HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — A fifth potential candidate may be throwing his hat in the ring for the race to become Guam’s next delegate to Congress.
Joaquin “Ken” Leon Guerrero picked up a candidate packet on Thursday for the Republican Party, the second potential candidate for the party.
The other potential candidate for Congress on the Republican ticket is incumbent James Moylan.
Three potential candidates have picked up packets on the Democrat side: former Guam senator and delegate Michael San Nicolas, current Sen. Amanda Shelton, and Ginger Cruz, who served in the administration of former Gov. Carl Gutierrez and as a deputy inspector general for the Iraq reconstruction.
None of these individuals has officially filed candidacy at the Guam Election Commission, so all of them remain unofficial or potential candidates for now, despite some clear intentions to run, such as the billboards that have been set up for Shelton’s run for Congress.
The primary election will take place Aug. 3. The election commission will continue to accept candidate packets until May 3.
Republican leadership
Over the weekend, the Republican Party of Guam announced the election of its new executive committee, Republican National Convention delegates and presidential candidate.
“Leading the charge as our newly elected chairman is Shawn Gumataotao, who is recognized for his unwavering dedication to conservative values and community service. Joining him are newly elected leaders Thelma Hechanova as first vice chair, Marvin Crisostomo as second vice chair, Tammy Bamba as secretary, and Evelyn Casil as treasurer,” the Republican Party of Guam announced in a press release.
“In addition, Juan Carlos Benitez and former Sen. Shirley ‘Sam’ Mabini Young have been elected as our Guam national committeeman and national committeewoman, respectively, bringing a wealth of experience to their roles and a passion for advancing our party’s goals,” the party added in the release.
The party also pledged its support behind former President Donald Trump, who is looking to be reelected to the White House.
“Notably, although (candidate) Nikki Haley withdrew from the presidential race, she remained included in The Guam straw poll,” the RPOG said in the release.
Current Guam Del. James Moylan and Sen. Frank Blas Jr., minority leader at the Guam Legislature, will lead the RPOG delegates for the 2024 Republican National Convention, to be held in July in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the party said in the release.
Ken Leon Guerrero speaks during an oversight hearing for the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority on May 17, 2023, at the Guam Congress Building in Hagåtña.
