Terlaje-Perez, Ada-Calvo advance to general elections; Limtiaco to challenge Moylan in congressional race

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The Democratic ticket of Therese Terlaje and Sabina Perez and the Republican team of Tony Ada and Edward J. Calvo will advance to the November gubernatorial election after winning the Aug. 1 primaries, which had a 39.81 percent voter turnout.

Democrat Alicia Limtiaco will challenge the incumbent Republican James Moylan for the delegate seat. Limtiaco, who ran uncontested, garnered 9,876 votes.

The Terlaje-Perez team, whose campaign theme focuses on transparency and accountability, defeated Joshua Tenorio and his running mate Tina Muna Barnes by 460 votes.

Tenorio-Barnes promptly conceded after the Guam Elections Commission completed the tabulation with the final unofficial results. Joe San Agustin and running mate Dwayne San Nicolas ranked the tail end with 1,041 votes.

Therese Terlaje, right, with Sabina Perez . Screenshot/KUAM

"We have already reached out to congratulate Sen. Terlaje and Sen. Perez, and wish them success. Because regardless of who wins an election, we all want the same thing: a stronger Guam, a more united Guam, and a brighter future for our children," Tenri-Muna Barnes said in a statement. 

Ada-Calvo beat Speaker Frank Blas Jr. and his running mate Mary Okada by 1,805 votes.

For the Republican Party's congressional nomination, Moylan gained 4,926 votes, beating his challenger, Mary Torres, who received 3,258 votes.

Tony Ada and EJ Calvo. Screenshot KUAM

Torres congratulated Moylan. "The voters have made their decision, and I respect it," she said in a statement. "This is not the result we worked for, but my heart is full of gratitude. To every person who opened their door, shared a concern, volunteered, carried a sign, or cast a vote for this campaign— thank you."

Of the total 57,406 registered voters, 22,852 votes were cast.

Sen. Jesse Lujan topped the Republican primary for the senatorial race, while Sen. Chris Barneet ranked first on the Democratic side.

A statement from Josh Tenorio & Tina Muña-Barnes 

Today, the people of Guam have spoken

While this is not the outcome we had hoped for, it is an outcome that we accept with humility, respect, and gratitude. 

We have already reached out to congratulate Senator Terlaje and Senator Perez, and wish them success. Because regardless of who wins an election, we all want the same thing: a stronger Guam, a more united Guam, and a brighter future for our children. To every volunteer, to every supporter, to every person who walked neighborhoods, made phone calls,  prayed for our campaign, and believed in this vision: thank you. 

Thank you for your faith. Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for reminding us, every single day, that there are still people willing to serve something greater than themselves. We will never forget that.

Our island has always been strongest when we live out the value of inafa'maolek — that we rise by lifting one another up. That truth is just as important today as it was yesterday. 

So let us not allow disappointment to become division. Let us not allow politics to become personal. And let us never forget that when the campaign ends, we are still neighbors. We still worship in the same churches. Our children still attend the same schools. We still live in the same villages. 

We are, and always will be, one island.

A Statement from Senator Mary Camacho Torres

“I congratulate Congressman Moylan on his victory and wish him well in the campaign ahead. The voters have made their decision, and I respect it.

This is not the result we worked for, but my heart is full of gratitude. To every person who opened their door, shared a concern, volunteered, carried a sign, or cast a vote for this campaign— thank you.

We began this race with a simple belief: no family should be priced out of the island they call home. Our families deserve security, our children deserve opportunity, and all of us deserve an island that is safe, strong, and free.

That belief does not change because of tonight’s result. The stories and struggles shared with us throughout this campaign are real, and they deserve to remain at the center of the work ahead.

To our supporters and volunteers: you gave the people of Guam a choice, elevated the issues affecting our community, and built a campaign that offered real hope for our island’s future.

My commitment to Guam did not begin with this campaign, and it will not end tonight. I will continue standing up for our families, speaking honestly about the challenges we face, and working to move our island forward.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in me, standing beside me, and sharing your vision for Guam. I will always be grateful for the journey we shared—and proud of what we stood for together.

Si Yu’os Ma’åse’.