Jay Santos: I think this is the right time

Business executive and former CNMI Customs director Jay Santos has formally announced his bid for the Senate in this year’s general elections, saying he is stepping into politics because he believes he can help the Commonwealth during a difficult period.

“I’m running basically because I want to help,” he said. “I know that’s a very fundamental answer, but I’ve done a lot throughout my career here in the islands, and I think this is the right time.”

Santos, who has never before held elected office, said support from his wife was critical to his decision. He recalled that after returning from a trip to the U.S. mainland last May, a casual conversation at home turned into a serious commitment.

“She said, ‘Well, this is something you’ve always wanted to do and maybe now’s the time, so we’re going to do it, and we’re going to give it our best effort, and it’s got to be all about the people.’”

Santos knows it’s a very challenging time for the CNMI, but feels he’s up for the challenge, and God-willing and hopefully by the will of the people, he’ll ultimately be allowed to serve the CNMI in the Senate.

“I want to run in the Senate because I want to help everybody island-wide. Not to say that my precinct is not important to me, it is very important, but my intentions are to see how I can help at the business level, at the island-wide level, that will affect everybody here in the islands and not just my precinct.”

Santos was the 2022 Business Person of the Year for the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and currently works for Atkins Kroll after an 18-year career at Triple J. He said his business background would allow him to provide a different and needed perspective in the upper chamber.

“Hopefully, the people will look at it as somebody who’s worked very hard to even get that kind of recognition,” he said. “Someone who obviously has the leadership skills that are needed.”

A priority, he said, is growing the CNMI’s tax base without raising taxes—though he acknowledges the solutions won’t be simple.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out… we need to grow the tax base,” he said. “How do we do that now? I don’t know. I don’t have those answers right now.”

Santos pointed to shuttered tourism properties and retail closures—including Gemkell Saipan and T Galleria by DFS— as signs of a struggling economic environment that must be addressed with urgency.

“Anytime you hear businesses closing here in the islands, it’s not a good day,” he said. “Maybe it’s an opportunity for us to sit back and rethink, reassess, and take a closer look at what our goals are.”

Tourism, he emphasized, must remain the CNMI’s No. 1 economic priority.

“We've got a great product. You know, I was at Paupau Beach on Sunday with family and friends, and, you know, the sun was going down. The water was wonderful. And I believe in our product. And, you know, what is it going to take to revive it? You know, I don't have the answer to that right now. But certainly, if I am elected, tourism is going to be the No. 1 priority.”

On casino policy, Santos said the focus should be on finally making the existing exclusive license work before considering new operators.

“We've got to be good at, you know, this one thing before we think about trying to be good with multiple, you know, casino investors. And I get it, though. And the thought was, maybe to attract more casino investors. But, you know, I think it's safe to say that we've failed miserably with the one that we've had.”

As for the military buildup, Santos said it is encouraging to see activity on Tinian but wants more direct benefits for local workers, businesses, and government revenues.

He said he’d like to see more tangible benefits, “whether it’s locals driving the trucks that’s bringing the equipment or… more construction tax,” he said.

Santos said his style of leadership would focus on collaboration, not division.

“We're such a small island, and it's just it seems like it'd be best if we had the full team involved to help everybody, as opposed to singling people out or leaving people out as part of the leadership. And I'm not, by any means, trying to make anybody look bad here, but I'm all about team effort,” he said.

With 11 months to go before election day, Santos said his campaign team will finalize platform details soon. He said he is “certainly” open to debates as the race progresses.

For now, he wants his candidacy to spark conversations at the holiday table.

“Let’s be optimistic about 2026,” he said, wishing the community a Happy New Year.