PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On November 8th, 2022, His Excellency David W. Panuelo—President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)—received from the FSM Election Commission the Unofficial List of Candidates for the March 7th, 2023, General Election. While the official list will be received after background checks are completed, it is the President’s view that it is in the public interest for citizens across the Nation to be aware of the unofficial list as soon as possible.
The General Election on March 7th, 2023, will determine the fourteen (14) Senators who comprise the 23rd Congress of the FSM. Four (4) of the Senators will represent the States of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae in an “At-Large” capacity, serving for a four-year term. Ten (10) of the Senators will represent individual election districts within the States of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae, serving for a two-year term.
Citizens may recall that when the 23rd Congress of the FSM sits on May 11th, 2023, the Congress will elect the President and Vice President from amongst the four “At-Large” Senators. The President and Vice President then immediately vacate their seats in Congress, leaving the two At-Large seats they were elected from empty until a Special Election later in the year (typically early July).
For the State of Yap’s At-Large Seat, there are two candidates: Fidelis Thiyer Fanoway, and Joseph Urusemal. The incumbent is Joseph Urusemal. It is noteworthy that the incumbent is a former President of the FSM
For the State of Yap’s single two-year seat, there is one candidate running unopposed: Isaac V. Figir, who is also the incumbent.
For the State of Chuuk’s At-Large Seat, there are three candidates: Gillian N. Doone, Nakama Sana, and Wesley W. Simina. The incumbent is Wesley W. Simina. It is noteworthy that the incumbent is the Speaker of the 22nd FSM Congress.
For the State of Chuuk’s Election District 1, there are two candidates: Florencio Singkoro Harper, and Juan K. Martin. The incumbent is Florencio Singkoro Harper. It is noteworthy that the incumbent is the Floor Leader of the 22nd FSM Congress.
For the State of Chuuk’s Election District 2, there are two candidates: Tainiro K. Killion, and Victor Vicky Gouland. The incumbent is Victor Vicky Gouland.
For the State of Chuuk’s Election District 3, there are two candidates: Myron S. Hashiguchi, and Perpetua S. Konman. The incumbent is Perpetua S. Konman.
For the State of Chuuk’s Election District 4, there is one candidate running unopposed: Tiwiter H. Aritos, who is also the incumbent.
For the State of Chuuk’s Election District 5, there are three candidates: Robson U. Romolow, Ruphin Micky, and Zander Refilong. The incumbent is Robson U. Romolow.
For the State of Pohnpei’s At-Large Seat, there are four candidates: David W. Panuelo, Peter M. Christian, Welson Panuel, and William N. Kostka. The incumbent is Peter M. Christian. It is noteworthy that David W. Panuelo is the sitting President of the FSM. It is noteworthy that Peter M. Christian is a former President of the FSM.
For the State of Pohnpei’s Election District 1, there are three candidates: Ferny S. Perman, Marcelo K. Peterson, and Merlynn A. Alfonso. The incumbent is Ferny S. Perman.
For the State of Pohnpei’s Election District 2, there are two candidates: Dion G. Neth, and Quincy Lawrence. The incumbent is Dion G. Neth.
For the State of Pohnpei’s Election District 3, there are two candidates: Erick Paul, and Esmond B. Moses. The incumbent is Esmond B. Moses. It is noteworthy that the incumbent is also the Vice Speaker of the 22nd FSM Congress.
For the State of Kosrae’s At-Large Seat, there are two candidates: Aren B. Palik, and Yoslyn G. Sigrah. It is noteworthy that the incumbent Senator representing the State of Kosrae’s At-Lage seat, Rollinson Neth, is not running in the General Election. It is further noteworthy that Aren B. Palik is the sitting Vice President of the FSM.
For the State of Kosrae’s single two-year seat, there is one candidate running unopposed: Paliknoa K. Welly, who is also the incumbent.
The transmission of the Unofficial List of Candidates for the March 7th, 2023 General Election can be found here: https://gov.fm/files/November_8_2022_-_Unofficial_List_of_Candidates_for_the_March_7_2023_GE.pdf
