Heinz Hofschneider

Heinz Sablan Hofschneider (born July 1, 1957) is a politician from the Northern Mariana Islands. Hofschneider served as the Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives from 2002 to 2004 and is a four-time candidate for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Heinz Hofschneider
10th Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
In office
January 14, 2002 – January 12, 2004
Preceded byBenigno Fitial
Succeeded byBenigno Fitial
Personal details
Born (1957-07-01) July 1, 1957
Saipan, Mariana Islands,
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Political partyRepublican (before 2014)
Independent (2014–present)
SpouseSusana Sablan
ChildrenTwo
EducationMenlo College
California State University (B.S.)

Early life and career

Heinz Sablan Hofschneider was born July 1, 1957, in Saipan to William Villagomez Hofschneider and Primitiba Roberto Sablan. He attended Menlo College in Atherton, California, for two years. Due to the cost, he transferred to California State University at Los Angeles. At Cal State, he majored in health sciences then worked as a physician assistant.[1]

Commonwealth Legislature

Hofschneider was first elected to the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives in the 1991 general election. He finished second for six seats in the third district.[2] Later that year, after Governor Larry Guerrero purchased a $5 million generator from Mitsubishi without a budget appropriation, Hofschneider was one of three legislators to speak of impeaching the Governor. Subsequently, his home was attacked in a drive-by shooting. After the House dropped the impeachment inquiry one month after the shooting, Hofschneider attempted an audit of Mitsubishi. The audit revealed Guerrero misappropriated funds.[3]

In 1993, Hofschneider was re-elected as an independent after being dropped from the Republican ticket in light of his criticism of Guerrero. He finished in first place in the district[4]

In 2000, Hofschneider was running against Benigno Fitial for the position of Speaker. During the election, Jack Abramoff sent two operatives to the islands to lobby legislators on Fitial's behalf. Fitial was subsequently reelected as Speaker and Abramoff's contract was extended.[5]

In the 2018 general election, Hofschneider ran as an independent for the Northern Mariana Islands Senate in the 3rd senatorial district. He ran as an ally of the gubernatorial ticket of Juan Babauta and Rita Aldan Sablan.[6] Hofschneider received 3,813 votes and finished fourth of five candidates for two seats.[7]

Runs for Governor

Hofschneider was a gubernatorial candidate in the 2001, 2005, 2009, and 2014 elections.

In the 2005 gubernatorial election, Hofschneider ran on a ticket with David M. Apatang. While both Hofschneider and Apatang were Republicans, they ran as independents.[8] The 2005 election was particularly bitter as families faced divided loyalties and a record amount of money was raised and spent on attack ads. In a four-way race, the Hofschneider – Apatang ticket lost to Benigno Fitial and Timothy Villagomez of the Covenant Party by a single point.[9]

His best gubernatorial election result came in 2009, when he was the Republican nominee for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands in the 2009 gubernatorial election.[10] Representative Arnold I. Palacios of Saipan, the Speaker of the House then, was Hofschneider's running mate for lieutenant governor.[10][11] Hofschneider won the initial popular vote but failed to gain a majority, triggering a runoff against the incumbent, Benigno Fitial.[11][12] Fitial won the runoff by 370 votes and therefore was re-elected.[13]

Hofschneider ran a fourth time for governor in 2014 as an independent. His running mate was independent Senator Ray Yumul of Saipan.[14] Hofschnedier lost to the incumbent, Eloy Inos.

Hofschneider's wife is Susan Sablan Hofschneider and they have two children.[15] Hofschneider represented Election District 3 in the House, which encompasses portions of Saipan and the Northern Islands.

References
  1. Hofschneider, Heinz (February 9, 1997). "Interview of Heinz S. Hofschneider" (PDF). Oral Histories (Interview). Interviewed by Deanne C. Siemer; Howard P. Willens. Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands: Northern Marianas Humanities Council. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  2. Arroyo, Rafael H. (November 5, 1991). "Republicans Rule 1991 Polls" (PDF). Mariana's Variety. Vol. 20, no. 67. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  3. McPhetres, Samuel F. (1994). "Micronesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 1992 to 30 June 1993 - Northern Mariana Islands". The Contemporary Pacific. University of Hawaiʻi Press. 6 (1): 166–169 – via JSTOR.
  4. Arroyo, Rafael H. (November 8, 1993). "Tenorio is governor" (PDF). Mariana's Variety. Vol. 22, no. 170. p. 5. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  5. Continetti, Matthew (April 18, 2006). The K Street Gang: The Rise and Fall of the Republican Machine. New York City: Random House. ISBN 9780385518734. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  6. Perez, Jon (June 26, 2018). "Heinz throws hat in Senate race". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  7. "2018 General Election Certified Election Results". Commonwealth Election Commission. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  8. Hernandez, Criselda B. (2005). "Politics: 4-Way Gubernatorial Election Heats Up". Islands Business. Archived from the original on 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
  9. McPhetres, Samuel F. (2007). "Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands" (PDF). The Contemporary Pacific: A Journal of Island Affairs. University of Hawaiʻi Press. 19 (1): 190. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  10. Casas, Gemma Q. (2009-10-13). "Registered voters up by 15%". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved 2009-10-12.
  11. Eugenio, Haidee V. (2009-11-09). "Independents to seal Heinz or Fitial victory". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  12. Eugenio, Haidee V. (2009-11-23). "CNMI holds first runoff election". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-01-12. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  13. Eugenio, Haidee V. (2009-12-08). "Fitial seals victory with 370 lead". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2011-08-14. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
  14. Eugenio, Haidee V. (April 8, 2014). "Independent bid for Babauta, Torres". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  15. "Death and Funeral Announcement for Joaquin Leon Guerrero Sablan" (PDF). Mariana's Variety. April 19, 1996. p. 19. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
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