Diego Benavente

Diego Benavente
Chair of the Northern Mariana Islands Republican Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
August 28, 2023
Preceded byCandace Celis
6th Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
In office
January 14, 2002 – January 9, 2006
GovernorJuan Babauta
Preceded byJesus Sablan
Succeeded byTimothy Villagomez
8th Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
In office
January 10, 1994 – January 10, 2000
Preceded byThomas P. Villagomez
Succeeded byBenigno Fitial
Personal details
Born
Diego Tenorio Benavente

(1959-04-21) April 21, 1959 (age 65)
Saipan, Mariana Islands, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (now Northern Mariana Islands)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseVicky Iriarte
EducationCollege of Southern Idaho

Diego Tenorio Benavente (born April 21, 1959) is a Northern Mariana Islander politician who served as the sixth lieutenant governor of the Northern Mariana Islands from January 14, 2002 to January 9, 2006, under former Governor Juan Babauta.

Biography

Diego Tenorio Benavente was born April 21, 1959. He graduated from Carmel High School in 1977. He then attended the College of Southern Idaho receiving an education in electrical engineering. Upon returning from Idaho, he started his own business.[1] Benavente first ran for election in 1987, when he narrowly lost his bid for election to the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives in Precinct II by just six votes.[2] However, Benavente was elected to the House in his second campaign in 1989.[2] He served in the House for six consecutive terms, including three terms as the Speaker of the House.[2] He left the House in 2000 to run for Lieutenant Governor in 2001.

Benavente was elected Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands as the running mate of Juan Babauta in the 2001 gubernatorial election.[2] In the 2005 election, the Babauta-Benavente ticket finished third of four candidates with Benigno Fitial and his running Timothy Villagomez of the Covenant Party winning the election.[3]

Benavente announced his candidacy for Governor in the 2009 election on December 11, 2008.[2] However, Benavente dropped out of the race in February 2009 leaving two candidates - Heinz Hofschneider and Juan Babauta - in the race for the Republican nomination.[4]

Benavente was again elected to the CNMI House of Representatives in 2007.[2] He is currently serves as the Minority Leader of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives as of April 2011.[5]

Benavente was elected president of the CNMI Republican Party on August 28, 2023.[6]

References

  1. ^ Deleon Guerrero, Joseph P. (August 12, 2011). "House Resolution 17-65" (PDF). Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Donato, Agnes E. (2008-12-12). "Diego launches bid for governor". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  3. ^ McPhetres, Samuel F. (2007). "Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands". The Contemporary Pacific: A Journal of Island Affairs. 19 (1). University of Hawaiʻi Press: 190. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  4. ^ Deposa, Moneth (2009-02-27). "Diego backs out of gubernatorial race". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  5. ^ Eugenio, Haidee V. (2011-04-01). "Benavente calls on the public to air concern on lifting of net fishing ban". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  6. ^ -Press Release (August 28, 2023). "Benavente is elected president of the CNMI Republican Party". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
1994–2000 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
2002–2006 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by
Candace Celis
 Chair of the Northern Mariana Islands Republican Party
2023–present 		Incumbent
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