Vinnie Sablan
Vinnie Sablan | |
|---|---|
 Sablan in 2021 | |
| Majority 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 | Vinson Flores Sablan August 31, 1978 |
| Party | Independent (before 2021) Republican (2021–present) |
| Education | Northern Marianas College University of Phoenix (BS) |
Vinson 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
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
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
- ^ "BREAKING NEWS: Torres names Sen. Vinson Sablan as his running mate". Saipan Tribune. 2021-08-15. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ a b 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.