CNMI Democrats hail US blue wave as political tsunami

Democrats in the Northern Mariana Islands are celebrating their party's sweeping victories in the U.S. midterm elections, calling the blue wave that swept across the mainland a repudiation of President Donald Trump and a possible turning point for the Commonwealth's political and economic future.

Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands vice chair Stephen Woodruff said the results should send a clear message to Republican leaders both in Washington and the CNMI.

“The blue wave is the future and CNMI leaders and the public should take note,” Woodruff said.

“NMI Democrats anticipated and predicted the blue wave which is actually not a wave but a tsunami. Americans everywhere are fed up with Republican corruption and incompetence, especially in connection with the economy.”

According to The Associated Press, Democrats captured control of both chambers of Congress in the Nov. 3 elections, capitalizing on voter dissatisfaction with the economy, rising living costs, and the policies of the Trump administration.

The results set the stage for divided government during Trump's remaining two years in office, with Democrats gaining greater influence over federal spending, legislation, and congressional oversight.

Woodruff said the Democratic victories could also have implications for the CNMI, accusing Republicans in Washington, D.C. of undermining the Commonwealth's economy.

“Republicans in Washington are not doing anything for the CNMI. In fact, they are actively undermining our economy while seeking to exploit our resources without assuring benefit to us or providing environmental protection.”

He also criticized what he described as political favoritism and misuse of federal resources, arguing that economic policies should benefit ordinary residents rather than politically connected interests.

“Boost the people, not the privileged and connected, and you will get an economy of substance that can sustain the public consistently for years to come.”

Jeff Race, who has organized and participated in local demonstrations critical of Trump's administration, was equally emphatic, interpreting the Democratic victories as evidence of widespread opposition to Trump.

“Bottom line—Texas hates Trump. South Carolina hates Trump. Kansas hates Trump. America hates Trump,” Race said.

Meanwhile, CNMI guest worker advocate Kelvin Rodeo, author of “Shadows in Paradise: The Dark History of the CNMI Guest Worker Program,” said the Democratic victories could offer new opportunities for Filipinos and other longtime foreign workers seeking improved immigration status.

Rodeo said Democrats' traditional emphasis on humanitarian issues could provide a more receptive audience for Filipino organizations and guest worker advocates.

“For the Filipinos back home in the Marianas, it also bodes well for their situation, because it opens up another window of opportunity for them to fight for the improved status that they deserve after their many years and decades of servitude in our islands,” he said.

Rodeo also expressed hope that the national Democratic momentum would carry over into the CNMI's Nov. 20 gubernatorial runoff, throwing his support behind the independent ticket of Rep. Blas Jonathan “BJ” T. Attao and House Speaker Edmund Villagomez against Republican former governor Ralph DLG Torres and Benjamin Mendiola Jones Jr.

The blue wave, however, has yet to make the same impact in the Commonwealth, where Republicans retained control of the Senate and Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds easily defeated independent Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero, whose campaign manager was former Democratic delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan.

The governorship remains the biggest unresolved contest. CNMI Democrats have traditionally supported independent candidates against Republicans, including in the 2022 gubernatorial runoff when the Democratic ticket endorsed independents Arnold I. Palacios and David M. Apatang, who subsequently defeated Torres.

For her part, Irene Nepomuceno Holl, the CNMI Republican Party's national committeewoman, acknowledged that King-Hinds would have to work with a Democratic-controlled Congress but expressed confidence in her ability to navigate the changing political landscape.

“Kimberlyn needs to work with a Democrat Congress but knowing Kim, she’ll be okay,” Holl said.

“We went through the process. People chose who they thought are the best people to serve. We have to respect that,” she added.

Holl said the local GOP's election efforts would also help lay the groundwork for the 2028 elections.