Voters will have two major opportunities in the coming weeks to hear directly from the candidates seeking to represent the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the U.S. House of Representatives, as both the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and the CNMI Society of Professional Journalists prepare separate delegate debates featuring incumbent Kimberlyn King‑Hinds and challenger Galvin Sablan Deleon Guerrero.
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce will host its 2026 U.S. Delegate Debate on Sept. 9 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, offering a nonpartisan forum focused on community engagement and voter education. The Chamber said the event is designed to give residents “an opportunity to listen, learn, and become more informed about the candidates and the issues that matter to our Commonwealth.” Admission is $10 per person.
Ahead of that forum, the CNMI Society of Professional Journalists will hold its own delegate debate at 6 p.m. Aug. 28, streamed live on the CNMI SPJ Facebook page and participating media platforms. Organized in partnership with Marianas Variety, Marianas Press, NMI News Service, and KSPN2 News, the SPJ debate will center on three core topics: the economy, federal relations, and the military. Residents are invited to submit questions for the candidates.
Both King‑Hinds and Deleon Guerrero formally filed their candidacy for the 2026 General Election at the Commonwealth Election Commission earlier this month.
Deleon Guerrero said his campaign is anchored in three values — Fighting with Hope, Fighting for Respect, Fighting to Win — emphasizing trust, dignity, and effective representation.
“We choose hope because our islands deserve trusted leaders who believe in a brighter future—even in the most difficult times,” he said. “We fight for respect because every person, every family, and every island deserves to be heard, valued, and treated with dignity. And we fight to win because the people of the Commonwealth deserve strong, effective representation that delivers real results.”
He said his campaign aims to strengthen and diversify the economy, expand opportunities for families to stay or return home, protect cultural identity, and ensure the CNMI’s voice is “heard and respected in Washington, D.C.”
King‑Hinds, who is seeking reelection, said her work in Congress has centered on economic recovery and expanding opportunities for CNMI residents. She framed her campaign around continuity and commitment.
“I will never stop fighting for the people of the CNMI,” she said. “We have come too far to turn back now. There is still work unfinished, promises to keep, and a future worth fighting for.”
She added that her focus remains on showing up, listening, and working “with everything I have for our families, our islands, and the generations that will come after us.”
With two debates scheduled within two weeks, voters will have multiple chances to hear the candidates’ priorities, contrast their approaches, and engage directly with the issues shaping the CNMI’s future.
