2022 Guamanian gubernatorial election

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.[1] She faced former Republican governor Felix Camacho.

2022 Guamanian gubernatorial election

← 2018 November 8, 2022 2026 →
 
Nominee Lou Leon Guerrero Felix Camacho
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate Josh Tenorio Tony Ada
Popular vote 18,623 14,786
Percentage 55.49% 44.06%

Results by village
Guerrero:      50–60%      60–70%
Camacho:      50–60%

Governor before election

Lou Leon Guerrero
Democratic

Elected Governor

Lou Leon Guerrero
Democratic

Guerrero defeated Camacho in the general election, winning a second term as governor.[2] Guerrero was the first Democratic governor of Guam elected to a second term in office since Carl Gutierrez in 1998.

Background

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In 2018, Lou Leon Guerrero became the first woman elected governor of Guam, as well as the first Democrat elected to the office in twenty years. During her tenure in office, Leon Guerrero led the territory's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee

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Eliminated in primary

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Campaign

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Leon Guerrero was challenged in the Democratic primary by San Nicolas, who had represented Guam's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019. San Nicolas' campaign emphasized improving staffing at the Guam Behavioral and Wellness Center in order to better respond to drug addiction and mental health issues on the island. San Nicolas criticized Leon Guerrero's record on land return for Chamorro communities, and alleged insufficient transparency regarding the Simon Sanchez High School rehabilitation project.[6]

Results

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Democratic primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic
12,224 62.49%
Democratic
7,309 37.37%
Write-in 27 0.14%
Total votes 19,560 100.0%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee

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Declined

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Results

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Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican 3,008 99.41%
Write-in 18 0.59%
Total votes 3,026 100.0%

General election

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Campaign

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During the general election, Democratic primary runners-up San Nicolas and his running mate, Salas Matanane, publicly urged Guamanians to vote against Leon Guerrero's reelection.[11]

Republican nominee Camacho criticized the governor for allegedly "hoarding" around $300 million in federal relief funds in the Bank of Guam, of which Leon Guerrero had previously been CEO of.[12] The Leon Guerrero campaign accused Camacho of avoiding opportunities to debate in public settings.[13]

Results

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2022 Guam gubernatorial election[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic
18,623 55.49% +4.7%
Republican 14,786 44.06% +17.67%
Write-in 152 0.45% -22.37%
Total votes 33,561 100.0%
Turnout 34,074 56.36%
Registered electors 60,462
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ a b c Delgado, Nick. "Governor to seek reelection". The Guam Daily Post.
  2. ^ Gowing, Clarissa (2022-11-08). "Democrat Leon Guerrero reelected governor, Republican Moylan elected as delegate in Guam". Pasquines. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  3. ^ a b c Eugenio Gilbert, Haidee (October 11, 2021). "1 gubernatorial, 1 senatorial team have filed GEC report". The Guam Daily Post. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  4. ^ Licanto, Nestor (September 29, 2021). "San Nicolas considering running for governor in 2022". KUAM News. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Gilbert, Haidee. "San Nicolas to run for governor with journalist as running mate". www.mvariety.com. Marianas Variety. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Democratic showdown: Leon Guerrero, San Nicolas trade barbs on debate stage". Pacific Times. 2022-06-01. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  7. ^ a b "2022 Primary Election: Official Results".
  8. ^ a b Taitano, Joe (22 February 2022). "Former Gov. Felix Camacho seeking another term in 2022 alongside Sen. Tony Ada". www.gaumpdn.com. Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  9. ^ Haidee Eugenio Gilbert (November 5, 2019). "Early birds: Some of Guam's earliest potential candidates in the 2020, 2022 elections". Pacific Daily News.
  10. ^ Daily Post Staff (March 25, 2021). "Republicans in Legislature no longer led by Moylan". The Guam Daily Post.
  11. ^ Gowing, Clarissa (September 28, 2023). "San Nicolas tells Guam citizens not to vote for Leon Guerrero". Pasquines. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  12. ^ "Camacho to governor: Stop hoarding millions in your bank!". KANDIT News Group. 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  13. ^ Licanto, Nestor (2022-10-05). "Camacho/Ada camp criticized by opposition for shunning debates". KUAM. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  14. ^ "2022 General Election: Unofficial Results". Guam Election Commission.