Keli Tenorio, lawyer question Taisacan’s absence at preliminary proceeding

Northern Islands mayoral candidate Keli Tenorio and her attorney questioned why incumbent Mayor Valentino Taisacan did not personally appear in Superior Court last Oct. 7 as the court held a preliminary proceeding on Taisacan’s challenge to Tenorio’s eligibility.

Taisacan was represented at the hearing by attorney Joseph E. Horey. Michael Dotts represented Tenorio, while Sean Frink appeared for the Commonwealth Election Commission.

Speaking after the hearing, Tenorio said she was disappointed Taisacan was not there as the residency dispute returned to another forum after previously going before the CEC.

“He never shows up. Mayor Val never shows up,” Tenorio said. “I don't know why. Come face me.”

Tenorio said the court challenge has also caused confusion among voters over whether she will remain on the ballot.

“I mean, people are confused right now whether I'm on the ballot or not,” she said. “And we cleared that before. 100%.”

Dotts also questioned Taisacan’s absence while acknowledging that the mayor has the right to challenge the CEC’s decision.

“It was kind of odd he didn't even bother to show up in court today,” Dotts said.

The Oct. 7 proceeding was preliminary and focused on the CEC record, written arguments, and deadlines.

Associate Judge Lillian Ada Tenorio did not rule on the merits of Taisacan’s challenge or decide whether Keli Tenorio is eligible to remain on the ballot.

Taisacan is asking the Superior Court to review the CEC’s earlier decision certifying Tenorio as a candidate for Northern Islands mayor.

The CEC voted 4-1 on Aug. 28 to certify Tenorio after considering Taisacan’s challenge to her Northern Islands residency.

At Tuesday’s proceeding, Judge Tenorio asked for written transcripts of the CEC hearings and the documents and other records that were before the commission when it made its decision.

The certified CEC record is expected to be filed with the court by Oct. 13. The parties will also submit written briefs and responses before oral arguments.

Dotts said the court must first look at the record used by the CEC.

“So the judge has to look at the transcript of what happened at the election commission,” Dotts said. “There were documents that were submitted. Those documents that went to the election commission will go to the judge.”

Oral arguments are scheduled for Oct. 23 at 9am, ahead of the Nov. 3 general elections.

Dotts said an expedited schedule is important because early voting is already underway.

“The court set an expedited schedule so we can get a decision before November 3,” he said.

Keli Tenorio acknowledged that dealing with the challenge is taking time away from her campaign.

“Yeah, it's eating up, but we're going to get through this and we'll get through it,” she said. “I will win this case.”

Judge Tenorio has not indicated how she will rule on Taisacan’s challenge.