Newcomers get the spotlight at Guam business group's senatorial forum

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Along with incumbent senators running for reelection and old-timers attempting a comeback, more than a dozen new faces are hitting the campaign trail, hoping to join the ranks of the 39th Guam Legislature.

Who are these newcomers? What are their backgrounds? What do they propose to bring to the table?

The Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce will put the spotlight on first-time candidates running for senator at a legislative forum scheduled for June 27, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Guam Community College Multi-Purpose Auditorium.

The forum is designed "to help members and the broader community stay informed and engaged ahead of the upcoming election" and to give political neophytes the floor to introduce themselves and share their platforms, the women's chamber said in a press release.

New Republican candidates who will make their public introduction at the forum are Joseph Arriola, Gregorio Calvo, Alexander Duenas, Matteo Mortera, Jonathan Savares and Raffaele Sgambelluri.

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Democratic candidates confirmed to attend are Fred Bordallo Jr., David Duenas, Lillian Guerrero, Sarah Nededog, Kallen Perez, Donna Quinata, Angel Sablan, Anthony Taijeron, Joaquin Taitague and Gerald Yingling.

Other newcomers to the race, but not on the chamber's attendance list, are Robert Benavente, Joaquin Cruz, Hoa Nguyen, Angela Santos and Brandon Vera.

Some of the "new" candidates ran unsuccessful campaigns in previous elections, including Bordallo, Duenas, Nededog and Santos.

A total of 36 candidates—18 Democrats and 18 Republicans—are running for the legislature in the Aug. 1 primary, which will nominate 15 from each camp.

Candidates who successfully land on their respective parties' 15-slot slate will advance to the Nov. 3 general elections, which will decide whether the Republicans will retain control of the 39th Guam Legislature.

Six current senators have bowed out of the legislative race to run for higher office, leaving nine incumbents on the reelection campaign.

Speaker Frank Blas Jr. and Vice Speaker Tony Ada are seeking the Republican nomination for governor. Blas is running with retired Mary Okada, the former president of Guam Community College, while Ada has teamed up with businessman E.J. Calvo.

Sen. Therese Tarlaje is seeking the Democratic nomination, with Sen. Sabina Perez as her running mate.

 Also seeking the Democratic vote in the nomination contest is Sen. Joe San Agustin, who is running with former Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas.

Sen. Tina Muna Barnes is a candidate for lieutenant governor, with Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio forming a three-way race for the Democratic nomination.

The remaining two incumbent Democrats seeking reelection are Sens. Chris Darrel Barnett and William Parkinson.

Hoping to retain their seats on the Republican aisle are Sens. Vince Borja, Shelly Calvo, Chris Duenas, Shawn Gumataotao, Jesse Lujan, Sabrina Matanane and Telo Taitague.

Former Republican senators hoping to return are Louisa Borja, Wil Castro, Telena Nelson, Roy Quinata, Amanda Shelton and Clynton Ridgel.

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