The governor of the Northern Marianas Eloy Inos has died in hospital in Seattle.
The Governor of the Northern Marianas, Eloy Inos. Photo: CNMI Governor's Office
The 66 year old was recovering from open heart surgery.
The lieutenant governor Ralph Torres is expected to be sworn in this afternoon.
Mr Inos became governor in 2013, taking over from the disgraced Benigno Fitial, who had been impeached on corruption charges.
He was later elected in his own right.