From 1978 to 2009, in accordance with the territory's Constitution, the Northern Mariana Islands elected a Resident Representative in Washington, D.C. who was not considered an official member of Congress.[1] They served two-year terms until 1990, when the terms were increased to four years.
Pursuant to Pub. L.110–229 (text)(PDF), the Northern Mariana Islands first elected a non-voting delegate to Congress in 2008, replacing the Resident Representative. Among nine candidates, independent candidate Gregorio Sablan won the election with 24% of the votes, and incumbent Resident Representative Pedro Agulto Tenorio (Republican) came in second with 21%. Sablan won re-election six times as an independent, but announced in 2021 that he would run as a Democrat for the 2022 election.[2]
List of Resident Representatives
Resident Representatives of the Northern Mariana Islands[1]