Arnold Palacios facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arnold Palacios
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| 10th Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2023 |
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| Lieutenant | Dave Apatang |
| Preceded by | Ralph Torres |
| 12th Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands | |
| In office January 14, 2019 – January 9, 2023 |
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| Governor | Ralph Torres |
| Preceded by | Victor Hocog |
| Succeeded by | David M. Apatang |
| 19th President of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate | |
| In office January 10, 2017 – January 14, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Frank Borja |
| Succeeded by | Victor Hocog |
| 13th Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives |
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| In office January 14, 2008 – January 11, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Oscar M. Babauta |
| Succeeded by | Froilan Tenorio |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Arnold Indalecio Palacios
22 August 1955 Saipan, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (now Northern Mariana Islands) |
| Political party | Republican (before 2021, 2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Independent (2021–2024) |
| Education | Portland State University (BS) |
Arnold Indalecio Palacios was born on August 22, 1955. He is a politician from the Northern Mariana Islands. He is currently the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands, a position he has held since 2023.
Before becoming Governor, he served as the Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands from 2019 to 2023. He has also been a member of both the Northern Mariana Islands Senate and the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives. Arnold Palacios made history by becoming the first independent candidate to be elected as Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands.
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Early Life and Family
Arnold Palacios was born on August 22, 1955, in Saipan. He went to Portland State University and earned a degree in business administration.
He is married to Wella Sablan Palacios. They have four children together: Arnold Gerard, Nicole, Tiana, and Eric.
Political Journey
Arnold Palacios has held many important roles in the government of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Serving in the House of Representatives
Palacios represented District 3 in the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives. This district includes parts of Saipan and the Northern Islands. He became the Speaker of the House on January 14, 2008.
Running for Lieutenant Governor
In the 2009 election, Palacios ran for Lieutenant Governor alongside Heinz Hofschneider. They won the first round of voting. However, they lost in the second round to Benigno Fitial.
From 2010 to 2014, Palacios worked as the Secretary of the Department of Lands and Natural Resources. He served under Governor Eloy Inos during this time.
Becoming a Senator
In the 2014 election, Palacios was elected to the Northern Mariana Islands Senate. He was sworn in as a Senator on January 12, 2015. He was chosen by his fellow Senators to be the Floor Leader.
Lieutenant Governor and Governor
In the 2018 election, Governor Ralph Torres chose Palacios as his running mate. They won the election, and Palacios became the 12th Lieutenant Governor.
In 2021, Palacios decided to run for Governor himself. He chose David M. Apatang as his running mate. Palacios announced he would run as an independent candidate, meaning he was not part of a major political party at that time.
He came in second place in the first round of the 2022 election. The Democratic candidate, Tina Sablan, then supported Palacios in the second round. Palacios won the second round, becoming the first independent candidate to win a gubernatorial election in the Northern Mariana Islands.
After winning, Palacios appointed several Democrats to his team. This included Leila Staffler, who had been Tina Sablan's running mate.
See Also
In Spanish: Arnold Indalecio Palacios para niños
- List of party switchers in the United States
