19 Nov 2008

Sablan confirmed as first CNMI delegate to US Congress

1:50 pm on 19 November 2008

After more than 900 absentee ballots were counted in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Gregorio Sablan has been confirmed as the winner in the territory's first US congressional election.

Mr Sablan won 23 percent of the vote, three percent more than his closest rival, Pete A. Tenorio.

The absentee ballot count revealed that the two rivals matched almost vote for vote.

79 percent of registered voters participated in the historic election.

Delegate-elect Sablan is now in Washington to attend a briefing for new members.