Gregorio "Kilili" Camacho Sablan, the outgoing delegate for the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he received from constituents over the past 16 years.
Kilili, who was elected as the first-ever delegate to represent the CNMI in the U.S. House of Representatives, reflected on his tenure, highlighting his efforts to secure more funding for healthcare, education, job training, and alternative energy resources in the Commonwealth.
“It's huge and I am humbled by the opportunity to have had a chance to represent the Northern Marianas in Congress,” Kilili said. “It's unlike anything I've ever done before,” he added.
A former Independent, Kilili made history in 2008 by winning the first federal election for the NMI. He was reelected seven times, running unopposed in 2016, 2020, and 2022, and caucusing with the Democratic Party. In 2022, he ran as a Democrat.
After serving eight terms, Kilili decided not to seek re-election in 2024. He will be succeeded by Kimberlyn King-Hinds, who won a competitive five-way race in the most recent election.
During his time in Congress, Kilili secured significant federal funding, including increases to Medicaid, Pell Grants for lower-income students, and legislation that extended economic rights and regulations for submerged lands and waters extending 200 miles from the islands.
Kilili also emphasized his decision to remain on the Education and Labor Committee, rather than pursue more high-profile assignments.
“The best investment we can do for our people forever is to educate and train our children and our workforce,” he said.
In addition, Kilili worked diligently on legislation aimed at granting permanent residence status to long-term foreign workers in the CNMI, an effort he said would support the territory's economy and workforce stability.
