Benigno R. Fitial
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Benigno Fitial | |
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Incumbent | |
Assumed office January 9, 2006 |
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Lieutenant | Timothy P. Villagomez |
Preceded by | Juan N. Babauta |
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Born | November 27, 1945 Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands |
Political party | Covenant Party |
Spouse | Josie Fitial |
Profession | Financial Executive |
Benigno Repeki Fitial (born November 27, 1945) is the current governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Fitial was elected on November 6, 2005. He previously served as CNMI House Speaker. A member of the Covenant Party, Fitial is a resident and former representative of Precinct 3, which includes parts of Saipan and the northern islands.
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[edit] Governorship
Fitial is the sixth elected governor of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), having been sworn in during 2006. He defeated incumbent Republican Governor Juan N. Babauta during the 2005 gubarnatorial election with 28.1 percent of the total vote. The 2005 gubernatorial election was the closest in the history of the Commonwealth.
Fitial has faced many challenges during his term as governor, including budget shortfalls, a weak economy, and declining Japanese tourism. He implemented a dress code of business attire for all cabinet members shortly after his inauguration.[1]
Many observers and prominent publications (such as the Marianas Variety) have accused Fitial of concentrating power in his office and making decisions autocratically [1]. This includes a decision made to abolish the autonomy of at least two government agencies, with their functions being transferred to the executive [2]. The governor and his supporters have asserted that drastic measures need to be taken to cut excessive government spending during the tenure of the previous governor, Juan Babauta [3]. [4].
Fitial meets with United States Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne on Saipan, CNMI, 6 June 2007.
[edit] 2005 Gubernatorial Election Results
Candidates and nominating parties | Votes | % |
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Benigno R. Fitial - Covenant Party | 3,809 | 28.1 |
Heinz Hofschneider - Independent | 3,710 | 27.3 |
Juan Babauta - Republican Party | 3,610 | 26.6 |
Froilan Tenorio - Democratic Party | 2,442 | 18.0 |
Total | 13,517 |
[edit] Personal life
Born in 1945 and raised in a Satawalese family, Fitial graduated with honors from Saipan's Mt. Carmel High School in 1964. He also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis on business management from the University of Guam. According to his official website, he is recognized as a University of Guam "Distinguished Alumni".
Fitial is the first elected Northern Mariana governor of Carolinian decent. [5] The Carolinians are a minority group whose ancestors immigrated to the Northern Marianas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, from the Yap and Chuuk islands groups of what is now the Federated States of Micronesia. Chamorros are the majority indigenous group on the Northern Marianas and a Chamorro has tended to win in past gubernatorial elections.
The Governor is married to Josie Fitial; the couple have two children. Fitial describes himself as a "good friend" of convicted US Lobbyist Jack Abramoff, which has caused some controversy in both the Commonwealth and Washington [6].
Northern Mariana Islands |
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[edit] Work Experience
- Government:
- Speaker of the House of Representatives, 3rd, 12th, & 14th NMI Legislature
- Vice Speaker, 5th NMI Legislature
- Minority Leader, 2nd and 4th NMI Legislature
- Chief Administrative Officer, 1st NMI Legislature
- Budget Officer, 1st NMI Legislature
- Budget Analyst, Trust Territory Government
- News Director, KJQR Radio Station
- Business:
- President, Bank of Saipan
- Vice President, Tan Holdings Corporation
- Special Consultant, L&T Corporation
- President, Century Insurance Corporation
- President, Century Travel Corporation
- President, Consolidated Transportation Services Inc. (CTSI)
- President, Pacific Oriental Inc. (POI)
- President, Home Improvement (MPI)
- Politics & Civic Contributions:
- Founder, CNMI Covenant Party
- Chairman, Northern Marianas Republican Party
- Chairman, Bush for President Committee for the CNMI
- Chairman, CNMI Zoning Board
- Chairman, NMI Trusteeship Termination Task Force
- Chairman, 1st CNMI Civil Service Commission
- Chairman, Saipan Municipal Scholarship Board
- Member, CNMI Tax Task Force
- Member, Republican Presidential Task Force (US)
- Delegate, 1st Northern Marianas Constitutional Convention
- Chairman, Constitutional Convention Committee(s) on Tax, Public Debt, Education, & Local Government
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Office of the Governor, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Pacific Magazine: "The Business Governors": The Inauguration of Gov. Benigno Fitial and Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez
- Covenant Party Site
Preceded by Juan N. Babauta |
Governor of Northern Mariana Islands 2006- present |
Succeeded by incumbent |
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