David M. Apatang
Dave Apatang | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lieutenant Governor-elect of Northern Mariana Islands | |
| Assuming office January 9, 2023 | |
| Governor | Arnold Palacios (elect) |
| Succeeding | Arnold Palacios |
| Mayor of Saipan | |
| Assumed office January 12, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Marian Tudela |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Mundo Apatang July 10, 1948 |
| Political party | Republican (before 2021) Independent (2021–present) |
| Spouse | Antonia Pangelinan Mafnas (deceased 2016) |
| Education | San Francisco State University (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1967–1987 |
| Rank | First Sergeant |
David Mundo Apatang (born July 10, 1948)[1][2] is a Northern Mariana Islander politician who has served as the mayor of Saipan since January 12, 2015. He is the lieutenant governor-elect of the Northern Mariana Island. As a Republican, Apatang formerly served in the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives.[3] Apatang was elected lieutenant governor of the Northern Mariana Islands in the 2022 election on an independent ticket headed by Arnold Palacios.[4]
Education
While in the Army, Apatang earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech and communications from San Francisco State University.
Career
Military service
Apatang[5] served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1987.[6] A Vietnam War veteran, Apatang was stationed at various times in Vietnam; the Panama Canal Zone; Würzburg, Germany; Fort Lewis in Washington; Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana; and Fort Jackson in South Carolina. He ended his career at Fort Jackson and served on its courts-martial council. He retired with the rank of fiirst sergeant in 1987.[7]
Following his military service, Apatang served in local government. He served seven consecutive terms in the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives.[6]
Commonwealth Legislature
Atapang was elected to the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives in the 1995 general election. He was the second highest vote-getter in Saipan's Precinct 1.[8] Apatang ran for the Senate in 2001 on behalf of the Covenant Party in the Northern Mariana Islands Senate's 3rd district.[9] In the 2005 gubernatorial election, Apatang ran for Lieutenant Governor as the running mate of Heinz Hofschneider. While both Hofschneider and Apatang were Republicans, they ran as independents.[10] In a four-way race, the Hofschneider – Apatang ticket lost to Benigno Fitial and Timothy Villagomez of the Covenant Party by a single point.[11]
Mayor of Saipan
Shortly after the death of Donald Flores, the mayor of Saipan, Apatang announced his candidacy for the position.[5] Apatang, running as an independent, defeated Republican candidate Jose Alguto Reyes and Democratic candidate Antonio Pinaula Mareham in the 2014 general election.[12] Apatang succeeded Marian Tudela, the acting Mayor appointed after Flores's death.[13] He is currently serving his second term which ends January 2023.[14] His wife, Antonia Pangelinan Mafnas, died in Hawaii on December 14, 2016.[7][15] He was sworn in on January 12, 2015.[16] In 2021, the House passed a resolution to honor Apatang's 50 years of service to the people of the CNMI.[14]
2022 lieutenant gubernatorial election
Apatang is currently a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands in the 2022 election, running on an independent ticket headed by incumbent lieutenant governor Arnold Palacios.[4]
References
- ^ "Apatang celebrates 70th birthday with fundraiser". 15 July 2018.
- ^ "Saipan Mayor's Office on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-27.[user-generated source]
- ^ Evarose Limol, K-Andrea (April 28, 2021). "Apatang may endorse GOP hopeful for mayor". Marianas Variety. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ a b "BREAKING NEWS: Palacios to run for governor in 2022". Saipan Tribune. 2021-10-20. Retrieved 2021-11-28.
- ^ a b Dayao, Jun (June 11, 2014). "David Apatang announces his candidacy for Saipan mayor". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ a b "The Mayor of Saipan". Municipality of Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Vote #6 David Mundo Apatang" (PDF). Marians Variety. Vol. 23, no. 170. October 23, 1995. p. 2. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ Munar, Mar-Vic C. (November 6, 1995). "GOP by Landslide" (PDF). Vol. 23, no. 170.
- ^ Limtiaco, Steve (November 3, 2001). "Large turnout expected at CNMI polls". Pacific Daily News. p. A4.
- ^ Hernandez, Criselda B. (2005). "Politics: 4-Way Gubernatorial Election Heats Up". Islands Business. Archived from the original on 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ McPhetres, Samuel F. (2007). "Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands" (PDF). The Contemporary Pacific: A Journal of Island Affairs. 19 (1). University of Hawaiʻi Press: 190. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ Guerrero, Robert A.; Hofschneider, Donald M. (August 13, 2014). "Commonwealth Resolution Number CEC 14-001" (PDF). Letter to General Public. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ "CNMI Governor Appoints New Mayor For Saipan: Tudela, who finished second in elections, takes over after Flores' death". Saipan Tribune. June 4, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
- ^ a b De La Torre, Ferdie (7 January 2021). "House of Reps honors Mayor Apatang with resolution". The Saipan Tribune. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ Santos, Michael T. (December 16, 2016). "Saipan mayor's wife passes away". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
- ^ "Apatang is sworn in as the new mayor of Saipan". 12 January 2015.
