The Republican Party’s gubernatorial team of Tony Ada and Edward Calvo won Tuesday’s close race, beating the Democratic team of Therese Terlaje and her running mate, Sabina Perez, by securing 51 percent of the vote.
The Ada-Calvo team, which ran a well-oiled campaign machine with the full backing of former Republican governors, garnered 15,945 votes, compared with Terlaje-Perez’s 14,925.
The Guam Elections Commission recorded a 53.11 percent voter turnout.
In the congressional race, the incumbent Republican James Moylan lost his bid for a third term to his Democratic challenger Alicia Limtiaco, former attorney general. She received 15,645 voters, beating Moylan’s 14,983.
In a five-way race for attorney general, former chief prosecutor Phil Tydingco beat the incumbent Douglas Moylan by more than 1,500 votes.
In the race for the 39th Guam Legislature, the Republicans retain a one-seat majority.
Chris Barnnet, an incumbent Democrat, was the top vote-getter, followed by Amanda Shelton, a former senator.
Besides Shelton, two other former senators, Telena Nelson and Clynt Ridgell, both Democrats, are returning to the session hall.
Newcomers include Hoa Nguyen. Dona Muna Quinata, Tina Muna Barnes’ sister, and Kalene Perez.
Returning incumbents besides Barnett are Sabrina Matatane, Jesse Lujan, Chris Duenas, Wil Parkinson, Telo Taitague, Vincent Borja, Shelly Calvo and Shawn Gumataotao.
New seats opened when seven incumbents, Frank Blas Jr., Tony Ada, Joe San Agustin, Therese Terlaje, Sabina Perez, and Tina Muna Barnes, ran for Adelup.
Conceding defeat, incumbent Republican Del. James Moylan vowed to extend support to his Democratic challenger, Alicia Limtiaco, who won in Tuesday’s hotly contested congressional seat.
“Now is a time for unity. Regardless of where we stood during this election, we are all one Guam,” the incumbent delegate said, congratulating Limtiaco.
“The challenges facing our island are bigger than any one candidate, political party, or election and moving forward will require us to come together with mutual respect and a shared commitment to our future,” Moylan said.
Unofficial results showed Limtiaco receiving 15,645 votes, which accounted for 51 percent of the vote, crushing Moylan’s bid for a third term. The incumbent delegate garnered 14,983 votes, or 48.84 percent.
“The people of Guam have spoken, and I respect their decision,” Moylan said in a statement following the Guam Elections Commission’s release of the final tally.
‘Alicia ran an honourable campaign, and I have great respect for her dedication and commitment to serving our island. Alicia has my full support as she prepares to take on the responsibility of representing Guam in the United States Congress,” he added.
Moylan said his office will facilitate a smooth transition.
“As I complete my term, my commitment to Guam remains unchanged. I will continue to carry out my responsibilities with the same attention, dedication, and respect that this office and our people deserve,” he added.
Moylan became the first Republican to hold the congressional seat in more than three decades when he won his first term in 2022. Before his 2022 victory, Ben Garrido Blaz was the only Republican to hold the Guam delegate seat from 1985 to 1993.
“Serving as your representative in Congress has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I will forever be grateful for the trust you placed in me,” Moylan said.
“Elections are a vital part of our democracy, and while we may have different perspectives and ideas about the path forward, we all share a common love for our island and a desire to see our people thrive,” he said.
