By Jayvee Vallejera
In contrasting himself against his Democratic opponent, incumbent Guam Del. James Moylan pointed to his legislative track record, his status as an Army veteran and his continuous residence on Guam.
The Republican delegate took a dig at Ginger Cruz’s foray into Guam politics, noting that she just returned to the island after being away for so long.
In contrast, Moylan said he has been in Guam this whole time and can relate to the struggles many in the community face “because I've been here,”
“My opponent returned to Guam recently after leaving for two decades and just became a registered voter of Guam,” he said in an email interview. “With my opponent, there is no track record as a public servant of Guam, and many still wonder who she is. This is a huge difference.”
Cruz, a Democrat, pointed out that her experience of working with the secretaries of the State and Defense departments gives her the necessary skillset to benefit Guam as the territory’s next delegate.
“Whether it was building a private consulting firm focused on federal compliance or operating at the highest levels of local and federal government, I have the real-world experience needed to get things done,” she said in an email interview.
Cruz criticized Moylan’s performance, accusing him of losing $300 million in Compact impact aid for Guam. She said Moylan’s claim of being a friend of the current Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Mike Johnson, also failed Guam, since it was Johnson himself who blocked compensation for Guam’s radiation survivors.
Moylan leaned on what he describes as his proven track record, what he has fought for, how he and his team have addressed constituent issues, and how they worked across the aisle in Congress to benefit Guam.
Being a former Guam senator and as an incumbent member of Congress is critical since this role “requires more than just having to navigate the legislative process," Moylan said.
Cruz said she has also worked with several members and committees of Congress, and been directly involved in the crafting and implementing federal policies that have national and global impacts.
“These are not hypothetical experiences—they are successes I’ve been a part of for years and I still maintain powerful connections in Washington, D.C. that will help get our issues heard,” she added.
She said she has experience in operating in “no-fail” environments “where success wasn’t just an option—it was a requirement,” and she believes this equips her for what she will face in the U.S. Congress.
“Congress is tough. You have to know what you are talking about—always being credible and convincing. That is how I’ve lived my professional life,” she added.

When asked about his congressional priorities if reelected this November, Moylan said he intends to continue working on the many issues that he and his team have already started in the 118th Congress, including ensuring that Guam maximizes the federal benefits going its way, while prioritizing the safety of Guam, its people, and the region and making sure that veteran issues are always a priority.
Cruz is building her campaign on a four-pronged priority plan of action, while also banking on her real-world experience that she says is needed “in order to get things done.”
Cruz said her vision for Guam identifies four top priorities that are focused on creating jobs, lowering the cost of living, increasing affordable housing, and investing in education, which she says are crucial issues for Guam’s future.
“We need to aim higher, have a plan and then have the professional staff and leadership to deliver for the people of Guam,” she said.
Moylan said: “There are so many…issues which we will tackle, which are also part of our continuation of what we accomplished this past term.”
Since Guam has historically received support from the U.S. military to supplement its economy, Moylan said he will continue to strive to serve on the House Armed Services Committee. He pointed out that Guam secured over $3.2 billion in investments in Fiscal Year 2024, including maximizing the budget request to fund the Guam missile defense.
Cruz accused Moylan of claiming credit for the billions in dollars that went to Guam, which she said was the result of the work of the U.S. Defense Department.
Moylan said the cost of airline fares is the No. 1 concern of servicemembers living on Guam, so he intends to continue his push for cabotage exemptions for Guam to help lower that cost.
He said he will also work on lowering the airfare cost between Guam and the neighboring island of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Moylan said his team is now finalizing a measure for a U.S, Department of Defense's version of the Essential Air Service grant, to assist in reducing fares for flights between the two territories.
Commentaires