Central Guam residents use their votes to voice their concerns

It’s been long awaited, and now the Primary Election is here. KUAM News visiting a few central polling sites to speak with island residents on their hopes for tonight.

Dean Aguon shared, "It’s very important for us the voters to choose who’s going to lead our island and hopefully the best person wins."

A anonymous island resident showed their endorsed candidates, saying, "I guess I like grassroots candidates."

Voters were seen swiftly moving in and out of the different central polling sites. We spoke with island resident Brent Tibbats about his voting experience at George Washington High School in Mangilao. "It was good," he summarized. "People were very friendly and professional and it was quick and I don’t know why more people don’t do it."

We made our way to John F. Kennedy High School in Tamuning where Governor Lou Leon Guerrero casted her vote. She expressed her gratitude to those that have been by her side during her term and quest for reelection, saying, "Thank you to all of my supporters, our supporters are so energized. Thank you for your energy and your commitment and most of all thank you for believing in Josh and I. Thank you that is so honorable and humbling for me as governor and certainly will continue to provide whatever we can to lift up our peoples lives."

Former governor Felix Camacho, again a gubernatorial candidate, was also present at JFK to cast his ballot. "Like they’ve always been, I voted republican," he said with a smile.

While the gubernatorial team will advance on to the general election, he encourages supporters to still remain on the GOP side of the ballot. "Typically when there is a non-competitive primary, more people will tend to vote where there is competition we have encouraged the supporters of the Camacho/Ada team to not play games by going on the other side to try to determine who will win but rather stay with the party and help us get the numbers the requisite numbers we need to get into the general because you still do need to reach a certain threshold of voters," said Camacho.

Central voters in Tamuning, Mangilao, and Ordot-Chalan Pago shared what qualities they’re looking for in their next elected officials

Kora Cepeda hoped "they follow through with their promises", and Rico Ryhco Eustaquio wants, "Honesty, for the people, I guess."

"Just to be honest, trustworthy and integrity," Aguon said. And our new anonymous friend said, "I think just keeping with their promises."

Bernie Charfaurous hopes for, "Helping all the people."

"People that are honest, people that are hardworking, people that take care of Guam and put Guam first over other interests. Those are top things for me," Tibbats said.

Some Island residents were vocal about their concerns in the community. Eugene Aguon said, "I’m looking for help for the hospital because of the pandemic they’re over worked and safety."

Cepeda also said she wants change in our hospital, health and our police officers. "We need to put more focus on workers, especially with the unemployment up right now. There needs to be more protections for old workers coming back into the workforce as well as new workers coming into the workforce."

"Guam’s future, as far as our involvement in the world, our independence or political status," added Dean Aguon. "More importantly just the island recovering from COVID. We have too many people struggling out there we have the right leadership to take us to the next stage."

Tonight we’ll find out who the voters selected to move on to the general election in November.