Arnold Palacios

Arnold Palacios
10th Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
In office
January 9, 2023 – July 23, 2025
LieutenantDavid M. Apatang
Preceded byRalph Torres
Succeeded byDavid M. Apatang
12th Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
In office
January 14, 2019 – January 9, 2023
GovernorRalph Torres
Preceded byVictor Hocog
Succeeded byDavid M. Apatang
President of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate
In office
January 10, 2017 – January 14, 2019
Preceded byFrank Borja
Succeeded byVictor Hocog
13th Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
In office
January 14, 2008 – January 11, 2010
Preceded byOscar Babauta
Succeeded byFroilan Tenorio
Personal details
Born
Arnold Indalecio Palacios

(1955-08-22)August 22, 1955
Saipan, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (now Northern Mariana Islands)
DiedJuly 23, 2025(2025-07-23) (aged 69)
Dededo, Guam
Political partyRepublican (before 2021, 2024–2025)
Independent (2021–2024)
EducationPortland State University (BS)

Arnold Indalecio Palacios (August 22, 1955 – July 23, 2025) was a Northern Mariana politician who was the 10th Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands from 2023 until 2025. He was the 12th lieutenant governor of the Northern Mariana Islands, from 2019 to 2023.

Palacios was a former Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives. He was sworn in on January 14, 2008, as the Speaker of the House's 16th Legislature.[1]

Formerly a member of the Republican Party, he ran an independent candidate for Governor in the 2022 election.[2] He won the election in November 2022, beating incumbent Governor Ralph Torres.

Palacios died on July 23, 2025 at a hospital in Dededo, Guam at the age of 69.[3]

References

  1. Palacios, Arnold I. (2008-01-14). "'Restore the people's confidence in Legislature'". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
  2. "BREAKING NEWS: Palacios to run for governor in 2022". Saipan Tribune. 2021-10-20. Retrieved 2021-11-28.
  3. Gov. Palacios passes away; Apatang assumes office