CNMI 2026 General Election

The Commonwealth Election Commission on Friday voted 4–1 to certify Keli Tenorio as a qualified candidate for Mayor of the Northern Islands, clearing the way for her to appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot despite a residency challenge filed by the incumbent.

The CEC has tabled the residency challenge against Keli Tenorio, despite objections from its chair, who argued past rulings already clarify residency intent.

The Commonwealth Election Commission will proceed with an administrative hearing in the Northern Islands mayoral race this week after hiring attorney Sean Frink to serve as its legal counsel for the 2026 election cycle, Executive Director Kayla Igitol Magofna said Monday.

Calling for a government overhaul and saying he shares conservative values, Sen. Manny Gregory Tenorio Castro has left the Democrats and aligned himself with the GOP’s gubernatorial team.

Emphasizing that the CNMI must create real opportunities for its graduates, Lawrence Camacho and Edith Deleon Guerrero launched their independent gubernatorial ticket on May 16 with a pledge to rebuild the workforce and stabilize the economy.

Former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres will run for governor with Kagman High School Principal Benjamin M. Jones Jr. as his lieutenant governor candidate in the 2026 general election, forming a Republican ticket that will face the independent team of Rep. Blas Jonathan T. Attao and Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez.