Saipan-- CNMI voters are giving Republican Gov. Ralph DLG Torres a fresh four-year mandate based on unofficial tally of Tuesday's general elections.
The Saipan and Tinian unofficial results are based on the early voting done from Nov. 6 to 12 and election day with absentee ballots still being counted by the Commonwealth Elections Commission at press time. Rota’s results are only based on the early votes cast from Nov. 6 to 12.
Unofficial results showed Torres and running mate Senate President Arnold I. Palacios (R-Saipan) garnering 7,053 for a decent lead against Babauta and liuetenant governor candidate Dr. Rita A. Sablan earned 4,293.
The local GOP is also on their way of the majority in the Legislature with Republican bets out to secure 13 of the 20 with Independents grabbing six seats at the House pending while clinching four of the six Senate spots up for grabs.
The Torres-Palacios ticket and the GOP keeping the majority in the coming 21st Legislature could be seen as a referendum on the Republican leadership's decision to introduce casino gaming on Saipan. It could also mean that the people of the CNMI saw the improved economy pumped in by taxes and other fees collected from casino gaming revenues.
This is a developing story. Read full story later.