A senator on Saipan is being forced to step down because a provision in the Northern Marianas constitution prevents him from holding office while running for lieutenant governor.
Ray Yumul said after careful consideration he has decided to resign from the Senate, announcing his move in a posting on social media.
According to the constitution, an elected public official has to resign from office upon certification to be a candidate for another public office, if the term of the office sought begins before the end of the term of the office held.
Mr Yumul is running with independent gubernatorial candidate, Heinz Hofschneider.
The two figure in a four-way race this November that also includes the incumbent Eloy Inos and his running mate Senate President Ralph Torres of the Republican Party.
