Tina Sablan

Christina Marie Elise Sablan, (born May 18, 1981), also known as Tina Sablan, is a politician and former news anchor in the Northern Mariana Islands. A member of the Democratic Party, Sablan is a member of the territorial House of Representatives, representing district 2.

Tina Sablan
Member of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
from the 2nd district
Assumed office
2018
Personal details
Born
Christina Marie Elise Sablan

(1981-05-18) May 18, 1981
Political partyDemocratic
EducationCollege of Santa Fe (B.S.)
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (M.A.)

Sablan is a candidate for Governor in the 2022 election, and has been endorsed by the Democratic Party as well as territorial delegate Gregorio Sablan.[1][2] Sablan is the first woman to be nominated by a major party for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands.[3]

Early life and education

Sablan was born to Eugenio and Carmela Sablan in Saipan on May 18, 1981. Sablan grew up in the communities of Chalan Kanoa and Tanapag. In 2003, Sablan received her bachelor's degree (B.S.) in conservation science from the College of Santa Fe. In 2016, she received a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she also received a graduate certificate in conflict resolution.[4]

Activism and journalism career

Sablan rose to local prominence from 2005 to 2007 as a key leader in the "Beautify CNMI coalition", which organized islandwide cleanups.[5] Sablan served within the Northern Mariana Islands' Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as a waste reduction and recycling coordinator.[6]

In the realm of journalism, Sablan worked as a news reporter and anchor for KSPN2.[7] Additionally, Sablan served as program manager of the Commonwealth Cancer Association, an anti-cancer group.[8]

Territorial legislature

2007 election and aftermath

In 2007, Sablan was elected to the House of Representatives for the 16th Legislature, which made her the youngest member of the legislature at the time.[9] Sablan edged out independent candidate Janet Maratita for one of the seats.[10] However, she was defeated when she ran for territorial Senate in 2009.[4] After this defeat, Sablan joined the staff of territorial delegate, Gregorio Sablan, serving as his deputy communications director and outreach coordinator.[7]

2018 election and tenure

In 2018, she returned to the House of Representatives as the representative for precinct 2, and was reelected in 2020.[9] Saban is a supporter of expanding eligibility for the earned income tax credit (EITC), and introduced legislation to repeal territorial Public Law 11-25 (1998), which limited the EITC.[11] A supporter of LGBT rights, Sablan introduced anti-discrimination legislation to add protections for gender identity and sexual orientation in housing, healthcare, and employment.[12]

As a territorial representative, she was appointed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to serve on the agency's Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee.[13] Sablan currently serves as Chair of the House Committee on Health and Welfare in the territorial House of Representatives.[14] In this capacity, she testified before the United States Congress about the need to end racial disparities in healthcare.[15]

2022 gubernatorial candidacy
Main article: 2022 Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election

As early as 2008 during her first term in the territorial legislature, Sablan was speculated on as a possible future gubernatorial candidate.[16] Sablan is currently a gubernatorial candidate in the 2022 election, where she is set to face incumbent Republican Governor Ralph Torres. Her candidacy has been endorsed by the territorial Democratic Party, and has additionally received the support of territorial delegate Gregorio Sablan.[1][2]

Personal life

Sablan is a resident of Susupe, a village in Saipan.[4]

References
  1. Erediano, Emmanuel T. "NMI Democrats: Tina Sablan for governor". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved 2021-11-28.
  2. "Dems endorse Tina, Kilili". Saipan Tribune. 2021-11-03. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  3. "Tina Sablan says it's time for change in the CNMI". www.kuam.com. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  4. Perez, By Jonathan (2019-05-03). "Rep. Tina Sablan: The conscience of the CNMI Legislature". pactimes. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  5. Erediano, Emmanuel T. "Rep. Tina Sablan seeks Democratic gubernatorial nomination". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  6. Post, Emmanuel T. Erediano | For The Guam Daily. "Sablan seeks CNMI Dems' gubernatorial nomination". The Guam Daily Post. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  7. "Tina Sablan files Precinct 2 candidacy". Saipan Tribune. 2018-07-25. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  8. "Anti-cancer group elects new board members". Saipan Tribune. 2012-02-09. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  9. "Tina: Hope on the horizon, and a refreshing future for all the Mariana Islands". KANDIT News Group. 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  10. "16th NMI Legislature to be inducted into office January 2008". Marianas Business Journal. November 26, 2007. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  11. "Sablan prefiles bill to restore EITC for working families". Saipan Tribune. 2021-02-17. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  12. Release, Press. "CNMI Equality Act, gender identity bills prefiled in the House". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  13. Erediano, Emmanuel T. "Rep. Tina Sablan joins EPA advisory subcommittee". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  14. Erediano, Emmanuel T. "House health panel sets priorities". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  15. "Rep. Tina Sablan wants insular parity | Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan". sablan.house.gov. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  16. "Governor Tina Sablan?". Saipan Tribune. 2008-09-09. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
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