Diego Benavente

Diego Tenorio Benavente (born April 21, 1959) is a Northern Mariana Islander politician who served as the sixth lieutenant governor of the Northern Mariana Islands from January 14, 2002 to January 9, 2006, under former Governor Juan Babauta.

Diego Benavente
Chair of the Northern Mariana Islands Republican Party
In office August 28, 2023 – November 20, 2024
Preceded by	Candace Celis
Succeeded by	Ramon Tebuteb
6th Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
In office January 14, 2002 – January 9, 2006
Governor	Juan Babauta
Preceded by	Jesus Sablan
Succeeded by	Timothy Villagomez
8th Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
In office January 10, 1994 – January 10, 2000
Preceded by	Thomas P. Villagomez
Succeeded by	Benigno Fitial
Personal details
Born	Diego Tenorio Benavente (1959-04-21) April 21, 1959 (age 66) Saipan, Mariana Islands, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (now Northern Mariana Islands)
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Vicky Iriarte
Education	College of Southern Idaho

Biography

Diego Tenorio Benavente was born April 21, 1959. He graduated from Carmel High School in 1977. He then attended the College of Southern Idaho receiving an education in electrical engineering. Upon returning from Idaho, he started his own business.^[1] Benavente first ran for election in 1987, when he narrowly lost his bid for election to the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives in Precinct II by just six votes.^[2] However, Benavente was elected to the House in his second campaign in 1989.^[2] He served in the House for six consecutive terms, including three terms as the Speaker of the House.^[2] He left the House in 2000 to run for Lieutenant Governor in 2001.

Benavente was elected Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands as the running mate of Juan Babauta in the 2001 gubernatorial election.^[2] In the 2005 election, the Babauta-Benavente ticket finished third of four candidates with Benigno Fitial and his running mate Timothy Villagomez of the Covenant Party winning the election.^[3]

Benavente announced his candidacy for Governor in the 2009 election on December 11, 2008.^[2] However, Benavente dropped out of the race in February 2009 leaving two candidates - Heinz Hofschneider and Juan Babauta - in the race for the Republican nomination.^[4]

Benavente was again elected to the CNMI House of Representatives in 2007.^[2] He is currently serves as the Minority Leader of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives as of April 2011.^[5]

Benavente was elected president of the CNMI Republican Party on August 28, 2023.^[6] He resigned the position effective November 20, 2024.^[7] Former Representative Ramon Angailen Tebuteb succeeded Benavente as the party's chairman.^[8][9]