The 2026 Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Northern Mariana Islands. In the 2022 election, Arnold Palacios was elected with 54.14% of the vote. He was eligible to run for re-election in 2026, but died on July 23, 2025.[1] David M. Apatang, who was sworn in on July 23, 2025 as Palacio's successor, announced on March 29, 2026 that he would not seek a full term, and instead endorsed Blas T. Attao.

Background

A governing coalition made up of independents and Democrats has governed the Northern Mariana Islands since 2023. In the 2024 general election, Republicans won the open US delegate seat while independents not aligned with the Palacios administration made modest gains in the legislature.[2] The Republican National Committee announced Palacios rejoined the Republican Party after the 2024 elections. Palacios' return received a lukewarm to hostile reception from local Republicans.[3][4] Governor Arnold Palacios died on July 23, 2025, and was succeeded by lieutenant governor David M. Apatang.[1]

Candidates

Independents

Declared

Declined

Endorsements

Blas T. Attao
Statewide officials
U.S. Representatives

Republican Party

Declared

Withdrawn

Declined

General election

The general election will be held on November 3, 2026.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Rabago, Mark; Gilbert, Haidee E. (July 23, 2025). "CNMI Gov. Arnold Palacios dies Wednesday night, hours after airlifted to Guam for medical treatment". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  2. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (February 19, 2025). "Ada is new House minority leader". Marianas Variety. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  3. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (January 2, 2025). "Year in Review 2024: Governor rejoins Republican Party; local GOP not amused". Marianas Variety. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  4. ↑ Roberto, Andrew (January 20, 2025). "Republicans gather to discuss governor, future of party". Marianas Variety. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 Erediano, Emmanuel (July 13, 2025). "Attao to run for governor, names Villagomez as running mate". Marianas Variety. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Floyd, Raquel (May 21, 2026). "PSS Commissioner to resign in June amid gubernatorial run". Marianas Press. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 Rabago, Mark. "Apatang, Kilili endorse Attao-Villagomez tandem | Marianas Press". marianaspress.com. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  8. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (December 13, 2025). "Ralph to run for governor". Marianas Variety. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  9. ↑ Mangloña II, Thomas (March 20, 2026). "Former governor Torres to run with Benjamin Jones Jr., seeks GOP support for gubernatorial ticket". Marianas Press. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  10. ↑ Manglona II, Thomas (February 26, 2026). "Sablan to run for Senate, withdraws intent to seek GOP nomination for governor". Marianas Press. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Northern_Mariana_Islands_gubernatorial_election