Introduction
Johnson Toribiong (born 22 July 1946) is a Palauan attorney and politician. Toribiong became the President of Palau, following his victory in the November 2008 election.
The electorate rejected him in the November 2012 election
Background and earlier career
Toribiong was born in Airai, one of the states of Palau. He holds a Juris Doctor degree (1972) and a Master of Laws (1973) degree from the University of Washington School of Law.
He served as ambassador of Palau to the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 2001 to 2008.
He ran for president in the 1992 elections; he attracted 3,188 votes, versus 2,084 for one-term incumbent Ngiratkel Etpison and 3,125 for rival Kuniwo Nakamura; however, as no candidate attracted more than 50% of the vote, Nakamura and Toribiong went on to a runoff election, in which Toribiong was defeated.
President of Palau
Toribiong was a candidate for President of Palau during the November 2008 presidential election. His running mate for Vice President was Kerai Mariur, a Delegate in the Palau National Congress. Toribiong was opposed by Elias Camsek Chin, the outgoing Palauan Vice President.
Toribiong led the early, unofficial vote tally with 1,629 votes to Chin's 1,499. The lead ultimately held and Toribiong defeated Chin in the election.
Toribiong was sworn into office as President of Palau on January 15, 2009.
