Guam Republicans up the ante; former governors join Ada-Calvo campaign team

Felix Camacho, Eddie Calvo and Joseph Ada

By Mar-Vic Cagurangan and Jayvee Vallejera

The Republican Party of Guam is making a strong push, with three former governors set to steer the Ada-Calvo campaign leading up to the Nov. 3 gubernatorial race.

Joseph Ada, Felix Camacho and Eddie Calvo are named honorary chairs of the campaign for gubernatorial candidate Tony Ada and his running mate, Edward "EJ" Calvo.

They are running against Democrats Therese Terlaje and Sabina Perez, who pulled a surprise victory in the Aug. 1 primary despite a low-budget campaign. They narrowly defeated Joshua Tenorio and Tina Muna Barnes, who were backed by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero.

The Ada-Calvo campaign held a press conference on Thursday to "formally recognize the three former governors in their honorary campaign roles," providing a unified front for the Republican Party and injecting an “old guard” perspective into the campaign.

“This is about bringing everybody together for the betterment of our island, but most especially for the people of Guam,” said Tony Ada, vice speaker of the 38th Guam Legislature.

Republicans occupied the highest political post in Adelup for 16 years until Leon Guerrero took office in 2019.

“Folks, not to brag, but that's 16 years of Republican leadership that took Guam to its greatest heights,” said Eddie Calvo, who was the island's governor from 2011 to 2019. 

Eddie Calvo succeeded Camacho, who served from 2003 to 2011. Joseph Ada was Guam's fifth governor, serving from 1987 to 1995.

The three former governors are stepping back into the political scene in an apparent bid to reinforce the party's machinery and perk up this year's sleepy campaign.

Tony Ada and Edward EJ Calvo are joined by members of the Republican Party during a press conference at Ture in Hagatna on Aug. 27, 2026. Photo courtesy of AC Campaign

The August primary had a 39.81 voter turnout, with 15,523 Democrats and 8,679 Republicans showing up at the polls to cast their votes.

Ada and Calvo are both connected to Guam's prominent political families. Ada is the son of the late Sen. Vicente "Ben" Ada, while Calvo is a cousin of Eddie Calvo and grandnephew of the late former Gov. Paul M. Calvo.

While they will not be directly involved in day-to-day campaign operations, the three governors' collective experience and decades of leadership can give the Ada-Calvo team some perspectives, Eddie Calvo said.

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They can also offer advice “whenever we can," said Camacho, son of former Gov. Carlos G. Camacho. “But I think it’s a show of unity from generations of leaders."

Camacho acknowledged that the campaign won't be easy, but he pointed out that Tony Ada is a seasoned politician familiar with the drill.

It will be in the actual performance of his responsibilities where he can offer support and words of advice. 

Eddie Calvo said Tony Ada and EJ Calvo are building on the history and work of Guam’s past political giants.

Eddie Calvo, son of former Gov. Paul M. Calvo, claimed that Republican leaders provided stability and built the path of growth for Guam. 

“There's a lot to be done, but I think collaboratively, we can do it,” he added. 

This story has been updated.

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