The Northern Mariana Islands Senate is the upper house of the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature. The Senate consists of nine senators representing three senatorial districts (Saipan & the Northern Islands, Tinian & Aguijan, and Rota), each a multi-member constituency with three senators.
Maria Frica Pangelinan was the first woman to serve in the Senate.
Vacancies In the event of a vacancy that occurs less than two years before the end of the Senator's term, the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands appoints the runner-up of the most recent election. Should that individual decline, the next highest vote getting, unsuccessful candidate become the prospective appointee. Should all the previous candidate's decline, the Governor would then choose an eligible citizen for consideration. In the event a vacancy occurs more than two years before the next scheduled election, a special election is held.
Senators of the 24th Commonwealth Legislature In the 24th Commonwealth Legislature, the majority caucus consists of four Republicans and three allied independent lawmakers. Karl King-Nabors became President of the Senate after Dennis C. Mendiola was elevated to lieutenant governor after the death of Arnold Palacios. Corina Magofna became Vice President in July 2025. Since the start of the 24th Commonwealth Legislature, Francisco Q. Cruz and Donald M. Manglona have served as legislative secretary and Floor Leader respectively. Ronnie M. Calvo is a member of the majority caucus. As of August 2025, eight of the nine senators make up the majority caucus as all Senators except Celina Babauta are either committee chairs or in a leadership position.
DistrictNamePartyCaucusStart1RotaIndependentMajorityJanuary 9, 2023IndependentMajorityJanuary 13, 2025IndependentMajorityJuly 31, 20252TinianRepublicanMajorityJanuary 12, 2015RepublicanMajorityJanuary 11, 2010RepublicanMajorityJanuary 11, 20213SaipanDemocraticMinorityJanuary 9, 2023IndependentMajorityJanuary 9, 2023RepublicanMajorityJanuary 13, 2025
Past composition of the Senate
In the November 2007 elections, the three senators up for re-election were all re-elected to another four-year term in the 16th and 17th Senate. The Covenant Party, which lost control of the House, entered into coalition with the Democrats and a lone Independent over the Senate's leadership and voting agenda. The CNMI Senate was controlled in 2016 by a Republican majority under Senate President Francisco Borja.
AffiliationParty (Shading indicates majority/plurality)TotalRepublicanIndependentDemocraticCovenantVacantEnd of 17th Legislature440 1 9 0Beginning of 18th Legislature5 400 9 0End of 18th Legislature5 3 1Beginning of 19th Legislature7200 90End of 19th Legislature6320th Legislature7 20 0 9 021st Legislature6 30 0 9 022nd Legislature5 31 0 9 023rd Legislature 432 0 9 024th Legislature431 1 0 9 0Latest voting share
See also Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives List of Northern Mariana Islands Governors
References
External links