Dear people of the Commonwealth,

I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my fellow citizens, friends, and family members who contributed to my election campaign.  In particular, I would like to thank my parents Eugenio and Carmela Sablan for their untiring affection and for reminding me from time to time to eat and sleep; my better half Glen Hunter for his boundless love and unfailing honesty; my second mother Gloria Hunter whose home and company gave me a warm and much-needed refuge; my dearest friend Martha Mendiola, who helped me keep my sense of humor and sanity during a sometimes trying campaign; my co-treasurers Brooke Nevitt and Reina Camacho, who cheerfully and diligently kept the financial books in order; and Jessica Barcinas and Val Alepuyo, whose earnest words of conviction and encouragement ultimately convinced me to run for office in the first place.      

I am also deeply grateful to the scores of people, too numerous to list individually here, who generously assisted my campaign in one heartfelt way or another.  To all who helped collect signatures for my candidacy, spent their evenings with me in community gatherings and brainstorming sessions, went house to house with me, stuffed envelopes, passed out brochures, shared information, and freely gave of their time, resources, advice, constructive criticism, support, and prayers: thank you.

I would like to encourage my fellow citizens to begin thinking now about running for office themselves in 2009 and beyond.  A major factor in my decision to run this year was the hope that my campaign might help open the doors for new candidates in future elections, not only in the Legislature, but in all branches of government.  The CNMI needs more of its honest and visionary citizens to step forward and offer themselves to the community as candidates for leadership and public service.  That an independent first-time candidate can make it into office on a campaign based entirely on a call for good governance, without a single fundraiser, rally, billboard, bumper sticker, roadside waving, or promise of jobs is a sign that our community is indeed ready for change. 

There is no question that we face a long and difficult road ahead, but we can prevail and realize a great vision for our Commonwealth if enough caring citizens are committed to that cause. 

As always, I continue to welcome ideas, concerns, and advice from the community.  I may be reached by email at tinasablan@gmail.com, by phone at 483-3935, and here at the Commonwealth Dialogues online forum. 

Tina Sablan