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2026 Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election

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2026 Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election
← 2022
November 3, 2026
2030 →
 
Nominee Ralph Torres Blas T. Attao Lawrence F. Camacho
Party Republican Independent Independent
Running mate Benjamin Jones Jr. Edmund Villagomez Edith DeLeon Guerrero
Incumbent governor

David M. Apatang
Independent


The 2026 Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. Incumbent governor David M. Apatang, who was elevated to the role on July 23, 2025, after the death of Arnold Palacios, declined to run for a full term in office.

Background

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A governing coalition made up of independents and Democrats has governed the Northern Mariana Islands since 2023. In the 2024 general election, Republicans won the open US delegate seat while independents not aligned with the Palacios administration made modest gains in the legislature.[1]

The Republican National Committee announced Palacios rejoined the Republican Party after the 2024 elections. Palacios' return received a lukewarm to hostile reception from local Republicans.[2][3] Governor Arnold Palacios died on July 23, 2025, and was succeeded by Lieutenant Governor David M. Apatang.[4]

Candidates

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Declared

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Withdrawn

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Declined

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Endorsements

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Blas T. Attao (I)
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials


See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (February 19, 2025). "Ada is new House minority leader". Marianas Variety. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  2. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (January 2, 2025). "Year in Review 2024: Governor rejoins Republican Party; local GOP not amused". Marianas Variety. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  3. ↑ Roberto, Andrew (January 20, 2025). "Republicans gather to discuss governor, future of party". Marianas Variety. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  4. ↑ Rabago, Mark; Gilbert, Haidee E. (July 23, 2025). "CNMI Gov. Arnold Palacios dies Wednesday night, hours after airlifted to Guam for medical treatment". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Erediano, Emmanuel (July 13, 2025). "Attao to run for governor, names Villagomez as running mate". Marianas Variety. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Floyd, Raquel (May 21, 2026). "PSS Commissioner to resign in June amid gubernatorial run". Marianas Press. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  7. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (December 13, 2025). "Ralph to run for governor". Marianas Variety. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  8. ↑ Mangloña II, Thomas (March 20, 2026). "Former governor Torres to run with Benjamin Jones Jr., seeks GOP support for gubernatorial ticket". Marianas Press. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  9. ↑ Manglona II, Thomas (February 26, 2026). "Sablan to run for Senate, withdraws intent to seek GOP nomination for governor". Marianas Press. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 Rabago, Mark. "Apatang, Kilili endorse Attao-Villagomez tandem | Marianas Press". marianaspress.com. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
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