In her first interview since announcing her run for governor, NMI house representative Tina Sablan says it's time to make a change and she's already making history.

"It will be a choice to end this era of corruption and waste, and complacency. I want to offer people leadership that they know they can trust and respects the law and cares about their well-being and is focused on improving the lives of working families," Sablan told KUAM News.

The gubernatorial hopeful was on The Link for her first interview since the NMI democratic party accepted her as their candidate. And her candidacy is already historic as she's the first female nominee for governor. 

"I think that as a community people are ready to see women taking the position of governor, lieutenant governor, and all the way down the ballot," she said.

The question remains: who will be her running mate? She says there are at least 12 people who the party will recommend from, but she'll have the final say.

"I will be looking for somebody who can broaden and diversify our voting base. Somebody with strengths that is different from mine and complementary to mine. I would not want just some yes person," she said.

The former investigative journalist in her third term in the house says she's focused on continuing good policies.

"I've worked with our delegate, our senate counterparts to finally restore the Earned Income Tax Credit to working families, we've directed more funding into our healthcare system. We've directed more funding to help families impacted by typhoon disasters and COVID-19. We've been active in our hate crimes act. This is not anything I take credit for individually, because that is not what being a legislator is about you have to work with your colleagues" said Sablan.

She says her campaign will promote a new culture in government, entice former residents to come home, and use federal funds responsibly.  

"People deserve a government that is worthy of their trust and even worthy of their pride. Sad to say we do not have that right now," she said.