by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - The Democratic Party of Guam wrapped its first listening tour over the weekend in Agat.

Party chairman Rory Respicio says the meetings allowed the party to get feedback from the community on various issues from public education and youth programs to support for the democrat majority's effort in seeking a declaratory judgment with the supreme court. Respicio adds the party however has yet to secure a gubernatorial ticket for this year's election.

"Part of this listening tour and this grassroots effort is to get suggestions from individuals as to who they'd like to see run for Governor and Lt. Governor. We're going down this very important process to empower people, to engage them, and at the end of this process certainly we'll have a team," he said.

No date has been set for the democrat's next listening tour, but more are expected in the coming weeks. And while the democrats are without a team, it appears the republicans might have a challenger within their own party. According to the Guam Election Commission, Jonathan Frank Blaz Diaz picked up a packet for governor under the Republican Party. Diaz ran as an independent for Congress in the 2012 election but had previously ran as a democrat for senator and congress in past elections. Diaz did not respond to our calls for comment. Governor Eddie Calvo and Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio meanwhile continue their village outreach meetings this Sunday in Dededo at the residence of Ruth Mesa.