Ricardo Castro Cruz Jr.​

Hafa Adai, Tirow Wóómi, and Greetings. I am Ricardo Castro Cruz Jr., a proud son of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, born and raised in Precinct 1 Dandan, Saipan. This 2026 election season, I am committed to gain the trust and support of the residents of Precinct 1 to humbly serve as your representative in the House.

Growing up during my youth, I witnessed firsthand the hard work and sacrifices my parents had to endure to provide for our family. Through my desire to help make ends meet at a young age, I gained my parents’ permission to get an afterschool, weekend job to contribute to our household. Balancing school and work was challenging at first, but it taught me how to be disciplined, and I eventually developed a respectable work ethic.

After graduating from Marianas High School in 2002, I began my professional journey at First Hawaiian Bank as a teller and customer service representative. In 2008, I relocated to the US mainland in search of greater opportunities to learn and grow. I would spend the next five years with Chase Bank developing my leadership skills as the branch’s lead teller.

In 2013, I returned home to Saipan to begin my next chapter in Customer Service, this time in the hospitality industry as a front office shuttle operator. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I enjoyed working in a hotel and that I wanted more. I was fortunate enough to be mentored by great industry leaders who saw the potential for more in me and supported my professional growth and development. I sought formal education in my new field and enrolled into Northern Marianas Technical Institute’s Hospitality and Restaurant Operations program, which provided a comprehensive understanding of all hotel and restaurant operations. In 2018, I continued investing in myself and joined the Pacific Century Fellows. This program allowed me to learn from leaders from diverse backgrounds, apply their insights to my current role, and engage with colleagues on researching means of improving the CNMI. Through hard work, learning moments and determination, I became a Front Office Manager, a position that a former shuttle operator once thought was unreachable.

Despite opportunities to work and live abroad, my profound love for home, the people of the CNMI, and my culture anchored my decision to stay. As I conclude my chapter in hospitality and seek a new path, I am confident that the drive and success I developed while in the corporate environment can now be harnessed for the benefit of the residents of Precinct 1. My commitment is clear: to unite our people, get to the root causes of the issues facing Precinct 1, and lead by example to inspire the next generation to step up and lead alongside me.

My campaign is dedicated to the comprehensive revitalization of Precinct 1, focusing on economic growth, educational excellence, accessible healthcare, and sustainable infrastructure. By bridging the gap between legislative action and community needs, I aim to build a future that honors our residents and protects our environment.