SABLAN&STAFFLER


FOR CNMI GOV. AND LT. GOV 2022



TRUSTED LEADERSHIP



TINA: I first got to know Leila Fleming Staffler years ago, in 2007. We were both in our 20s, new in our careers. We had both recently returned to the islands after completing college. It was during that time that I wrote this manifesto as well. It was an open letter to the people of the commonwealth, calling on everyone, myself included, to face our fears and start speaking up about the issues we cared about. To get involved in the work of creating a better community.



LEILA: I reached out to Tina at that time. I wrote to her for the first time in January 2007, 15 years ago today. I wrote about being afraid to speak out. I shared with Tina that I was scared. I was afraid to stand up and realize I was the only one standing. But her letter made me see that I wasn't alone. She wasn't alone. I thanked her for standing up and told her "I want you to know I will be standing right next to you."



TINA: And she did. We worked with other caring citizens to hold public forums throughout the island. We launched a popular initiative to reapply the Open Government Act to the legislature. We wanted more transparency in government and that seemed like a good place to start. We walked door to door, gathering signatures to get that initiative on the ballot. We did a lot of public education and we succeeded! The OGA initiative got on the ballot and passed with the overwhelming approval of the voters in 2009.



LEILA: Tina inspired me to speak up and be a voice in our community. To stop being afraid of pushing for change



TINA: And I came to know Leila as a courageous, passionate, and committed leader that she is.


Leila went on to get her master's in education and served in our public school system for 20 years as this amazing teacher, counselor, and principal. She taught and mentored thousands of young people.



LEILA: Tina first ran and won a seat in the CNMI House of Representatives in 2007, representing Precinct 1. She was 26, the youngest person elected to public office in the CNMI, and she continued to be a voice for change. She went on to work as a local news reporter, then got her master's in planning. And then she worked for our U.S. Delegate Kilili's office for several years before deciding to run again for the House in 2018, this time representing Precinct 2. She often encouraged me to think about running for office too.



TINA: Leila has long been a champion for good governance. I was delighted when she decided to run for the House in 2020, to represent Precinct 5.



LEILA: I have worked with Tina in different civic and community outreach activities over the last 15 years, and now of course we work together in the House. Tina has consistently shared her vision of what good governance in the Marianas could be like, with the right leadership and direction.



BUT WHAT IS "GOOD GOVERNANCE"?



It means open and honest government, accountable leaders, sound and stable policies, and empowered citizens.



It means safeguarding the public trust and exercising fiscal responsibility.



It means fairness and freedom from fear. No one should ever be afraid of their government.



OUR MARIANAS IS AT A CROSSROADS.
PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY FOR CHANGE.





It's time for a government that serves the people efficiently and effectively, without favor to special interests.


A government that is data-driven and purposeful in its decisions.


A government that cares about its people.





It's time for leadership that truly understands how crucial education is to the long-term social and economic development of our whole commonwealth. All children deserve opportunities to thrive.


It's time for leadership that recognizes that our ability to grow and prosper as a community is directly connected to the health of our people.


Leila and I are ready to work for that bright and hopeful future that our people deserve. We are excited and deeply humbled to be running on this historic ticket under the Democrat party.



Good governance is on the ballot in 2022!
VOTE TINA AND LEILA!