HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — The Guam Election Commission began accepting candidate packets Feb. 26, and the first few filings have already come in. Only two candidates had filed packets for senatorial positions before the weekend – incumbent Sens. Roy Quinata and Joe San Agustin. Both are Democrats.
Other filed candidate packets last week were for mayoral candidacies. Hill Junior Leon Guerrero, filed as a Democrat, filed his candidacy for the Sånta Rita-Sumai mayor’s office. JanaLu Lizama Salvador is also looking to become the Sånta Rita-Sumai mayor but on the Republican ticket. Dale C.P. Alvarez, a Democrat, has also filed his candidacy for the Sånta Rita-Sumai mayor.
Michael Gumataotao, another Republican, has filed candidacy for the Hagåtña mayor’s office. Finally, two Democrats have so far filed candidacy for the Malesso′ mayor’s office: Stephen Cruz and Franklin J.Q. Champaco.
No candidates for delegate have officially filed for candidacy yet, but four hopefuls have picked up candidate packets as of last week.
They include former Guam senator and former delegate Michael San Nicolas, current Sen. Amanda Shelton, Ginger Cruz, who served in the administration of former Gov. Carl Gutierrez and as a deputy inspector general for the Iraq Reconstruction, and most recently, current Guam Del. James Moylan. Moylan is the lone Republican so far among the potential delegate candidates. The other three are all Democrats.
Moylan had already confirmed his intention to run for reelection but officially picked up a candidate packet just last week.
“It’s been an honor to serve our community in the capacity of their representative in Congress, and immediately from the start we made sure to prioritize Guam in every capacity possible. Our work within (the House Armed Services Committee) led to over $3 billion in economic activity, which will create many jobs, increase disposable income, and improve our tax base. We secured the extension of the H-2B visas and added living quarters allowances to ensure we have the needed skilled labor to accomplish many projects inside and outside the fence,” Moylan stated in a press release.
“We have opened discussions on many key topics. … The continuity in working with federal partners to ensure Guam’s resiliency is also our priority, including working with various committee staff to increase grant opportunities for our island,” the delegate added.
The primary election will take place Aug. 3. The election commission will continue to accept candidate packets for individuals running for senator, delegate, mayor, vice mayor and public auditor until May 3.
Bill 215-37 is proposing to do away with the primary election for the public auditor and attorney general positions.
The general election will take place Nov. 5.
As yet unofficial Guam delegate candidate Democrat Sen. Amanda Shelton’s political sign in Tamuning on Feb. 19, 2024.
