2018 Guamanian gubernatorial election

Last updated

2018 Guamanian gubernatorial election
Flag of Guam.svg
←  2014 November 6, 2018 2022  →
  Lou Leon Guerrero in 2018.jpeg Raymond S. Tenorio.jpg Frank Aguon at 2016 DOJ Event (cropped).jpg
Nominee Lou Leon Guerrero Ray Tenorio Frank Aguon
(write-in)
Party Democratic Republican Democratic
Running mate Josh Tenorio Tony Ada Alicia Limtiaco
Popular vote18,2589,4878,205
Percentage50.8%26.4%22.8%
Guam gubernatorial election, 2018.svg
Results by village
Guerrero:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%
Governor before election

Eddie Baza Calvo
Republican

Elected Governor

Lou Leon Guerrero
Democratic

The 2018 Guam gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Guam, concurrently with the election of Guam elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. [1]

Contents

Incumbent Republican governor Eddie Baza Calvo, was term-limited and ineligible to seek a third term in office.

Following a contested primaries on August 25, 2018, the Democratic Party nominated Lou Leon Guerrero, a former Bank of Guam CEO, territorial senator, and 1998 lieutenant gubernatorial candidate. She won the nomination over territorial senator Frank B. Aguon, who chose to run a write-in campaign in the general election. The Republican Party nominated lieutenant governor Ray Tenorio, who served under Calvo from 2011 to 2019. The campaign centered on issues including abortion rights in Guam, ethical matters, and the role of the tourism sector. [2] [3] Leon Guerrero won a 50.7% majority in the general election against Tenorio, who received 26.4%, and Aguon, whose write-in bid received 22.8%. She became the first female governor in Guamanian history and the first Democrat to win the governorship of Guam since 1998.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

The Tenorio/Ada ticket was unopposed in the Republican primaries.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican
3,148 97.98
Republican Write-ins652.02
Total votes3,213 100.0

Democratic primary

The following candidates have officially declared their bids to run in 2018 Gubernatorial Elections.

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results [12]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic
8,218 32.14
Democratic
7,95831.12
Democratic
5,60921.94
Democratic
  • Dennis Rodriguez Jr.
  • David M. Cruz Jr.
3,76114.71
Democratic Write-ins220.09
Total votes25,568 100.0

General election

Campaign issues

Ethical issues

During the campaign, Republican nominee Ray Tenorio highlighted Leon Guerrero's tenure at the helm of the Bank of Guam, asking her if she would divest government money out of the bank if elected. Leon Guerrero's running mate, Josh Tenorio, accused the Republican nominee of having a conflict of interest issues regarding a pay increase bill. [2]

Social issues

Both candidates debated issues centered around Guam's status as a tourism economy, with Tenorio pledging to strengthen the territory's tourism sector, while Leon Guerrero emphasized public safety measures to protect both residents and tourists. [3]

On abortion, Leon Guerrero indicated her support for abortion rights in Guam, while Tenorio indicated he was opposed to legalizing abortion. [2]

"Birthplace" controversy surrounding race and ethnicity

During the election, Leon Guerrero faced criticism from opponents for her speech in which she noted she was "was born and raised here". [13] In a campaign stump speech, Leon Guerrero, of Chamorro background, stated "This is my island. I am from here, Ray. I was born and raised here, Ray ... and I am more qualified to be the governor of Guam." Republican nominee Ray Tenorio, who was born to a white family in Florida, criticized her remarks, asking "Does Lou really care about all Guamanians" in a campaign ad. [14] [2]

Jerry Crisostomo, the chair of the Republican Party of Guam accused Leon Guerrero's campaign of utilizing "racial undertones" in her campaign against Tenorio. Write-in Democratic candidate Frank Aguon, who lost to Leon Guerrero in the August primary, also criticized her remarks. [14] The Democratic Party of Guam rejected these criticisms, stating in a press release that "Ray Tenorio and his team are desperate and will grab at untruths and lies for their campaign". [2]

Some Guamian officials stood in Leon Guerrero's defense, including former Democratic senator Hope A. Cristobal. Cristobal argued that the criticism of Leon Guerrero's remarks fail to appreciate "the political nuances of indigenous CHamorus in a colonized homeland". Robert A. Underwood, former president of the University of Guam and Guam's former delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, stated he considers it "a stretch for the (Tenorio) team to say [Leon Guerrero] is racist or xenophobic". [14]

Results

The general elections were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Democratic candidate Lou Leon Guerrero garnered 18,081 votes against Ray Tenorio's 9,419 votes. Guam law requires gubernatorial candidates to attain more than 50% of the total votes to be elected governor. Leon Guerrero passed the necessary threshold by a razor-thin margin, winning the election with 50.7% of the vote against Tenorio's 26.41% and Aguon's 22.81%.

