Ralph Torres facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ralph Torres
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| 9th Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands | |
| In office December 29, 2015 – January 9, 2023 |
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| Lieutenant | Victor Hocog Arnold Palacios |
| Preceded by | Eloy Inos |
| Succeeded by | Arnold Palacios |
| 10th Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands | |
| In office January 11, 2015 – December 29, 2015 |
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| Governor | Eloy Inos |
| Preceded by | Jude Hofschneider |
| Succeeded by | Victor Hocog |
| President of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate | |
| In office February 20, 2013 – January 12, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Jude Hofschneider |
| Succeeded by | Victor Hocog |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ralph Deleon Guerrero Torres
August 6, 1979 Garapan, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (now Northern Mariana Islands) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Diann Mendiola Tudela |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Boise State University (BA) |
Ralph Deleon Guerrero Torres was the ninth governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. He was born on August 6, 1979. He is a member of the Republican Party from Saipan, which is part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Torres became governor on December 29, 2015, after the previous governor, Eloy Inos, passed away. He was then re-elected as governor in 2018. Before becoming governor, he served as the tenth lieutenant governor.
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Early Life and Education
Ralph Torres was born on August 6, 1979. His family is Chamorro. He was born in Garapan, which was then part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. This area is now known as the Northern Mariana Islands. His father worked for the government and a utility company. His mother was a teacher. Ralph grew up with his parents and five brothers and sisters in Koblerville.
Later, his family moved to Boise, Idaho. Ralph went to Boise High School and finished in 1996. He then studied at Boise State University, earning a degree in political science in 2001. In 2004, he started working with his brothers at their law firm, Torres Brothers, Attorneys at Law.
Political Career
Starting in the Legislature
In 2008, Ralph Torres was elected to the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives. This is part of the government that makes laws. In 2010, he was elected to the Northern Mariana Islands Senate. While in the Senate, he took on many important roles. From 2010 to 2015, he led the Health & Welfare Committee. In February 2013, he became the leader of the Senate, known as the Senate President.
Becoming Lieutenant Governor
In 2014, Ralph Torres ran for lieutenant governor. He was on the Republican Party ticket with Eloy Inos, who was running for governor. They won the election. Torres was sworn in as lieutenant governor on January 12, 2015. The lieutenant governor is like the second-in-command to the governor.
Serving as Governor
First Term and Re-election
On December 29, 2015, Governor Eloy Inos passed away. Ralph Torres, as the lieutenant governor, then became the governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. According to the rules, the Senate president at the time, Victor Hocog, became the new lieutenant governor.
In the 2018 election, Governor Torres ran for a full term. His running mate was Arnold Palacios. They won the election, defeating former governor Juan Babauta and his running mate Rita Sablan.
As governor, Torres approved a law that added a $1,000 tax on pistol purchases. This was a very high tax for the United States. However, a court later decided this tax was against the United States Constitution and removed it.
Governor Torres announced he would run for re-election in 2022. His running mate for that election was territorial senator Vinnie Sablan.
National Politics
On March 11, 2016, Governor Torres supported Donald Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primary election. He continued to support Trump in the main election later that year.
After Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, Governor Torres congratulated him. He also thanked Donald Trump for his help and support for the people of the Northern Mariana Islands. Torres mentioned that Trump had helped the islands many times, including with a law about the workforce and his response to Typhoon Yutu.
Personal Life
Ralph Torres is married to Diann Mendiola Tudela. They have six children together. Their names are Ralph Anthony, Vaniqa Marie, Deon Titus, Tristan Dane, Divannie, and Ryan. Ralph Torres is of Chamorro background.
See also
In Spanish: Ralph Torres para niños
- Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
