From left, Nevada Governor-Elect Steve Sisolak, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, Wyoming Governor-Elect Mark Gordon, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Guam Governor-Elect Lou Leon Guerrero, Colorado Governor-Elect Jared Polis, Kansas Governor-Elect Laura Kelly, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, and Idaho Governor-Elect Brad Little. Photo courtesy of the Gubernatorial Transition Team
It's all over, as the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio ticket is certified the winner and Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio conceded the election.
A count Friday by the Guam Election Commission has put the kibosh on the hopes of the GOP gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio and write-in candidate Sen. Frank Aguon Jr. that the count would force a run-off by lowering the Leon Guerrero-Joshua Tenorio ticket below the required 50 percent plus 1 of the total required for victory.
Aguon and former Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco would have needed all the absentee and provisional ballots counted Friday. Instead, the Guam Election Commission count added 175 more votes for Leon Guerrero-Tenorio, 68 for Tenorio-Ada and 41 for Aguon-Limtiaco.
The count boosted Leon Guerrero 286 above the level that would have triggered a recount. The GEC certified the results later in the day.
“I am elated that the election season is now over and humbled by the confidence shown to Josh and I by the people of Guam. We are honored to have prevailed in a very competitive field.” said Governor-elect Leon Guerrero.
“Now that this election is behind us, the important work of our Transition Team continues. We are grateful to Governor Calvo and his Administration for their commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and look forward to our Transition Team’s report, which will provide us guidance as we assume Adelup. This has been a long campaign and I commend each candidate who responded to the important call to public service. I look forward to working with every member of the Guam Legislature as we address the many challenges ahead and respond to the needs of our people.” she added.
“I am grateful to the Governor-elect for choosing me to be a part of our island’s history. I will work earnestly alongside Governor-elect Leon Guerrero to make Guam better for everyone.” said Lt. Governor-elect Josh Tenorio.
Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio conceded the election in a statement:“Tony and I thank all our supporters, families and all those who participated in the 2018 election. We especially congratulate all those elected into offices and pray our Lord’s blessings on them and our island. I thank the people of Guam for the honor to have served them as their lieutenant governor the past eight years. We sincerely rally behind Lou and Josh now as we wish them the very best in their leadership to improve our people and their future. God bless Guam,” Tenorio said.
Another question was resolved as one Guam Democrat beat another for the 15th seat in the island legislature. Jose Terlaje prevailed over Celestin Babauta for the last seat by a 54 vote margin.
The Leon Guerrero-Tenorio team last week announced the subcommittee members of the transition team led by chair Mary Okada and co-chair Loling Sauder,
"I am very pleased and confident in the growing leadership of the Transition Team. They reflect a level of competency and professionalism that will serve in the impartial review of our government in preparation for our incoming administration,” Leon Guerrero said.
The transition team’s subcommittee leaders include former senators Toni Sanford, Carlotta Leon Guerrero and Rory Respicio; attorney Anita Arriola, Jon Junior Calvo, Stephanie Flores, Ruth Gurasamy, attorney Haig Huynh, Therese Arroyo-Mantanane, Derrick Quinata and Dan Tydingco.
The team’s advisors include Sen. Tom Ada and former governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez, former senators John Perez Aguon and Francis Santos, and former Assistant Secretary of the Interior Tony Babauta.
The Gubernatorial Transition Team is scheduled to have its first official meeting with Governor Calvo’s transition team on Nov. 26.
Over the weekend, Leon Guerrero attended a biennial seminar for new governors at the invitation of the National Governors Association in Colorado Springs, CO. The three-day seminar brought together incumbent and newly elected governors from across the country for a series of sessions as governor-elects transition from campaigning to governing.
Leon Guerrero returns to Guam on Tuesday.
“The NGA Seminar for New Governors provided me with the unique opportunity to hear firsthand the challenges and successes of incumbent governors when governing,” Leon Guerrero said. “I also had the chance to begin networking with my fellow governors-elect, building important relationships with our federal partners, and better utilizing NGA resources to advance the mutual issues between governors in the states and the territories as well as prioritizing Guam-specific issues at the national level.”