Dear friends,

I am pleased to announce that today I have officially filed my candidacy for the Senate.  The Senate race is an islandwide one, and this year, two seats are available for election in each senatorial district.  

Two years ago, when I was running for a seat in the House of Representatives, I made a commitment to remain true to my principles as a citizen of the Commonwealth and as a public official.  Since being elected to the House, I have strived to consistently act according to my conscience; to push for greater transparency in government, and especially in the Legislature; to be prudent and frugal in expenditures of public funds; and to speak honestly and openly about the many serious and complex issues facing the Commonwealth. 

These past two years I have also sought opportunities to encourage other citizens to consider running for public office.  The Commonwealth is in need of new, honest and visionary leaders who would bring fresh perspectives to the table of government, and who would act responsibly and conscientiously on behalf of their constituents, with the long-term interests of the Commonwealth in mind.  This year, I have been encouraged by the number of individuals fresh to politics who have announced their candidacies in the House.  Fresh perspectives are needed in the Senate as well, and I believe that I can contribute considerably in that regard. 

Many have asked me, "Why the Senate?"  I am interested in a Senate seat for several reasons, and make several commitments if elected to this office.  First, I would continue to advocate for greater transparency in the Senate as I have done these past 18 months in the House, and would continue to openly communicate my positions on the issues and actions taken in the Legislature as I have done as a member of the House. 

Second, the Senate plays an important role in many ways as a check on the actions of the lower House, which is and has been the primary source of legislation of all kinds; I would take this role as seriously as I have taken every vote I have cast as a member of the House. 

And third, I believe that as a Senator I would be in an excellent position to help improve the process by which confirmations of appointments to critical government boards and commissions are made.  Advice and consent for board and commission appointments are functions unique to the Senate for the most part, and unfortunately these functions have not been carried out as diligently as they should have been in prior years, with often negative consequences.  As Senator I would be committed to carefully scrutinizing the backgrounds and qualifications of all gubernatorial nominations, and exploring ways to improve the confirmation process formally through legislation.

As always, I welcome any questions, comments, or ideas.  I can be reached at 285-3935 or tinasablan@gmail.com .   

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Christina Sablan

Candidate for the Senate

3rd Senatorial District -- Saipan

"The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie. One word of truth outweighs the world."
- Alexander Solzhenitsyn