Blas, Bordallo announced Congressional bids

by Nick Delgado

Guam - It's definitely a sign of election season, as two candidates have announced their bid for Congress this year. "It is high time that we put and end to the pleasant but powerless reputation Guam has in Washington, DC and anywhere else in the world where we have been portrayed as such. That is why ladies and gentlemen I come before you today to announce my candidacy to be your next Delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives," said Frank Blas, Jr.

The minority leader made it clear today before family, friends and supporters that he is moving on from the Legislature and will be competing for a seat in Congress. Running on a grass roots platform - Blas says it's time the people of Guam's concerns are addressed on an intimate level. "How can one understand the anxiety of a father over the uncertainty of his family's healthcare coverage or medical needs if that person or their family doesn't live here? How can one relate to the frustration of a community with decisions being made thousands of miles away when coming back to the community with decisions being made thousands of miles away when coming back the community you're supposed to be representing is considered a visit?" he said.

Blas referring to the current delegate Madeleine Bordallo, who also announced that she will go up for a sixth term. Bordallo states quote, "I believe we have tremendous progress on the issues most important to the people of Guam. I look forward to the upcoming campaign and making a contrast between my lifetime of experience and accomplishments and any other candidate who may be running to be Guam's Delegate to Congress. Elections are an opportunity for voters to listen to the various candidates and select the most qualified and experienced individuals they believe will best represent their interests. I never take for granted any election contest." She adds, "As long as I am elected, I will continue to uphold the people's trust and fight for their issues in Congress. I encourage all voters to carefully examine the records of all candidates running in this election and select the individual who is most able to advocate for them in Washington. This is our democratic process at work."

Blas says the current delegate has made some strides, and hopes to set partisan politics aside. Blas also chose take the leap so that issues that have been ignored, such as wars reparations, impacts of the Compacts of Free Association and the effect from Obamacare has on our health industry will be addressed. When asked what he thinks about running against Bordallo who has been the delegate for the past decade, he replied, ""I'm going to win - I'm going to win because of the many people who have encouraged me everyday, that have called me, that I've met, I've touched their hands I've spoken to them and met in their homes and asked for their support."