How should the CNMI rebuild its economy, stabilize its workforce, streamline government, and strengthen infrastructure against future typhoons?
Those were among the central questions posed to the three candidates for lieutenant governor last Wednesday, Aug. 5, during the 2026 CNMI Lt. Governor Candidates Business Forum hosted by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce at Kensington Hotel, where the candidates offered competing visions for the Commonwealth's future.
Before the debate began, Chamber president Joshua Wise said the questions were drawn from submissions by Chamber members and consolidated to reflect the business community's priorities, including leadership, government efficiency, economic diversification, workforce stability, and utility reliability. He reminded candidates to keep their responses focused on policy rather than personal attacks.
Participating were House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, running with independent gubernatorial candidate Blas Jonathan "BJ" Attao; Republican Benjamin Jones, running with former governor Ralph DLG Torres; and independent Edith Deleon Guerrero, running with for Education commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho.
The debate opened with a leadership question asking why each candidate chose to seek the office of lieutenant governor and what made their gubernatorial ticket the right team to lead the CNMI.
Villagomez said his decision to join Attao's ticket came naturally because of their longstanding working relationship.
"We've gone through differences but we always come back to the table to square out those differences and we never get detracted from the main goal and that is to take care of the people of the CNMI," Villagomez said.
Jones said Torres selected him because of his work in the community and education, while he viewed his own role as complementing Torres' economic experience.
"I'm the boot on the ground while this guy is going to be out there actively getting investors," Jones said. "I'm very passionate and committed."
Deleon Guerrero pointed to Camacho's military service and said their combined leadership experience and professional networks would position them to lead the Commonwealth.
"Our combination of leadership, capacity, and serving our Commonwealth is there for our people," she said.
Asked about their first 100 days in office, Villagomez said transparency would be the administration's starting point.
"Progress begins when we get a clear picture," he said, adding that qualified Cabinet appointments and improvements to the one-stop permitting process would follow.
Jones said an incoming administration should immediately begin implementing its plans by appointing qualified Cabinet officials and launching what he described as an "economy first" strategy along with an energy solution plan.
Deleon Guerrero said a transition team should evaluate every government agency, with particular emphasis on reviewing the Commonwealth's financial condition and federal expenditures.
The candidates were then asked how they would approach raising the minimum wage.
Villagomez said the Commonwealth should first determine what constitutes a realistic living wage through research and analysis.
Jones said higher wages ultimately depend on economic growth and cautioned against placing additional burdens on businesses before the economy improves.
Deleon Guerrero noted that while the federal minimum wage remains $7.25 an hour, prevailing wage requirements already apply to many occupations through the foreign labor certification process.
Audience members also asked how the candidates would address long-standing blighted properties across the islands.
Villagomez said an administration under his ticket would continue supporting zoning enforcement while working with lawmakers to improve implementation of existing laws.
Jones said many abandoned properties remain tied up in probate proceedings and argued those issues should be resolved to encourage redevelopment.
Deleon Guerrero likewise supported stronger zoning enforcement, saying the CNMI must improve its appearance if it expects to attract more visitors.
The second policy segment focused on government efficiency.
Asked whether the government has grown too large, Jones said the issue should be viewed in relation to the economy.
"Right now, the government looks large because our economy is small," Jones said, adding that economic growth would help sustain public services.
Deleon Guerrero said payroll costs could gradually decline through attrition while maximizing federal grants to offset local expenditures.
Villagomez said government first needs an accurate assessment of staffing levels before cross-training employees and filling critical positions.
Candidates also discussed how they would use approximately $660,000 in discretionary funding available to the lieutenant governor's office.
Jones said he would prioritize hiring an economist and building a communications team to improve transparency.
Deleon Guerrero likewise supported hiring an economist, noting she and Camacho had already discussed the issue.
Villagomez said he would use the funding to hire key professional staff, including an economist and legal adviser, while supporting community initiatives.
Asked how they would attract outside investment, Jones said prospective investors should create jobs for local residents while protecting the islands' resources.
Deleon Guerrero highlighted the CNMI's favorable tax structure and stressed compliance with labor laws and local hiring.
Villagomez said government should maximize existing tax incentives while streamlining the investment process across agencies.
The candidates also identified priorities they would raise during future Section 902 consultations with the federal government.
Jones said immigration and workforce issues would remain among his priorities while continuing to work with Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds.
Deleon Guerrero cited workforce stability, infrastructure funding, essential air service and tourism.
Villagomez said workforce stability and economic development would remain top priorities while also seeking federal funds he said are owed to the CNMI.
Economic diversification dominated the final prepared segment.
Asked which industries should help reduce the Commonwealth's reliance on tourism, Deleon Guerrero pointed to financial services, entrepreneurship, and environmentally sustainable industries.
Villagomez said government should encourage industries that create broader economic activity while promoting CNMI-made products.
Jones said he would pursue opportunities in pharmaceuticals, ship repair and advanced manufacturing while continuing to support agriculture and fisheries backed by resilient infrastructure.
All three candidates said they support maintaining the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program and Annex VI, arguing both remain important economic tools for the Commonwealth.
Each candidate also said he or she supports King-Hinds' labor stabilization legislation extending the CW worker program while emphasizing the need to continue developing the local workforce.
Asked about imposing the 15% occupancy tax on Airbnb and other short-term rentals, all three generally supported applying the law consistently with the hotel industry.
The debate concluded with a discussion on utilities and infrastructure.
Deleon Guerrero repeatedly called for hardening public infrastructure so residents regain electricity and water more quickly after major storms.
"We need to harden our infrastructure," she said. "We cannot continue to be waiting for power and water for 30 days, 60 days, 90 days."
Villagomez said stabilizing the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., expanding renewable energy projects, and encouraging additional solar generation should remain priorities.
Jones said the Commonwealth must modernize its infrastructure so residents and businesses can recover more quickly after future typhoons.
During their opening statements, Villagomez introduced his ticket's platform as "a transparent voice, a fundamental voice, a responsible voice, and a decisive voice."
Jones focused on economic recovery, arguing that government should support investors and businesses while pointing to what he described as Torres' previous economic accomplishments.
Deleon Guerrero said her campaign with Camacho seeks to restore confidence in government through financial stability, accountability and long-term planning.
In their closing statements, Villagomez urged voters to judge candidates by "our track record" and commitment to transparency.
Jones told the audience, "I am not new to leadership," citing his years in education while pledging to focus on rebuilding the economy.
Deleon Guerrero closed by encouraging entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and long-term economic self-sufficiency as the CNMI charts its future.
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