Who's running for the Northern Mariana Islands' delegate to Congress
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Researched by Ballot Explained and checked against the sources cited on this page. Last reviewed . How we research · Report a correction
2 candidates · ballot order · Kimberlyn King-Hinds currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
A Labor Stabilization Bill on the CNMI's foreign-worker needs before the CW-1 program ends after 2029, developed with input from the business community.
Building an investment climate, especially lower power and shipping costs and an adequate labor supply, rather than "creating a list of industries."
Disaster mitigation so the islands "can't keep putting up these tin roofs" and instead build homes that can withstand storms.
Connecting local businesses and workers to federal and military contracts, and investing now in trade skills for the buildup.
Working across party lines: "You build relationships before you need them."
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Delegate since January 2025. Won the 2024 election with 40.3% in a five-way race, ahead of Democrat Ed Propst (33.3%).
Committees in the 119th Congress: Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Veterans' Affairs.
Former chair of the Commonwealth Ports Authority, member of the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission, and chair of the Northern Marianas College board of regents (2002-2006).
Announced a federal funding bill with an additional $21.4 million for CNMI Medicaid.
Introduced legislation on labor stabilization and power generation in August 2026.
Drew the first ballot position in the Commission's draw.
Arguments in favor
Her bipartisan work has produced results, including the Small Business Access Act, in-state tuition for students from the territories, and $21.4 million more for CNMI Medicaid. Her working relationships with the Trump administration and with House Democrats let her advocate for the CNMI "regardless of who holds the Speaker's gavel."
— Kimberlyn King-Hinds, in written answers to Kandit News
"Leadership isn't about knowing all the answers. It's knowing who to ask." She consulted veterans, utility officials and business leaders before drafting bills, rather than having Washington define the CNMI's problems.
— Kimberlyn King-Hinds, at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce delegate forum, as reported by Marianas Variety
Arguments against
King-Hinds has had two bills signed into law, both as a co-sponsor, against seven for former Delegate Sablan and 18 for Guam's Moylan. "You talk about dropping a bill, it's more like dropping the ball": major bills belonged in "the first 100 days of a term, not the last 100 days before an election."
— Galvin Sablan Deleon Guerrero, her independent opponent, at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce forum and in a campaign statement, as reported by Marianas Variety
Her utility-relief bill would draw largely on existing Covenant funds rather than a new federal appropriation, and her buildup measures fund "yet another study" and three more service-academy seats instead of concrete investment.
— Galvin Sablan Deleon Guerrero, in a campaign statement published by Marianas Variety and Kandit News
What we couldn’t verify
Whether her labor-stabilization and power bills can advance before the 119th Congress ends.
New federal investment in the Marianas, rather than "simply moving money around" from existing Covenant funds, to lower utility costs.
Moving beyond the CW foreign-worker program to "start fresh with a better deal for the Marianas", with certainty for businesses and long-term workers.
Concrete buildup investment in local jobs, businesses and infrastructure, plus Army and Navy ROTC programs that serve hundreds of students.
A faster, more responsive FEMA, through legislative and administrative changes, so the CNMI can "build back better."
Giving qualified CNMI small businesses a realistic chance at military contracts, including an APEX Accelerator program.
Defending birthright citizenship under the Covenant.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
President of Northern Marianas College. Previously president of Mount Carmel School.
Says he helped secure the grant that brought the Small Business Development Center back to the CNMI.
Nephew of former Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (2009-2025), who chairs his campaign. Deleon Guerrero chaired all eight of Sablan's campaigns.
Has not said which party he would caucus with if elected. He has met the CNMI Democratic Party and talks with Republicans and independents.
Drew the second ballot position in the Commission's draw.
Arguments in favor
With Attao and Villagomez as governor and lieutenant governor and Deleon Guerrero as delegate, the Commonwealth "will have one voice" in Washington.
— Rep. Blas Jonathan Attao and Speaker Edmund Villagomez, independent candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, who endorsed him at his filing, as reported by Marianas Variety
Arguments against
His account of the federal system is mistaken: FEMA has historically operated on a reimbursement basis, not switched to one recently. And federal contracting opportunities do not automatically mean every local business has the workforce, experience or infrastructure to compete; local capacity has to be built first.
— Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds, his Republican opponent, at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce forum, as reported by Marianas Variety
What we couldn’t verify
Which party he would caucus with in the House. He says he will decide after the election.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
The Northern Mariana Islands elects one delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives for a two-year term. The delegate can introduce bills and vote in committee but cannot cast a final vote on the House floor. There is no primary. Candidates qualify by filing nominating petitions with the Commonwealth Election Commission, and two are on the November 3 2026 ballot, in this order as drawn by the Commission: Republican incumbent Kimberlyn King-Hinds and independent Galvin Sablan Deleon Guerrero. Because the CNMI holds no primary for this office, federal law (48 U.S.C. § 1752) elects the delegate by plurality: whoever gets the most votes wins, and there is no runoff. Roster from the Commonwealth Election Commission's 2026 candidate listing, cross-checked with Marianas Variety and Kandit News.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
The ballot in the Northern Mariana Islands also carries legislative seats and other territory offices that we do not cover. They are listed, with registration and early-voting dates and how the winner is decided, on the Northern Mariana Islands page.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Commonwealth Election Commission.