NOV. 03 2026: 10:10 PM UPDATE: BREAKING: Torres, King-Hinds lead CNMI early voting
Former governor Ralph DLG Torres and his running mate Benjamin Jones lead the CNMI gubernatorial race based on early voting results released by the Commonwealth Election Commission late Tuesday night, Nov. 3, while incumbent Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds has a commanding lead in her reelection bid.
Torres and Jones received 2,778 votes, followed by independent candidates Benjamin Jonathan “BJ” Attao and Edmund Villagomez with 2,158 votes, and Lawrence Camacho and Edith Deleon Guerrero with 622 votes.
Torres leads Attao by 620 votes, but the results remain preliminary as election-day votes have yet to be included.
In the race for U.S. delegate, King-Hinds received 3,441 votes against Galvin Sablan Deleon Guerrero's 2,057 votes, giving the Republican incumbent a 1,384-vote advantage.
For attorney general, Joaquin DLG Torres leads with 2,149 votes, followed by Jonathan Glass with 1,665 and Michael Evangelista with 1,622.
Saipan Mayor Ramon "RB" Camacho also enjoys a substantial early lead in his reelection bid, receiving 4,145 votes against Joseph Mendiola's 818 votes.
In the Northern Islands mayoral race, Keli Tenorio leads incumbent Valentino Taisacan Jr., 81-53. Tinian mayoral candidate Antonio Borja and Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog are running unopposed.
In the Senate contests, Vinnie Sablan and Celina Babauta occupy the top two positions on Saipan, while Francisco Cruz and Jude Hofschneider lead on Tinian. Donald Manglona leads Tito Hocog II on Rota, 101-87.
Early voting results also show the following candidates occupying the available seats in the House of Representatives:
- Precinct 1: Roy Ada, Vincent Aldan, Cecilia Fitial, Janet Maratita, Diego Camacho, and John Demapan Jr.
- Precinct 2: John Paul Sablan and Daniel Aquino Jr.
- Precinct 3: Marissa Flores, Ralph Yumul, Elias Rangamar, Edward Arriola Jr., Andrew Orsini, and Yvette Sablan.
- Precinct 4: James Benjamin and Malcom Omar.
- Precinct 5: Leila Staffler and Angelo Camacho.
- Precinct 6 (Tinian): Joseph Santos.
- Precinct 7 (Rota): Julie Ogo.
Meanwhile, the proposal to hold a constitutional convention received 3,249 yes votes against 1,828 no votes, representing 64% support among early voters.
Chief Justice Alexandro Cruz Castro also received strong support for retention, with 4,389 yes votes against 824 no votes.
The figures represent early voting only and do not determine the final winners. The standings could change as election-day and other outstanding ballots are added to the count.
The CEC is expected to update the results as additional votes are tabulated.
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