Embedded Files
01/06/25 - Kimberlyn King-Hinds has made history as the second-ever elected delegate to U.S. Congress from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Her election marks a significant milestone in the territory's political landscape.
After eight-term Democratic Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan announced his retirement, King-Hinds, a Republican, seized the opportunity to launch a robust campaign, utilizing both social media and direct outreach to voters. In a competitive five-way race, she secured 40.34% of the vote in the November midterm election.
As CNMI residents awoke on Saturday morning, King-Hinds was sworn in at the nation’s capital, officially ushering in a new era of leadership for the CNMI in the 119th Congress.
“It is a very surreal moment to be honest, to be on the floor sitting amongst members and having the privilege of representing the people of the CNMI,” King-Hinds said in a phone interview with Marianas Press just after being sworn in. “This is something that I am really committed to. I am just really excited to get to work.”
King-Hinds' election is historic in several ways. Not only is she the first female delegate to represent the CNMI in Congress, but she is also the first Republican and the first native of Tinian elected to that seat.
King-Hinds campaigned on a platform focused on revitalizing the local economy. She shared that she has engaged in discussions with other members of Congress about the CNMI’s pressing challenges, including labor shortages and infrastructure concerns.
King-Hinds is preparing for her first organizational meetings as a member of both the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
“That would also help develop the strategy in terms of how do we start addressing some of these things that I have committed to working on,” King-Hinds said. “I am ready. I am fully committed…I am excited to get to work.”
-----
Story and video by Thomas Manglona II
Report abuse