Herb Soll.

Small businesses are a big priority for Christina “Tina” Sablan and Leila Fleming Staffler, the Northern Marianas Democratic Party’s candidates for governor and lt. governor. Tina and Leila thanked the small business owners who recently joined them for conversations over coffee, to share their experiences and their ideas for making the Marianas a better place for small businesses.

Christina “Tina” Sablan and Leila Fleming Staffler officially launched their Trusted Leadership campaign website this week. Members of the public can visit SablanStaffler.com to read about the Democratic candidates for CNMI governor and lt. governor, their platform and public service work, and ways to support the campaign.