Vinnie Sablan
Vinnie Sablan | |
|---|---|
 Sablan in 2021 | |
| Floor Leader of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate | |
| In office January 11, 2021 – January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Justo Songao Quitugua |
| Succeeded by | Corina Magofna |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 31, 1978 |
| Party | Independent (before 2021) Republican (2021–present) |
| Education | Northern Marianas College University of Phoenix (BS) |
Vinson Edward Flores "Vinnie" Sablan[1] is a Northern Marianan politician who served as a member of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate from the 3rd district.
Early life and career
[edit]Sablan was born August 31, 1978.[2][3] Sablan has associate degree in computer applications and business administration from Northern Marianas College and a bachelor's degree in management from University of Phoenix. Sablan was a Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality laboratory manager at the time of his first election.[4]
Political career
[edit]Sablan was first elected to public office in 2014, when he won one of two seats to represent the 4th district in the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives.[4] He was elected to the Northern Mariana Islands Senate in the 2018 general election alongside Justo Songao Quitugua.[5] In January 2021, at the start of the 22nd Commonwealth Legislature, Sablan was elected Floor Leader of the Senate to succeed Justo Songao Quitugua.[6] Later that month, he was unanimously elected the chairman of the 22nd Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation.[7] He was an independent aligned with the Republican-led majority[7] until joining the Republican Party in July 2021.[8] Sablan was a candidate for lieutenant governor of the Northern Mariana Islands in the 2022 gubernatorial election.[3]
As of November 2025, he is the chief of staff to Lieutenant Governor Dennis Mendiola.[9]
In November 2025, he announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination to run for governor in 2026.[10] He withdrew from the Republican primary on February 26, 2026, in order to run for the Northern Mariana Islands Senate.[11]
References
[edit]- ↑ Sanches, Venetia A. (House Journal Clerk) (January 12, 2015). "Call of the Roll by Election Precincts" (PDF). House Legislative Journal. 19 (1): 3. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
- ↑ Rosario, Venetia S. (Journal Clerk) (August 31, 2021). "2nd Day, Second Regular Session" (PDF). CNMI Legislative Journal. 22 (4). Retrieved May 10, 2024.
Leila Haveia F.C. Staffler: Thank you, Speaker. I just like to put on record happy birthday to our Chairman of Vinnie Sablan who is off-island, but it is his birthday today. I was told.
- 1 2 Limol, K.-Andrea Evarose (16 August 2021). "Ralph & Vinnie in 2022". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
Torres, 42, and Sablan, 43, planned to make their official announcement on Aug. 6, the governor's birthday.
- 1 2 "Winning independent bet backs HY" (Press release). Saipan Tribune. November 18, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ↑ "2018 CNMI General Election Results". Commonwealth Election Commission. Archived from the original on 2019-06-16. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
- ↑ Kaipat, Frances Joan P. (Senate Journal Clerk) (January 14, 2019). "SJ 21-01 First Day" (PDF). CNMI Senate. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- 1 2 Erediano, Emmanuel T. (January 28, 2021). "Sen. Sablan is Saipan delegation chairman". Marianas Variety. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ↑ De La Torre, Ferdie (August 3, 2021). "Torres says GOP blessed to have Sen. Sablan". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ↑ Manglona I, Thomas (November 13, 2025). "CNMI gubernatorial race takes shape". Marianas Press. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
- ↑ Manabat, Bryan (November 13, 2025). "Former senator Vinnie Sablan announces CNMI gubernatorial bid". Isla Public Media. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ↑ Manglona II, Thomas (February 26, 2026). "Sablan to run for Senate, withdraws intent to seek GOP nomination for governor". Marianas Press. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
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