Pacific

Marianas governor Torres faces run off after narrow win

14:07 pm on 11 November 2022

CNMI Governor Ralph Torres Photo: CNMI Govt

In the Northern Marianas, the incumbent Ralph Torres is facing a run-off to remain governor after narrowly topping yesterday's election.

The Commonwealth Election Commission's unofficial tabulation results show Republican Torres obtained 5,726 votes, or 38.84 percent of the total votes cast.

Independent Arnold Palacios gained 4,890 votes, or 33.16 percent.

The Democratic candidate Christina Sablan came in third with 4,132 votes, or 28.02 percent.

Torres and Palacios will now run off again in two weeks.

The Saipain Tribune reports that Sablan has endorsed Palacios.

The incumbent delegate to the US Congress, Gregorio Kilili Sablan of the Democratic Party, is unopposed in the race.

Attorney General Edward Manibusan was re-elected for his third four-year term after defeating his lone challenger, former Superior Court associate judge Juan Lizama.

The Election Commission experienced some challenges during the count, with a very late start and at least one ballot box couldn't be opened by a key and bolt cutters were needed.

Democrat wins in Guam

The Guam election ended with victory for Democrat incumbent Lou Leon Guerrero, who retains her position as Governor for another four years.

Guerrero defeated Republican rival Josh Tenorio, winning 55.45 percent out of 33,659 votes cast.

Long-serving speaker returned in American Samoa

Unofficial election results from American Samoa have been released by the Election Office.

Under the preliminary results, 15 of the 20 incumbent members of the House of Representatives are returning to the Fono.

This includes the longest-serving member of the House, Speaker Savali Talavou Ale.

Incumbent Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata ran unopposed and is returning for another term in the US Congress.

Five proposed amendments to the Constitution of American Samoa were approved while six were rejected.

The approved changes - which stil need sign off from the US Congress - include giving the delegate from Swains Island a vote in the House of Representatives and providing an impeachment process of the Governor and Lt Governor.

Landslides in Hawaii

In Hawaii, the Democrats' Brian Schatz has easily won the US Senate race, gaining 250,183 votes - or 72.5 percent.

Republican Bob McDermott gained only 86,211 votes or 25 percent.

In the face for governor, the Democrats' Josh Green won with 65 percent of the vote.