Arnold I. Palacios
2023 - Present
2027
2
Arnold I. Palacios (Republican Party) is the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. He assumed office on January 9, 2023. His current term ends on January 11, 2027.
Palacios (independent) ran for election for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. He won in the general runoff election on November 25, 2022.
On December 24, 2024, Palacios announced he was registering with the Republican Party.[1]
Biography
Arnold I. Palacios earned a B.S. in business administration from Portland State University. Palacios' career experience includes working as the director of the Division of Fish & Wildlife.[2][3]
Elections
2022
See also: Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022
General runoff election
General runoff election for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
Arnold I. Palacios defeated incumbent Ralph Torres in the general runoff election for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands on November 25, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Arnold I. Palacios (Independent) | 54.1 | 7,394 | |
| Ralph Torres (R) | 45.9 | 6,263 | ||
| Total votes: 13,657 | ||||
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General election
General election for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
Incumbent Ralph Torres and Arnold I. Palacios advanced to a runoff. They defeated Christina Sablan in the general election for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ralph Torres (R) | 38.8 | 5,728 | |
| ✔ | Arnold I. Palacios (Independent) | 33.2 | 4,890 | |
| Christina Sablan (D) | 28.0 | 4,132 | ||
| Total votes: 14,750 | ||||
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Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ralph Torres did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Palacios' campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Issues & Priorities The phenomenon we are currently experiencing, is difficult to tackle, and at the same time a problem we cannot afford to ignore. This problem affects the economy and social vitality of our Commonwealth. It erodes trust in our public agencies and processes and undermines the healthy functioning of markets and competition. It negatively affects already limited public budgets and helps organized crime groups do their dirty work. Recent events have made it clear that the scale of the problem is serious. Our determination to seek a higher public office is guided by our philosophy of serving others with honesty, integrity, and transparency, and putting the leadership skills we have gained throughout our careers to work in the service of others. Our combined years of service to our CNMI community has given us the opportunity to personally interact with our community during their most difficult moments and for that, I have a better understanding of the needs of our people. The challenges we are facing with this pandemic puts stronger focus on making sure that taxpayers money is not wasted through dishonesty or other financial mismanagement. Leaders must avoid becoming entrenched in self-interests and making decisions on matters that are inconsistent with our morals and values. We deserve leaders that are trustworthy. We deserve a Commonwealth that is clean, safe and vibrant, where we can expect economic growth without sacrificing our cultural and social values.
An administration where leadership is based on a core set of proven values to rebuild trust in our government.
An administration that will promote economic growth by policies that will streamline the processes for all businesses and individuals to succeed, while also promptly responding to public needs.
An administration that will prioritize students, teachers, and schools for both youth and adults so that all of our citizens can enjoy economic security and aspire towards their goals.
An administration that will take responsibility for its actions, no matter the outcome, in its journey to rebuilding trust and projecting the CNMI forward.
An administration that will promote opportunity and fair competition for everyone, not a predetermined few.
An administration that views small businesses as partners in creating a thriving economy and therefore will level the playing field by fairly enforcing regulations and progressive policies that help support small businesses.[4] |
” |
| —Arnold I. Palacios' campaign website (2022)[5] | ||
See also
2022 Elections
Government
| Northern Mariana Islands | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
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Candidate Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands |
Officeholder Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ KUAM News, "Republican National Committee welcomes Governor-elect Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Governor Arnold Palacios to the Republican Party," December 24, 2024
- ↑ Rebuilding Trust: Arnold and Dave 2022, "Meet Arnold & Dave," accessed December 1, 2022
- ↑ CNMI Office of the Governor, "Lt. Governor Arnold I. Palacios," accessed December 1, 2022
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Rebuilding Trust: Arnold and Dave 2022, “On the Issues,” accessed October 12, 2022
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ralph Torres (R) |
Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands 2023-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands 2019-2023 |
Succeeded by David Apatang |
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