Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
David Apatang
2025 - Present
0
David Apatang (independent) is the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. He assumed office on July 23, 2025.
Apatang (independent) ran for election for Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. He won in the general runoff election on November 25, 2022.
On July 23, 2025, Apatang was elevated to Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands following the death of Arnold I. Palacios.[1]
Biography
David Apatang was born in Guam. Apatang graduated from George Washington High School. He served in the U.S. Army and reached the rank of First Sergeant. His career experience includes working as the chief of procurement and supply and the acting director of finance and accounting with the Department of Finance from June 1987 to January 1996. He also worked as the state director of the U.S. Selective Service System from 1990 to 1996. Apatang served as mayor of Saipan from January 2015 to January 2023, in the Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature from January 1999 to January 2011, and was a member of the Saipan, Northern Islands Municipal Council of the Northern Marianas Commonwealth from January 1997 to January 1999.[2]
Political career
Below is a list of offices within Ballotpedia’s scope. Offices outside of that scope will not be listed. If an update is needed and the office is within our scope, please contact us.
Apatang's political career includes the following offices:
- 2025-present: Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
- 2023-2025: Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
Elections
2022
See also: Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022
General runoff election
General runoff election for Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
David Apatang defeated Vinnie F. Sablan in the general runoff election for Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands on November 25, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | David Apatang (Independent) | 54.1 | 7,394 |
 | Vinnie F. Sablan (R) | 45.9 | 6,263 | |
| Total votes: 13,657 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
General election
General election for Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
Vinnie F. Sablan and David Apatang advanced to a runoff. They defeated Leila Staffler in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Vinnie F. Sablan (R) | 38.8 | 5,728 |
| ✔ | | David Apatang (Independent) | 33.2 | 4,890 |
 | Leila Staffler (D) | 28.0 | 4,132 | |
| Total votes: 14,750 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
David Apatang did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Apatang's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Issues & Priorities The phenomenon we are currently experiencing, is difficult to tackle, and at the same time a problem we cannot afford to ignore. This problem affects the economy and social vitality of our Commonwealth. It erodes trust in our public agencies and processes and undermines the healthy functioning of markets and competition. It negatively affects already limited public budgets and helps organized crime groups do their dirty work. Recent events have made it clear that the scale of the problem is serious. Our determination to seek a higher public office is guided by our philosophy of serving others with honesty, integrity, and transparency, and putting the leadership skills we have gained throughout our careers to work in the service of others. Our combined years of service to our CNMI community has given us the opportunity to personally interact with our community during their most difficult moments and for that, I have a better understanding of the needs of our people. The challenges we are facing with this pandemic puts stronger focus on making sure that taxpayers money is not wasted through dishonesty or other financial mismanagement. Leaders must avoid becoming entrenched in self-interests and making decisions on matters that are inconsistent with our morals and values. We deserve leaders that are trustworthy. We deserve a Commonwealth that is clean, safe and vibrant, where we can expect economic growth without sacrificing our cultural and social values.
An administration where leadership is based on a core set of proven values to rebuild trust in our government.
An administration that will promote economic growth by policies that will streamline the processes for all businesses and individuals to succeed, while also promptly responding to public needs.
An administration that will prioritize students, teachers, and schools for both youth and adults so that all of our citizens can enjoy economic security and aspire towards their goals.
An administration that will take responsibility for its actions, no matter the outcome, in its journey to rebuilding trust and projecting the CNMI forward.
An administration that will promote opportunity and fair competition for everyone, not a predetermined few.
An administration that views small businesses as partners in creating a thriving economy and therefore will level the playing field by fairly enforcing regulations and progressive policies that help support small businesses.[3] |
” |
| —David Apatang's campaign website (2022)[4] | ||
See also
| Northern Mariana Islands | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Marianas Variety, “NMI mourns loss of Gov. Palacios; Apatang, Mendiola sworn in" accessed July 21, 2025
- ↑ Office of Lt. Governor David M. Apatang, "Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands," accessed January 16, 2023
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Rebuilding Trust: Arnold and Dave 2022, “On the Issues,” accessed October 17, 2022
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Arnold I. Palacios (R) |
Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands 2025-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by Arnold I. Palacios (R) |
Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands 2023-2025 |
Succeeded by Dennis C. Mendiola (R) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||
