HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — The Republican Party of Guam announced Tuesday afternoon that two-term Gov. Felix Camacho will run for governor again, with Sen. Tony Ada as his running mate.
Camacho, who served as governor from 2003 to 2010, said he decided to leave the “comfort and safety” of retirement after prayer, reflection and fasting.
“Through the years, I’d always say, ‘I’m done. I’ve served my eight years.’ I publicly stated, ‘I don’t want to go back again.’ But there comes a time, and a season, where — for such a time as this — you’ve got to make a call and you’ve got to make a decision,” he said.
The campaign unveiled its first official banner, using the slogan “Together we rise.” Camacho told reporters the phrase “was just a teaser” and said the team’s official slogan will be: “A new season.”
“I believe I’ve been blessed with wisdom, understanding, discernment, insight. The island needs leadership. They need character. And with my faith in God, I believe all things that are possible. So I ask, once again, that you entrust me…for such a time as this, when our people are crying out for help,” Camacho said.
The former governor aims to “restore, revive and help our people,” especially in light of the negative impacts still occurring due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I cannot simply stand on the sidelines, as I have for the years, and watch what’s happening on this island — as our people begin to suffer. I see businesses shut down, employees that are laid off, our freedoms and our liberties and every aspect of our life being touched by big government,” Camacho said.
The Camacho-Ada campaign launched its challenge to the incumbent team of Democratic Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, who are seeking a second term in office, eight months and 17 days before this year’s election.
Freedom ‘taken away’
In response to questions from reporters on how he would manage the government’s public health emergency differently, the former governor invoked the policies of “red states” such as Florida, Texas and South Dakota as those he would implement if elected.
“There’ve been a lot of success stories where they’ve been able to manage the situation, keep the economy alive and people employed,” Camacho said. “But I believe this administration has chosen to follow the narrative and the game plan of the Biden federal administration and government on how to handle (the pandemic).”
That narrative, according to Camacho, amounts to, “comply with us, follow the science and do what we say and everything will be OK.”
“It hasn’t proved to be the case…. Let’s look at what’s really been happening, and the efficacy of vaccines and masks, and all these other things,” he said. “I still feel that we have to restore the freedoms of our people. We need to live. We need to breathe. As human beings, we need to be together.”
While he said he wouldn’t “second-guess” executive decisions made by Leon Guerrero or Tenorio, “as I was not in their seat,” some of their pandemic policies “resulted in a lot of social ills,” he said.
Camacho said he favors further consideration on mask mandates and social gathering caps.
“Had I had the choice now, I believe people need the freedom of choice. And of course, working with our physicians, and understanding all the safety protocols — give freedom back to our people and liberties to make that choice, and establishments to also determine how many people should we have, can we allow vaccinated and unvaccinated into our facilities. People need, and businesses need that freedom of choice, which has been taken away from them,” he said.
The former governor said it will take a concerted effort, including from the private sector and individual residents, for the economy to get out of the pandemic depression.
Camacho said he will aim to encourage and provide opportunities for people to find work, referring to thousands of Guam residents who are not looking for jobs, as shown in the latest unemployment numbers.
“They can’t simply sit at home and collect money. Many choose not to work, but there is dignity in work and that has to be restored,” Camacho said. “And so together, working with all sectors of our economy, we need to move forward.”
The former governor said he also was concerned about how Guam’s youths are faring during the pandemic, recalling conversations he’s had with people who provide services “on the streets.”
‘Leaders have not been around’
Ada, who previously ran for lieutenant governor in 2018 with then-Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio, said he was “very excited” to join the ticket. The 2018 election resulted in Gov. Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio beginning their first term in office.
“Our people have been looking for leaders, and their leaders have not been around,” Ada said. “I know with Felix Camacho as our governor…Guam will see better days.”
The Camacho-Ada team was introduced by former Gov. Eddie Calvo, who is also a former two-term Republican governor.
“What I saw in him was passion. And more importantly, compassion. Compassion for the people of Guam is sorely needed,” Calvo said.
Sen. Frank Blas Jr., who had been considering a run for governor of his own, confirmed that he will not make a gubernatorial bid this year, and will be supporting the Camacho-Ada campaign.
“This island is tired of fighting. This island is tired of people going after each other’s throats. This island is tired of just bickering,” Blas said. “And I know this, and Gov. (Camacho) knows this. And that’s why I said, ‘Governor, you run.’ Because in his running…we brought back an individual with a proven record, who knows how to lead a team to victory.”
The Republicans are starting a campaign well after their opponents, who have a fundraising advantage. Camacho acknowledged to reporters the uphill battle he is facing.
“I liken this to David versus Goliath. And it took a single stone to bring the giant down. Money isn’t everything…. You can’t buy the hearts of the people with money. You have to win the hearts of the people. That’s what we intend to do,” he said.
Democrats respond
Gov. Leon Guerrero’s campaign welcomed the opportunity to compare the records of the two candidates.
“We are all in the midst of the most difficult times in Guam’s modern history. We continue to be focused on the people and their needs, maximizing the $1.5 billion in critical federal assistance for our people, aggressively moving ahead with hundreds of millions more in infrastructure assistance that will bring new jobs and save our economy, all while continuing to protect the precious health and safety of our people during this Covid pandemic,” the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio campaign stated.
The Democratic Party of Guam struck a more pointed tone, calling Camacho’s time in office “both unremarkable and unmemorable.”
“The Camacho Administration chose to take away people’s tax refunds instead of helping them, put Guam into debt instead of erasing it, and was sued for not providing the tax credits to low and middle-income workers. We anticipate the new Camacho campaign will want to rewrite their record and we think that’s a good strategy, but not a winning one,” the Democrats stated.
Former Gov. Felix Camacho, second right, with his running mate Tony Ada, right, unveil their campaign sign that reads, “Together We Rise.” Sen. Frank Blas Jr., left, and former Gov. Eddie Calvo joined the gubernatorial tandem during a press conference Tuesday afternoon in Tamuning.
