2026 Northern Mariana Islands general election
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Gubernatorial election | |||||||||||||
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Delegate election | |||||||||||||
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6 of the 9 seats in the Senate 5 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below. | |||||||||||||
All 20 seats in the House of Representatives 11 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below. | |||||||||||||
4 Mayors | |||||||||||||
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below. | |||||||||||||
The 2026 Northern Mariana Islands General election will be held on November 3, 2026, corrosponding with the 2026 United States general elections. Voters in the Northern Mariana Islands will vote for the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands, the non-voting delegate to the United States House of Representatives, attorney general, 6 seats in the Northern Mariana Islands Senate, all twenty seats in the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives, 4 mayors, seats for the various municipal councils, and seats for the board of education.
Background
Since 2023, a governing coalition made up of independents and Democrats has governed the Northern Mariana Islands since 2023. In the 2024 general election, Republicans won the open US delegate seat while independents not aligned with the Palacios administration made modest gains in the legislature.[1] The Republican National Committee announced Palacios rejoined the Republican Party after the 2024 elections. Palacios’ return received a lukewarm to hostile reception from local Republicans.[2][3]
Key issues for the 2026 election remain similar to the previous general elections, with the economy and corruption being key issues that many criticize Governor Palacios and the Democrat-Independent Coalition for failing to rectify.[4] The island’s largest industry, tourism, have not recovered since the COVID-19 Pandemic, and tourism have fallen compared to 2024 numbers.[5][6] Another issue is the Administration’s hostility to reopening the Chinese tourism market, likely due to the declining relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China.[7] The decision by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to abruptly stop processing travelers’ applications under the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) has crippled the Chinese tourism market for the CNMI.[5][8] The two weekly flights by Hong Kong Airlines have been suspended until June 16 pending reinstatement of the program.[5][8]
Gubernatorial election
Candidates
Republican Party
- Arnold Indalecio Palacios, incumbent governor of the Northern Mariana Islands (serving since 2023) former lieutenant governor (2019–2023), former president of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate (2017–2019), former member of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate (2015–2019), former Secretary of Lands and Natural Resources (2012–2015), former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Northern Mariana Islands (2008–2010).[9]
- TBD[9]
Delegate to the US House of Representatives
Republican Party president Joseph Lee Pan Guerrero has stated that reelecting Kimberly King-Hinds as Delegate remains the top priority for the party.[9] On June 20th, 2025, Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero, the president of Northern Marianas College and nephew of former delegate Gregorio Sablan, announced his candidacy as an independent.[10]
References
- ^ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (February 19, 2025). "Ada is new House minority leader". Marianas Variety. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (January 2, 2025). "Year in Review 2024: Governor rejoins Republican Party; local GOP not amused". Marianas Variety. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ Roberto, Andrew (January 20, 2025). "Republicans gather to discuss governor, future of party". Marianas Variety. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ "Tenorio Alternative Emerges in Guam; Several CNMI Politicians Organizing for 2026". KANDIT News Group. 2025-04-20. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ a b c "MARIANAS RECORDS 11,877 VISITOR ARRIVALS IN APRIL 2025 – Marianas Visitors Authority – Saipan | Tinian | Rota". Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ "March tourist arrivals down 27%". Marianas Variety News & Views. 2025-04-15. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ Rabago, Mark (2025-05-07). "'We're feeling the pinch': CNMI governor blames economic slump on geopolitical tensions". RNZ. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ a b "CNMI's tourism crisis deepens as flights drop and businesses close". Isla Public Media KPRG. 2025-06-05. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ a b c Rabago, Mark. "Marianas Press - Palacios plans to seek Republican endorsement in 2026". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
- ^ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (June 20, 2024). "NMC president to run for delegate". Marianas Variety. Retrieved June 26, 2025.