Guam - The Decision 2010 season has officially begun.  Dozens of potential candidates vying for an elected position have filed their candidacy with the Guam Election Commission.  It was a busy day for the commission staff who receiving candidate packets from last-minute filers. 

5pm Tuesday was the deadline for partisan candidates running in 2010 primary election. Those races include gubernatorial, senatorial, and the positions of delegate to U.S. Congress, attorney general and vice-mayor of Agat.  GEC Executive Director John Blas says the office is in the process of verifying all candidates paperwork including petition signatures, court and police clearances, felony affidavits and certification of eligibility.

Blas says he will present the qualified candidates information to the GEC board during their next meeting on July 14.  The board, he says, will then through a motion officially certify the candidates.  The primary election is set for September 4.  That is, unless, "In order for the primary election to be canceled in this case for the Legislature, they would have to have both all parties Republican and Democrat would have to have 15 candidates or fewer for that election to be canceled," said Blas.

Non-partisan race candidates for the Guam Education Policy Board and the Consolidated Commission on utilities have until September 3 to file their candidacy as those races are expected to be included on the November general election ballot.

Blas says that's of course dependent on two bills before the Legislature - one that would change the status of the GEPB, making members appointed by the governor rather than elected, and another that would make the attorney general appointed rather than elected.

"That really could change our election process for those races should those bills actually get passed and signed into law," he said.

For now, Blas says, they are still preparing to conduct elections for all the races.

Making it official today as the second GOP gubernatorial team of Mike Cruz and Jim Espaldon, who filed their candidacy with the GEC late this afternoon. Surrounded by family and supporters, the duo submitted their petition signatures and the documents.  With a campaign slogan of "Trust Guam", the team pledges to lead with integrity and vision to shape the way government works and bring trust back to the government.  

The duo will go head-to-head in the primary with the team of Eddie Calvo and Ray Tenorio.

Meanwhile with the filing deadline today, the Democratic gubernatorial team of Carl Gutierrez and Frank Aguon, Jr. will run unopposed in the primary, which means they'll go up against the winner of the Republican primary in November's general election.

While the Guam Election Commission prepares for the upcoming primary election, one thing that could throw a wrench in their preparations for the general election is a lease with the landlord, the GCIC Building. Executive Director Blas says the landlord is requesting a six-month advance in rent in order to extend the lease past September. The problem is it is a general practice of the government not to make advance payments, meaning the Commission could be forced to move on September 30 when their lease runs up smack-dab in the middle of election season.

DECISION 2010 CANDIDATE LIST

Gubernatorial Race

Democrats

  • Carl TC Gutierrez & Frank Aguon, Jr. 

Republicans

  • Eddie  Calvo & Ray Tenorio
  • Mike Cruz & James Espaldon

 

Washington Delegate

Democrats

  • Madeleine Z. Bordallo

 

Senatorial

Democrats

  • Adolpho B. Palacios, Sr.
  • Tomas M. Fejeran
  • Joe S. San Agustin
  • Judith P. Guthertz
  • Robert LG Benavente
  • Dennis Rodriguez, Jr.
  • Tina Rose Muna  Barnes
  • Corinna Gutierrez-Ludwig
  • Phillipe J. Cruz
  • Benjamin JF Cruz
  • Tom Ada 
  • Sarah M. Thomas-Nededog
  • Judith T. Won Pat
  • Rory Respicio
  • Steven A. Dierking
  • Vincent C. Pangelinan 
  • Trini Torres
  • Jonathan Diaz
  • Jonathan Carriaga
  • Amanda Santos
  • Margerita Taitano

Republicans

  • Telo T. Taitague
  • Mana Silva Taijeron
  • Vic Gaza
  • Armando S. Dominguez
  • Stephen J. Guerrero
  • William Q. Sarmiento
  • Dr. Dennis Borja
  • Dr. Aline Yamashita
  • Chris Duenas
  • William U. Taitague
  • Frank Blas, Jr.
  • Anthony "Tony" Ada
  • Shirley Mabini
  • Douglas Moylan (DRAFT)
  • Aln G. Salas
  • Velma Harper
  • Ray Haddock
  • Paul LG Reyes
  • John B. Benavente

Agat Vice Mayoral Race

Democrats

  • Derick B. Hills

Republican

  • Joseph N. Salas
  • Agustin Quintanilla

 

Attorney General Race

  • Leonardo Rapadas
  • Gary Gumataotao
  • William Bischoff