Blas T. Attao
Blas Attao | |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives | |
| In office January 14, 2019 – January 10, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Rafael Demapan |
| Succeeded by | Edmund Villagomez |
| Member of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives from the 3rd district | |
| Assumed office January 12, 2015 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Blas Jonathan Tenorio Attao |
| Political party | Independent (before 2018, 2022–present) Republican (2018–2022) |
| Education | Boise State University |
Blas Jonathan Tenorio Attao[1] is a Northern Mariana Islander politician. He serves as a member for the 3rd district of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives.[2] He first took office January 12, 2015.[3] He is an independent candidate for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands in the 2026 election.[4]
Early life and career
He attended Boise State University. Attao served as a legislative assistant in the Legislative Bureau during the 15th through 19th Commonwealth Legislatures.[4][5]
Political career
Attao was elected as an independent candidate in 2014.[4] He was reelected in 2016, 2022, and 2024 as an independent, while winning reelection on the Republican ticket in 2018 and 2020. At the start of the 21st Commonwealth Legislature, Attao was unanimously elected the Speaker of the House.[6] During this time, Attao oversaw the creation of the first bipartisan ethics commission.[7] In the 22nd Commonwealth Legislature, Attao did not run for reelection as Speaker and nominated Edmund Villagomez for the position. After a contentious election for Speaker, Attao was elected unanimously to serve as Vice Speaker.[8]
In July 2025, he announced his campaign for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands in the 2026 election on an independent ticket with his successor as Speaker Edmund Villagomez.[4]
References
- ^ "Members of the House of Representatives, 23rd NMC Legislature". Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ DLG Tudela, Marian (March 14, 2025). "16th Anniversary Ceremony of Founding of the Chalan Kanoa Leadership Memorial Kiosku Courtyard" (PDF). Letter to General Public. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Erediano, Emmanuel (July 13, 2025). "Attao to run for governor, names Villagomez as running mate". Marianas Variety. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ Rosario, Venetia S. (House Journal Clerk) (January 4, 2019). "Speaker Blas Jonathan "BJ" T. Attao's Statement" (PDF). Legislative Journal of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives. 21 (1): 20. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
rank served in the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th Legislatures while I was still working as a legislative staff member
- ^ Rosario, Venetia S. (House Journal Clerk) (January 14, 2019). "1st Day, First Regular Session" (PDF). Legislative Journal of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives. 21 (1): 6. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
House Clerk Linda B. Muña: Madame Speaker Pro Tem, all 19 members present voted for Representative Blas Jonathan "BJ" Tenorio Attao to the Office of the Speaker.
- ^ Perez, Jon (March 20, 2019). "House paves way for bipartisan housekeeping". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- ^ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (January 18, 2021). "Yumul: I'm still a Republican". Marianas Variety. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
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