Keli Tenorio poised to unseat Taisacan as Northern Islands mayor; Camacho leads Saipan race

Republican Keli Aiken Tenorio is poised to unseat incumbent Northern Islands Mayor Valentino Taisacan Jr. following the Nov. 3 general elections, but said she would await certification of the results before declaring victory.

According to unofficial results released by the Commonwealth Election Commission Wednesday morning, Tenorio received 88 votes, or 60.3%, against independent Taisacan's 58 votes, or 39.7%, giving her a 30-vote lead.

In an interview with Marianas Press, Tenorio said she was pleased with the results and surprised at how quickly the votes were counted.

"I'm very happy. I always start with thanking the Lord that He gave me the opportunity to do this for our people," she said.

"And if everything comes out in my favor, I am very happy to be able to help our people of the Northern Islands and help them to improve their lives."

Despite her lead, Tenorio said she was reluctant to declare victory after facing challenges to her candidacy during the election period.

"I want to make sure that it is for real before I brag about it, you know," she said.

Taisacan previously challenged Tenorio's eligibility to run for Northern Islands mayor, questioning her residency qualifications. The CEC, however, voted 4-1 in August to certify her candidacy, allowing her to remain on the ballot.

Asked about the possibility of another challenge from Taisacan, Tenorio said she believed the election results should be respected.

"I think that the people spoke, the court spoke, CEC spoke," she said. "Just let it be and I would like for him to calm down and just be the resident of the islands that he is because I also will help his family as part of our islanders out there."

Tenorio also thanked her supporters, saying she hoped to encourage more Northern Islands residents to return and help rebuild their communities.

"I want to encourage everybody to continue their dream about their islands because we really do need to go home and make our islands better for our families," she said.

Tenorio said she already had plans to work on should the results be certified in her favor.

Meanwhile, on Saipan, incumbent Mayor Ramon "RB" Camacho maintained a commanding lead in his reelection bid, receiving 8,331 votes, or 81.5%, against independent challenger Joseph Mendiola's 1,892 votes, or 18.5%.

Camacho, also an independent, leads Mendiola by 6,439 votes in the unofficial count.

On Tinian, Republican Antonio San Nicolas Borja received 976 votes in the uncontested mayoral election, putting him in position to assume the island's top municipal post.

On Rota, incumbent Republican Mayor Aubry Manglona Hocog received 1,111 votes in his uncontested reelection bid.

Based on the unofficial standings, Republicans would occupy the mayoral offices of the Northern Islands, Tinian, and Rota, while independent Camacho would retain the Saipan mayoralty.

The CEC results include early voting, election-day, and absentee ballots, although no election-day precinct votes were posted for the Northern Islands mayoral race.

All results remain unofficial and subject to CEC verification and certification.