governor David Apatang

Governor David M. Apatang

Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

The Honorable David M. Apatang is the 11th Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, serving alongside Lt. Governor Dennis James C. Mendiola. Governor Apatang assumed the position of Governor after the passing of Governor Arnold I. Palacios.

He previously served as the Mayor of Saipan from January 2015 to January 2023. He served three terms in the Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature from January 1999 to January 2011 and served as a member of the Saipan, Northern Islands Municipal Council of the Northern Marianas Commonwealth from January 1997 to Januaary 1999.

Governor Apatang also served as the Chief of Procurement and Supply, as well as the acting Director of Finance and Accounting with the Department of Finance from June 1987 to January 1996. He also served as the State Director of the U.S. Selective Service System from 1990 to 1996.

Prior to his career as a public servant with the CNMI, Governor Apatang retired from the United States Army as a First Sergeant after a 20-year career as recruiter, platoon sergeant, operations officer, station commander, drill sergeant, and Equal Opportunity NCO.

Born on July 10, 1948, Lt. Governor Apatang was born on Guam and attended George Washington High School. He and his wife, Antonia Pangelinan Mafnas Apatang, who passed away in 2016, were blessed with five children: Elaine, Kimberly, Victoria, Deyna, and David John, and 15 grandchildren: David Peter, John Anthony, Justin, Jackie, Kevin, Kelly, John David, Donovan, Devon, Alaina, Andrew, Lana, Kyu, David, and Charles.

Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

The Honorable Dennis James C. Mendiola is the 14th Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, serving alongside Governor David M. Apatang. He assumed the Office of the Lieutenant Governor following the passing of Governor Arnold I. Palacios.

Lieutenant Governor Mendiola’s career reflects a broad spectrum of public service in both legislative and executive roles. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as a Senator representing the 1st District in the Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature, winning a five-way contest for two seats in the Senate during the 2022 election. On January 8, 2025, he was elected President of the Senate for the 24th Commonwealth Legislature.

A graduate of the University of Guam, Lieutenant Governor Mendiola earned a degree in Public Administration with a minor in Military Science. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant. His public service career includes his tenure as Commissioner of the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, where he oversaw critical emergency response operations for the Commonwealth.