Diego Benavente
Encyclopedia
Diego Tenorio Benavente is a Northern Mariana Islands
politician
. Benavente, a Republican, served as the Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
under former Governor Juan Babauta from January 14, 2002, to January 9, 2006.
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. However, Benavente successfully won election to the House in his second campaign in 1989. He served in the House for six consecutive terms, including three terms as the Speaker of the House. He left the House 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. He served in office from 2002 to 2006. Babauta and Benavente lost their bid for re-election in 2005
to Covenant Party
candidate Benigno Fitial and his running mate, Timothy Villagomez.
Benavente announced his candidacy for Governor in the 2009 election
on December 11, 2008. 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.
Benavente was again elected to the CNMI House of Representatives in 2007. He is currently serves as the Minority Leader of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
as of April 2011.
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. Benavente, a Republican, served as the Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has a self governing government consisting of a locally elected governor, Lieutenant Governor and the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature. The current Lieutenant Governor is Eloy Inos, who was appointed to fill the vacancy created when...
under former Governor Juan Babauta from January 14, 2002, to January 9, 2006.
Benavente first ran for election in 1987, when he narrowly lost his bid for election to the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
The Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives is the lower house of the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature.In the 2007 election cycle, the CNMI House membership was increased from 18 to 20...
in Precinct II by just six votes. However, Benavente successfully won election to the House in his second campaign in 1989. He served in the House for six consecutive terms, including three terms as the Speaker of the House. He left the House to run for Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
in 2001.
Benavente was elected Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has a self governing government consisting of a locally elected governor, Lieutenant Governor and the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature. The current Lieutenant Governor is Eloy Inos, who was appointed to fill the vacancy created when...
as the running mate
Running mate
A running mate is a person running together with another person on a joint ticket during an election. The term is most often used in reference to the person in the subordinate position but can also properly be used when referring to both candidates, such as "Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen were...
of Juan Babauta in the 2001 gubernatorial election. He served in office from 2002 to 2006. Babauta and Benavente lost their bid for re-election in 2005
Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election, 2005
The Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election of 2005 were the closest gubernatorial election in history, and resulted in the election of Benigno Fitial as Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. Fitial narrowly defeated independent Heinz Hofschneider and incumbent Republican Governor Juan N...
to Covenant Party
Covenant Party (Northern Mariana Islands)
The Covenant Party is a political party in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands advocating government and financial reform. In the legislative elections of 2003, the Covenant Party won nine of eighteen seats. In the 2005 elections, the Covenant Party increased its position as one of the...
candidate Benigno Fitial and his running mate, Timothy Villagomez.
Benavente announced his candidacy for Governor in the 2009 election
Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election, 2009
The Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election, 2009 was held on November 7, 2009 to determine the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands....
on December 11, 2008. However, Benavente dropped out of the race in February 2009 leaving two candidates - Heinz Hofschneider
Heinz Hofschneider
Heinz Sablan Hofschneider is a Northern Mariana Islands politician. Hofschneider served as the Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives until 2003....
and Juan Babauta - in the race for the Republican nomination.
Benavente was again elected to the CNMI House of Representatives in 2007. He is currently serves as the Minority Leader of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
The Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives is the lower house of the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature.In the 2007 election cycle, the CNMI House membership was increased from 18 to 20...
as of April 2011.