2018 Guam gubernatorial election
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic
18,258 50.79% +14.82%
Republican
9,48726.39%−37.31%
Democratic
8,20522.82%+22.49%
Total votes35,950 100.0% N/A
Democratic gain from Republican

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felix Perez Camacho</span> Governor of Guam from 2003 to 2011

Felix James Pérez Camacho is an American politician and businessman who served as the 7th Governor of Guam from 2003 to 2011. A member of the Republican Party of Guam, he had previously served as a six-term senator in the Guam Legislature from 1993 to 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricardo Bordallo</span> 2nd and 4th Governor of Guam

Ricardo Jerome "Ricky" Bordallo was an American politician and businessman, who served two terms as the 2nd and 4th Governor of Guam with Lieutenant Governor Rudy Sablan from 1975 to 1979, and with Lieutenant Governor Edward Diego Reyes from 1983 to 1987. A member of the Democratic Party of Guam, Bordallo previously served as a Senator in the Guam Legislature from 1957 to 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Camacho</span> Guamanian dentist and politician (1924–1979)

Carlos Garcia Camacho was an American politician noted for being the first elected Governor of Guam, serving in the position from 1971 to 1975. A member of the Republican Party, he had previously served as the last appointed Governor of Guam from 1969 to 1971 under President Richard Nixon. Prior to this, he was a member of the Guam Legislature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republican Party of Guam</span> Guam affiliate of the Republican Party

The Republican Party of Guam, commonly referred to as Guam GOP, is a political party in Guam affiliated with the United States Republican Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Democratic Party of Guam</span> Political party in Guam

The Democratic Party of Guam is a political party in Guam affiliated with the U.S. Democratic Party. Its origins lie in the Popular Party, which was the only political party on Guam until 1956.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Gutierrez</span> Governor of Guam from 1995 to 2003

Carl Tommy Cruz Gutierrez is an American politician who was the 6th Governor of Guam, serving two four-year terms with Lieutenant Governor Madeleine Bordallo from January 2, 1995, to January 6, 2003. Gutierrez previously served a total of nine terms as a Senator in the Guam Legislature and was chosen by his colleagues to serve as Speaker of the 17th and 18th Guam Legislatures, respectively.

Benjamin Joseph Franquez "B. J." Cruz is a Chamorro lawyer, jurist, and politician who served as the Speaker of the 34th Guam Legislature from 2017 to 2018 and as Vice Speaker from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the Guam Legislature from 2005 to 2007 and again from 2008 to 2018. He was Chief Justice of the Guam Supreme Court from 1999 to 2001. In September 2018, Cruz was elected to serve as Public Auditor of Guam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Guamanian gubernatorial election</span>

The 2010 Guam gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Republican Governor Felix P. Camacho was term-limited and has ineligible for running for a third-consecutive term. In January 2009, the website D.C.'s Political Report predicted that the Republican Party would retain the governorship. Republican Eddie Calvo won the election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Baza Calvo</span> Governor of Guam from 2011 to 2019

Edward Jerome Baza Calvo is an American politician who served as the 8th Governor of Guam from January 3, 2011 to January 7, 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Calvo was a five-term Senator within the Legislature of Guam. He became the Governor of Guam, having defeated Democrat Carl Gutierrez in the 2010 gubernatorial election. Calvo chose Senator Ray Tenorio as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor of Guam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Tenorio</span> American-Guamanian politician

Raymond Stanley Tenorio is an American-Guamanian politician and former police officer of the Guam Police Department who served as the 9th Lieutenant Governor of Guam from January 3, 2011, to January 7, 2019. Tenorio is a Republican and served as a Senator in the Legislature of Guam from January 6, 2003, until January 3, 2011. He unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Guam, losing to Democrat Lou Leon Guerrero in the 2018 gubernatorial election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Aguon</span> Guamanian politician (born 1966)

Frank Blas Aguon Jr. is a Guamanian politician and army lieutenant. A Democrat, he served in the Legislature of Guam from 1997 to 2007, 2009 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2019. He is a former Vice-Speaker from 2003 to 2005.

