Tina Sablan
Member of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
from the 2nd district
In office
2019–2023
Member of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
from the 1st district
In office
2008–2010
Personal details
Born
Christina-Marie Elise Sablan

(1981-05-18) May 18, 1981
Political partyDemocratic
EducationCollege of Santa Fe (BS)
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (MUP)

Christina-Marie Elise Sablan (born May 18, 1981), also known as Tina Sablan, is a Northern Marianan politician and former news anchor in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). A member of the Democratic Party, Sablan was a member of the Commonwealth House of Representatives, representing Precinct Two.

Sablan was the Democratic Party candidate for CNMI Governor in the 2022 election, where she was the first female nominee from any major party.[1][2] Sablan finished in third place in the election. In the runoff election Sablan endorsed Arnold Palacios over incumbent Governor Ralph Torres.[3] After Palacios won the runoff election, Sablan joined his administration as a pro-bono senior policy advisor.[4][5]

Early life and education

Sablan was born to Eugenio and Carmela Sablan on Saipan on May 18, 1981. She grew up in the communities of Chalan Kanoa and Tanapag. In 2003, Sablan received her bachelor's degree (B.S.) in conservation science from the College of Santa Fe. In 2016, she received a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she also received a graduate certificate in conflict resolution.[6]

Activism and journalism career

Sablan rose to local prominence from 2005 to 2007 as a key leader in the "Beautify CNMI coalition", which organized islandwide cleanups.[7] Sablan served within the Northern Mariana Islands' Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as a waste reduction and recycling coordinator.[8]

In the realm of journalism, Sablan worked as a news reporter and anchor for KSPN2.[9] Additionally, Sablan served as program manager of the Commonwealth Cancer Association, an anti-cancer group.[10]

Commonwealth legislature

2007 election and aftermath

In 2007, Sablan was elected to the House of Representatives for the 16th Legislature, which made her the youngest member of the legislature at the time.[11] Sablan edged out independent candidate Janet Maratita for the last of the six seats in Precinct One.[12][13] However, she was defeated when she ran for Commonwealth Senate in 2009.[6] After this defeat, Sablan joined the staff of territorial delegate, Gregorio Sablan, serving as his deputy communications director and outreach coordinator.[9]

2018 election and tenure

In 2018, she returned to the House of Representatives as one of two representatives for Precinct Two, and was reelected in 2020.[11] Saban is a supporter of expanding eligibility for the earned income tax credit (EITC), and introduced legislation to repeal NMI Public Law 11-25 (1998), which limited the EITC.[14] A supporter of LGBT rights, Sablan introduced anti-discrimination legislation to add protections for gender identity and sexual orientation in housing, healthcare, and employment.[15]

As a territorial representative, she was appointed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to serve on the agency's Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee.[16] Sablan currently serves as Chair of the House Committee on Health and Welfare in the Commonwealth House of Representatives.[17] In this capacity, she testified before the United States Congress about the need to end racial disparities in healthcare.[18]

2022 gubernatorial candidacy

As early as 2008 during her first term in the territorial legislature, Sablan was speculated on as a possible future gubernatorial candidate.[19] Sablan was a gubernatorial candidate in the 2022 election, where she faced incumbent Republican Governor Ralph Torres and Independent candidate Arnold Palacios. Her candidacy was endorsed by the territorial Democratic Party, and additionally received the support of territorial delegate Gregorio Sablan.[2][20] In the November election, Sablan finished in third place with 28% of the vote.[21]

Personal life

Sablan is a resident of Susupe, a village in Saipan.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Tina Sablan says it's time for change in the CNMI". www.kuam.com. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Erediano, Emmanuel T. "NMI Democrats: Tina Sablan for governor". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  3. ↑ Gases, Leigh (November 9, 2022). "BREAKING NEWS: Sablan-Staffler team endorses Palacios-Apatang". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  4. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel (February 2, 2023). "Governor names cabinet picks". Marianas Variety.
  5. ↑ Torres, Troy (February 2, 2023). "Sablan Takes Top Governor's Office Post With No Pay, Underscoring Fiscal Crisis". Kandit News. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 Perez, Jonathan (May 3, 2019). "Rep. Tina Sablan: The conscience of the CNMI Legislature". pactimes. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  7. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel T. "Rep. Tina Sablan seeks Democratic gubernatorial nomination". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  8. ↑ Post, Emmanuel T. Erediano | For The Guam Daily. "Sablan seeks CNMI Dems' gubernatorial nomination". The Guam Daily Post. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Tina Sablan files Precinct 2 candidacy". Saipan Tribune. July 25, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Anti-cancer group elects new board members". Saipan Tribune. February 9, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  11. 1 2 "Tina: Hope on the horizon, and a refreshing future for all the Mariana Islands". KANDIT News Group. October 26, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  12. ↑ "2007 Election Results". Commonwealth Election Commission. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  13. ↑ "16th NMI Legislature to be inducted into office January 2008". Marianas Business Journal. November 26, 2007. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Sablan prefiles bill to restore EITC for working families". Saipan Tribune. February 17, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  15. ↑ Press Release. "CNMI Equality Act, gender identity bills prefiled in the House". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  16. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel T. "Rep. Tina Sablan joins EPA advisory subcommittee". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  17. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel T. "House health panel sets priorities". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Rep. Tina Sablan wants insular parity | Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan". sablan.house.gov. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Governor Tina Sablan?". Saipan Tribune. September 9, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Dems endorse Tina, Kilili". Saipan Tribune. November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  21. ↑ De La Torre, Ferdie (November 10, 2022). "Torres-Sablan wins; to face Palacios-Apatang in runoff". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
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