Heinz Hofschneider
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Saipan, Mariana Islands, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Independent (since 2014)
Heinz Hofschneider | |
|---|---|
| 10th Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives | |
| In office January 14, 2002 – January 12, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Benigno Fitial |
| Succeeded by | Benigno Fitial |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 1, 1957 Saipan, Mariana Islands, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands |
| Political party | Republican (before 2014) Independent (since 2014) |
| Spouse | Susana Sablan |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Menlo College California State University (BS) |
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 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] Hofschneider's wife is Susan Sablan Hofschneider and they have two children.[2]
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.[3] 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.[4]
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[5]
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.[6] During the 14th Commonwealth Legislature, Hofschneider was voted as the House Minority Leader.[7]
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.[8] Hofschneider received 3,813 votes and finished fourth of five candidates for two seats.[9]