General elections were held in Guam on November 2, 2010. Voters in Guam chose their Governor, their non-voting delegate to the United States House of Representatives, Attorney General, as well as all fifteen members of the territorial legislature. The election coincided with the 2010 United States elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Guam general election</span>

General elections were held in Guam on November 4, 2014. Voters elected the governor, legislature, and territory's delegate to the United States House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lou Leon Guerrero</span> Governor of Guam since 2019

Lourdes Aflague "Lou" Leon Guerrero is an American politician and former nurse who has served as the 9th governor of Guam since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Guerrero is the first woman to serve in the position. Leon Guerrero had served in the Guam Legislature from 1995 to 1999 and again from 2001 to 2007. From 2007 to 2017, Leon Guerrero was president and CEO of the Bank of Guam.

Frank Flores Blas Sr. was a Guamanian politician, businessman and member of the Republican Party of Guam. Blas served as the 5th Lieutenant Governor of Guam from January 5, 1987 until January 2, 1995 for two consecutive terms under Governor Joseph Franklin Ada.

Edward Diego "Eddie" Reyes was a Guamanian politician and retired United States Air Force colonel. Reyes served as the 4th Lieutenant Governor of Guam from January 3, 1983, to January 5, 1987, under Governor Ricardo Bordallo, having been elected in 1982 as Bordallo's running mate.

Rudolph Guerrero Sablan was a Guamanian politician and member of the Democratic Party of Guam. Sablan served as the 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Guam from January 6, 1975 to January 1, 1979 under Governor Ricardo Bordallo.

A general election was held in Guam on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Voters in Guam chose their governor, their non-voting delegate to the United States House of Representatives, attorney general, public auditor, as well as all fifteen members of the territorial legislature. The election coincides with the United States mid-term elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Tenorio</span> Guamanian politician and businessman

Joshua "Josh" Franquez Tenorio is a Guamanian politician and businessman currently serving as the 10th Lieutenant Governor of Guam since January 7, 2019. He is the first openly gay lieutenant governor elected in the United States and is a member of the Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Guamanian gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Guamanian gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Guam. Incumbent Democratic governor Lou Leon Guerrero, who was elected in 2018 with 50.7% of the vote, sought a second term. She faced former Republican governor Felix Camacho.

References

  1. ↑ "For Voters". Guam Election Commission. February 9, 2018. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Gilbert, Haidee Eugenio. "Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio, Bank of Guam President Lou Leon Guerrero square off in fiery 'Great Debate'". The Greenville News. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  3. 1 2 Gilbert, Haidee Eugenio. "Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio, Lou Leon Guerrero face off over tourism economy". The Greenville News. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  4. ↑ "Republican gubernatorial team Tenorio-Ada makes it official". Guampdn.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "Aguon and Limtiaco launch gubernatorial campaign". Guampdn.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  6. ↑ "Lou Leon Guerrero to run for governor in 2018". Guampdn.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  7. ↑ "Lourdes Aflague Leon Guerrero". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  8. ↑ "Former Gov. Carl Gutierrez confirms run for governor". Guampdn.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  9. ↑ Delgado, Nick. "Gutierrez taps Fred Bordallo as his running mate". Kuam.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  10. ↑ "Sen. Rodriguez announces run for governor". Guampdn.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  11. ↑ "Sen. Dennis Rodriguez Jr. announces Dave Cruz as running mate". Guampdn.com. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  12. ↑ "Summary Report – Unofficial Results". Gec.guam.gov. Archived from the original on October 20, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  13. ↑ Cagurangan, Mar-Vic (2018-10-29). "Does birthplace matter?". pactimes. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  14. 1 2 3 Lujan, Tihu (2018-11-05). "Should a candidate emphasize ethnicity? Observers weigh in". The Guam Daily Post. Retrieved 2023-12-31.

Official campaign websites

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.