Politics of the Northern Mariana Islands takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic system, whereby the Governor is head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. The Northern Mariana Islands is an unincorporated territory of the United States, and in a political union with it in the form of a commonwealth. Executive power is exercised by the governor. Legislative power is vested in the two chambers of the legislature. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Local government is carried out through four regional mayors.
The Northern Mariana Islands and the United States of America reached a Covenant Agreement which became fully effective on November 4, 1986. The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands became effective on January 1, 1978.
Executive branch
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | Dave Apatang | Independent | July 23, 2025 |
| Lieutenant Governor | Dennis Mendiola | Republican | July 23, 2025 |
Department Level Cabinet Positions
| Department | Head | Political Party | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Finance | Secretary David DLG. Atalig | ||
| Department of Community and Cultural Affairs | Secretary Robert Hunter | ||
| Department of Labor | Secretary Vicky Benavente | ||
| Department of Lands and Natural Resources | Secretary Anthony T. Benavente | ||
| Department of Commerce | Secretary Mark O. Rabauliman | ||
| Department of Corrections | Commissioner Ramon C. Mafnas | ||
| Office of Planning and Development | Secretary James Ada | Republican Party | |
| Department of Public Safety | Commissioner Robert A. Guerrero | ||
| Office of the Attorney General | Attorney General Joey San Nicolas | 2012 | |
| Department of Public Lands | Secretary Marianne Concepcion-Teregeyo | ||
| Office of the Public Defender | Public Defender Doug Hartig |
Sub-cabinet level divisions and offices
| Office or division | Head | Political Party | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Office | Special Assistant for Administration Mathilda A. Rosario | ||
| Public Information and Protocol Office | Press Secretary Kevin Bautista | ||
| Liaison Office | |||
| Programs and Legislative Review Office | Special Assistant Victoria Guerrero |
Legislative branch
The Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature has two chambers. The House of Representatives has 20 members, elected for a two-year term from seven districts. The Senate has 9 members, elected for a four-year term in two staggered classes.
Prior to January 2009, the Commonwealth maintained an elected "Resident Representative" in Washington, DC. As authorized by Pub. L. 110–229 (text) (PDF), the Commonwealth now elects a nonvoting delegate to the U.S. Congress, similar to other U.S. insular areas. The first election was held on November 4, 2008.
Political parties and elections
Judicial branch
Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court
Federal representation
In November 2008, the Northern Mariana Islands held its first election for a delegate to the United States Congress. Gregorio "Kilili" Sablan won the election, and began his term of office in January 2009. The delegate serves as a member to some House committees and may vote in those committees, but the delegate is not permitted to vote on bills up for vote among all members of the House.
International organization participation
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (associate)
- INTERPOL (subbureau)
- Pacific Community
Political culture
Historically the Northern Mariana Islands have been subject to the colonizing powers of Spain, Germany, Japan, and the United States under a United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Agreement. Each power contributed elements that mixed with local indigenous cultures to form the current political culture of the Northern Mariana Islands.
United States citizenship was granted in 1986. Politics in the Northern Mariana Islands is often "more a function of family relationships and personal loyalties" where the size of one's extended family is more important than a candidate's personal qualifications. Both scholarly works and the authors of the controversial website Saipansucks.com charge that this is nepotism carried out within the trappings of democracy.[page needed]
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