Dennis C. Mendiola
Dennis Mendiola | |
|---|---|
| 14th Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands | |
| Assumed office July 23, 2025 | |
| Governor | David M. Apatang |
| Preceded by | David M. Apatang |
| President of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate | |
| In office January 13, 2025 – July 23, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Edith DeLeon Guerrero |
| Succeeded by | Karl King-Nabors |
| Member of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate from the 1st district | |
| In office January 9, 2023 – July 23, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Victor Hocog Teresita Santos |
| Succeeded by | Paul Manglona |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Dennis James Camacho Mendiola March 2, 1980 |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | University of Guam (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | Army National Guard |
| Years of service | 2009–2015 |
| Rank | Captain |
Dennis James Camacho Mendiola (born March 2, 1980)[1][2] is a Northern Mariana Islander politician. He is the 14th and current lieutenant governor of the Northern Mariana Islands.[3] Prior to his elevation to the lieutenant governorship after the death of Arnold Palacios, he served as a Republican member for the 1st district of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate.[4][5]
He attended the University of Guam and graduated with a degree in public administration and a minor in military science. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the US Army National Guard.[6] He medically retired in 2015 at the rank of captain after a battle with cancer.[7] Mendiola served as the Commissioner of Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services.[1] In 2020, he was the Republican candidate against incumbent Paul Manglona. He lost with 666 votes to Manglona's 764 votes.[8] He ran again in the 2022 election winning a five-way race for two seats in the Senate.[9] On January 8, 2025, it was announced that Mendiola would be elected to the position of President of the Senate for the 24th Commonwealth Legislature.[10]
Political positions
Mendiola endorsed the Donald Trump presidential campaign in the 2024 United States presidential election.[11]
References
- ^ a b De La Torre, Ferdie (July 31, 2020). "DFEMS chief Mendiola will be running as a Republican". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ Quituga, Daniel (August 11, 2025). "A humble path to public service (2)". Marianas Variety. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ Rabago, Mark; Gilbert, Haidee E. (July 23, 2025). "CNMI Gov. Arnold Palacios dies Wednesday night, hours after airlifted to Guam for medical treatment". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ "Northern Mariana Islands Senate". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ "Members of the Senate, 23rd NMC Legislature". Northern Mariana Islands Senate. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ Mendiola, Dennis (October 27, 2022). "Senate Candidates" (Interview). Interviewed by Staff. Marianas Variety. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ "CNMI Lt. Governor was a Guam Basketball Star". Guam Sports Network. August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
- ^ "2020 CNMI General Election Results". Commonwealth Election Commission. November 17, 2020. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ "2022 Official General Election and Run-Off Results". Commonwealth Election Commission. November 11, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
- ^ Erediano, Emmanuel T. (January 8, 2025). "LB prepares for inauguration of 24th Legislature". Marianas Variety.
- ^ Marino, Chrystal (July 24, 2024). "'A new Trump and a new Republican Party'". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on July 24, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2025 – via Internet Archive.