The Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) holds its general election on November 3, 2026, with races for governor, the territory’s nonvoting United States House delegate, all 20 seats in the CNMI House of Representatives, six of nine Senate seats, four mayoral contests, and two ballot questions. Early voting runs October 27 through November 2. Pasquines is tracking all five territory elections this cycle through election day and beyond.
Governor’s race
The death of Governor Arnold Palacios in July 2025 reshaped the political landscape ahead of 2026. Lieutenant Governor David M. Apatang assumed the governorship and declined to seek a full term, instead endorsing independent candidate Blas Jonathan “BJ” Attao, a former House speaker. Apatang’s endorsement was joined by that of former United States House Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D).
Three tickets are on the ballot. Former Governor Ralph DLG Torres (R) is running alongside Kagman High School principal Benjamin Jones Jr., centering his campaign on economic recovery and his record navigating federal disaster funding—though Torres also faces lingering scrutiny over ethics controversies from his prior tenure. Attao is running with current House Speaker Edmund Villagomez under the slogan “A Voice for All,” emphasizing transparency, accountability, and what they describe as responsible governance. The third ticket pairs Lawrence F. Camacho, the CNMI’s commissioner of education since 2024, with former Senate President Edith DeLeon Guerrero under the slogan “Strength. Courage. Patience.”—built around a 90-day economic stabilization plan that includes auditing government spending and publishing an Economic Recovery Blueprint. A ticket must win more than half the votes or the top two face a runoff.
At a gubernatorial debate organized by Marianas Press, the sharpest divide emerged over the ongoing United States military buildup on the islands. Attao demanded that contractors comply with local tax law and that local workers receive equal opportunity in military contracts. Torres stressed protecting CNMI land and reducing training missions. Camacho proposed strategic negotiation and positioning CNMI facilities as military supply hubs. Healthcare, budget priorities, and the future of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation also separated the three, with Camacho proposing reforms to the referral system, Torres calling for Medicaid expansion through private partnerships, and Attao advocating for mobile clinics and preventive care investment.
The territory’s economy has been battered by the collapse of its casino industry, COVID-19’s effect on tourism, and repeated typhoon damage—making the governor’s race a referendum on how to rebuild.
Delegate race
Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R), who flipped the Northern Mariana Islands’ nonvoting delegate seat to Republican in 2024 after Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D) held it for over a decade, is seeking reelection. She is being challenged by Galvin Sablan Deleon Guerrero (I), president of Northern Marianas College. King-Hinds has campaigned on continuity and her record in Washington, including securing a CNMI provision in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. Deleon Guerrero has focused on education, workforce development, and strengthening the territory’s voice in federal relations.
At two candidate debates—one organized by the CNMI Society of Professional Journalists and one by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce—King-Hinds and Deleon Guerrero clashed over the economy, federal funding, and the military buildup. Deleon Guerrero argued for a more diversified economy and stronger advocacy in DC; King-Hinds pointed to her record and said she would “never stop fighting for the people of the CNMI.”
Legislative race
Six of nine Senate seats are up, with contested races in all three districts. On Saipan and the Northern Islands, seven candidates are competing for two seats, including Senator Celina Babauta (D) and Senator Vinnie Sablan (R), who had earlier explored a gubernatorial run. Tinian, Aguiguan, and Rota each have their own contested Senate contests.
All 20 House of Representatives seats are on the ballot across seven districts. The largest races are in District 1, covering San Antonio, San Vicente, Dandan, and Koblerville, where 13 candidates are competing for six seats, and District 3, covering San Jose, Oleai, and Garapan, where 12 candidates are vying for six seats.
Local races and ballot questions
Four mayoral races are also on the ballot. On Saipan, Joseph Mendiola (I) and Ramon Camacho (I) are competing, while Northern Islands has Keli Tenorio (R) and Valentino Taisacan (I). The Tinian and Rota mayoral races are uncontested. Three municipal councils and the composition of the board of education will also be selected during this election.
Voters will also decide two ballot questions: whether to retain Supreme Court Justice Alexandro Cruz Castro, and whether to convene a constitutional convention. The latter was placed on the ballot by executive order by Governor Apatang on September 14, 2026, after the Legislature did not act—and notably does not appear on the Commonwealth Election Commission’s specimen ballot.
The attorney general race features three nonpartisan candidates: Michael Norita Evangelista, Joaquin Deleon Guerrero Torres, and Jonathan Robert Glass.
Polls will open from 7 am to 7 pm ChST on November 3, 2026, with results expected soon after.
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