How Gov. Palacios’ death recasts the Northern Marianas’ political terrain

David Apatang was sworn in by Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro as the CNMI's new governor on July 24, 2025 at the Governor's Office conference. Photo courtesy of the Office of the CNMI Governor

By Bryan Manabat

Saipan— The sudden death of Gov. Arnold Palacios has reshaped the Northern Mariana Islands’ political landscape, altering the prospects of the 2026 gubernatorial election.

CNMI residents saw a whirlwind of events in July. Palacios died on July 23, just hours after being medevaced to Guam, where he was admitted to Guam Regional Medical City for treatment. He was 69.

The very next day, David Apatang, the lieutenant governor, was sworn in as governor, while Senate President Dennis Mendiola assumed the role of lieutenant governor.

Apatang, a Vietnam War veteran, former lawmaker and former Saipan mayor, will complete Palacios’ unfinished term through January 2027.

Palacios earlier announced plans to seek reelection under the Republican Party, despite having run as an Independent with Apatang in 2022—a move that drew criticism from some GOP leaders. Their victory was backed by an Independent-Democrat coalition, with endorsements from Democratic candidates Christina Sablan and Leila Staffler.

With long years of political experience under his belt, Apatang now faces the challenge of maintaining coalition support and proving his leadership.

Although he hasn’t declared a 2026 candidacy, he has publicly supported Independent gubernatorial hopefuls Blas Jonathan Attao and Edmund Sablan Villagomez, both of whom have strong voter backing and undefeated election records.

The Republican Party, which lost the governorship in 2022, may field candidates such as Mendiola or the former governor, Ralph Torres. The former governor, who survived impeachment attempts in 2022, has retained a loyal supporter base but has not announced his intentions.

Torres first assumed the governorship in 2015, following the death of then-Gov. Eloy Inos. After serving Inos' remaining term, Torres won the 2018 gubernatorial race with Palacios as his running mate.

In 2022, Torres lost his reelection bid to Palacios, with whom he had a falling out at the height of corruption allegations against their administration.   

The Democratic Party is also expected to compete, with Christina Sablan considered a likely contender due to her strong reformist platform. Gregorio “Kilili” Sablan, the CNMI’s former delegate to the U.S. Congress, remains a popular figure and potential candidate.

Other notable names include businessman Jose “Joe” Ayuyu, Democratic Sen. Celina Babauta, former Republican Sen. Vinnie Sablan, Independent Edith Deleon Guerrero and former House representative Edwin Propst.

The 2022 election highlighted the growing influence of independent voters, a trend expected to continue. Many are disillusioned with traditional party politics and favor candidates who offer transparency and practical solutions.

With shifting alliances and a wide field of possible contenders, the 2026 gubernatorial race is shaping up to be competitive and unpredictable, centered on leadership, coalition-building and the future of the CNMI.

The CNMI economy remains in recovery, facing challenges in tourism, investment and federal funding. Palacios had pushed for diversification and reduced reliance on a single foreign market—a policy met with mixed reactions.

The next governor must address these issues while promoting sustainable growth.

Meanwhile, Apatang will now take the lead in the 902 talks with the U.S. government, inheriting Palacios’ vacated seat. A week prior to his departure, Palacios reached an agreement with U.S. negotiators to accelerate the pace of the 902 consultations, aiming to settle key issues on the table “as quickly as possible.”

During a virtual meeting on July 16, the negotiating teams formalized procedural issues, setting a clear direction and an accelerated schedule for future meetings focusing on the priorities listed by the CNMI. 

“We are dedicated to making significant strides through the 902 consultations, and this renewed collaboration with President Trump’s administration marks an important step forward,” Palacios said after the meeting. “Our efforts will help us open opportunities that these 902 discussions present for our CNMI residents.”

The CNMI is seeking the resumption of long-term financial assistance, pledged by the U.S. through the Covenant, to subsidize the local government’s operations and support economic development initiatives.

Section 702 of the pact authorized the appropriation of “guaranteed annual levels of direct grant assistance” to the CNMI for each of the seven fiscal years following the effective date of the Covenant provision.   

The CNMI is expected to receive $27 million in Covenant funding. However, Section 702 funding ended on Sept. 30, 2003.

Meanwhile, a regional security expert commended the late governor for his efforts to combat corruption and for holding the line against China’s influence in the CNMI.

“Gov. Palacios recognized the threat posed by China to CNMI and the United States,” said Col. Grant Newsham, author of "When China Attacks: A Warning to America” and a retired U.S. Marine who served in the Indo-Pacific.

Palacios, came into office in 2023 as the CNMI’s 10^th governor, at the height of investigations against Torres, who was accused of misusing federal Covid funds.

Newsham praised Palacios for calling on the FBI to investigate the alleged mismanagement of approximately $1.6 billion in federal funding allocated to the CNMI during the pandemic era.

“Let’s see if Gov. Palacios’ successors take up his call for serious U.S. government-led investigations into the corruption that has squandered CNMI citizens’ prosperity for too long, while lining a select few pockets in CNMI and elsewhere,” Newsham wrote in an op-piece submitted to the Pacific Island Times.

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