Vicente Castro Camacho
Vicente C. Camacho | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives from the 3rd district | |
| In office January 11, 2021 – January 13, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Jose Ilo Itibus |
| Succeeded by | Elias Rangamar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 1961 Saipan |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Isabella Hosei |
| Children | Eight |
| Residence | Saipan |
| Alma mater | Central Texas College |
| Profession | Soldier (retired) Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1983-2007 |
| Rank | Sergeant First Class |
Vicente Castro Camacho is a politician and retired United States Army soldier from the Northern Mariana Islands. He served two terms in the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives.
Early and personal life
Vicente Castro Camacho was born in February 1961.[1][2] He was raised in Saipan by his parents Isidro Salas Camacho of Gualo Rai and Maria Babauta Castro of San Roque. Camacho is a 5th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo and is the owner-operator of the Camacho Taekwondo Center. He is married to Isabella Hosei, and has eight children, and a number of grandchildren.[1]
Military career
Camacho enlisted in the United States Army in May of 1983 at the age of 22. He received training as a paratrooper and his Military Occupational Specialty was administration. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, and was later assigned to the United States European Command, and to United States Forces Korea. While in the military, he earned an associates degree in general studies from Central Texas College.[1] He retired from the Army as a Sergeant First Class in 2007. His final assignment was with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict as an administrative supervisor & security manager.[1] He continued with the United States government in civilian roles with the US Secretary of Defense, the United States Navy, and the General Services Administration.[1]
Political career
He returned to the Northern Mariana Islands in July 2011.[1] A few months after his return, he was appointed the head of the Military and Veterans Affairs Office.[3]
He was an unsuccessful candidate, running as an independent, for the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives in the 2016 and 2018 general elections.[4][5] In 2020, he was elected to the House as a Democrat as part of a resurgence in the Democratic Party.
At the start of the 22nd Commonwealth Legislature, he was named the chairman of the Committee on Federal and Foreign Affairs.[6] In the 23rd Commonwealth Legislature, he continued to serve as chairman of the Committee on Federal and Foreign Affairs. His additional committee assignments included the committees on Commerce & Tourism; Judiciary & Governmental Operations; and Ways & Means.[7] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 2024 finishing seventh of eight candidates for six seats behind the other incumbent lawmakers and first time candidate Elias Jerome Malite Rangamar.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Torres, Troy (October 29, 2021). "Ben: The Dark Horse Candidate for Governor". KANDIT News Group. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
- ^ Rosario, Venetia S. (House Journal Clerk). "Announcements" (PDF). House Legislative Journal. Vol. 23, no. 3. p. 8. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
Thank you. And yesterday was not only Valentine's Day, but it was also our Floor Leader's birthday and Rep. Yangetmai's birthday too as well. And Rep. Vicente was not too far behind too as well. So, happy birthday to our – yeah, a lot of February.
- ^ "Army retiree appointed to head the Military and Veterans Affairs Office" (Press release). Office o the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. October 8, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ De La Torre, Ferdie (August 12, 2016). "12 to battle for 6 House Precinct 3 positions". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ De La Torre, Ferdie (August 1, 2018). "Ex-governor Babauta, Sablan file candidacies". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ Rosario, Veneita S. (House Journal Clerk) (January 12, 2021). "Announcements" (PDF). CNMI House Journal. 22 (1): 27. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ Hix, Nola K. (November 9, 2023). "Request for Recognition of the Democratic Party of the Northern Marianas as a State Political Party Committee" (PDF). Letter to Federal Election Commission. p. 73. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (November 7, 2024). "Senate president and longest-serving senator lose seats". Marianas Variety. Retrieved March 31, 2025.