Democrats struggle with recruitment in the Northern Mariana Islands

For the upcoming 2026 general election, the Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands (DPNMI) has faced a challenge when trying to recruit candidates. 

Party chair Annie Terlaje Picklesimer shared her concerns with The Marianas Press in December 2025. 

“Right now, it’s really hard with the economy so bad,” she explained, “People just don’t really want to commit.” 

At the time of the interview, only two candidates had confirmed their intent to run. These candidates were Secretary of Labor Leila Fleming Staffler and bilingual teacher Peter Muna. However, Picklesimer remained hopeful, predicting that more people would submit their intent by the original deadline of February 1, 2026. 

By February 1, however, only four additional candidates had submitted letters of intent. The DPNMI extended the deadline to February 6.

The DPNMI was also waiting for letters from potential mayoral candidates for the regions of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands. 

Regarding the extended deadline, Picklesimer said, “There might be some interested individuals who are not ready yet… maybe in the future they might have a change of heart and join our party.” 

The extended deadline allows for more candidates to submit letters at the last minute. If the DPNMI still does not receive any letters, then certain elected roles will not have a democratic nominee. 

Through all the obstacles, Picklesimer assures that the Democratic Party is “ready to tackle the issues. It’s not going to be easy but, you know, they will work hard to help the CNMI.” 

On February 24, Senator Joe San Agustin (D) and former Senator Dwayne San Nicolas (D) filed their candidacy for the 2026 primary elections. In a statement from the campaign team, San Agustin conveys that they “enter(ed) this race not for personal ambition, but to answer the call for accountable, honest, and visionary leadership that our people deserve.” Additionally, on February 25, Speaker Anthony Ada (R) and Edward John Calvo confirmed their candidacy for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, respectively. The campaign emphasized that “This is more than a campaign, it’s a movement to restore trust in government…and to ensure that every family has the opportunity to thrive right here at home.”