By Jayvee Vallejera
Ginger Cruz, who led Saturday’s primary election in Guam to become the opponent of incumbent Del. James Moylan, plans to bank on her high-level federal experience to push for Guam’s agenda if she wins this
November’s election.
Moylan, on the other hand, will attempt to persuade voters based on what he has already done for Guam as the incumbent delegate.
Cruz, who will be the Democratic Party’s candidate for delegate, said she has many years of experience not only in advising the U.S. Congress on policy and but also in implementing it at an executive level, which she said the current
delegate has never done.
“I have relationships spanning decades that can help move Guam’s agenda forward, and most importantly, you can trust that I will be an effective representative for Guam on any stage,” she told the Pacific Island Times.
Toward that end, Cruz said she will be meeting with her Democratic colleagues in the next few days with the goal of uniting them, getting their input and sharing their visions for change.
“Our work has just started. We have taken a first strong step [toward] bringing change to Washington, D.C. and already new energy has been brought to the conversation on our island about our shared future. With the input of our people we will strengthen our platform to widen the circle of our campaign regardless of party, ethnicity, or creed,” she added.
Cruz, who faced off with Sen. Amanda Shelton and former Del. Michael San Nicolas in the Democratic primary for delegate, said they ran because they all believe that Guam urgently needs a new era of leadership in Washington, D.C.
“The choice before us is clear. We can continue to do what we have always done and get what we have always gotten. Or we can elect bold new leadership that guards against threats and fully takes advantage of the opportunities before
Guam at this incredible time in our history,” she added.
Saturday’s primary had a turnout of just 31.16 percent of the 60,313 registered voters in Guam, according to the Guam Election Commission tally.
Officials said it made it the second- lowest voter turnout of any primary in Guam's history.
Moylan, who ran unopposed on the Republican Party ticket, described the turnout as concerning—something that campaign teams and political parties need to address as Guam heads into the General Election on Nov. 5.
“It may also be indicative of a message from the constituency. Nonetheless, more needs to be done,” he added in a statement yesterday. He did not elaborate.
Although he did not name Cruz in his statement, Moylan said he looks forward to facing off with “the certified winner of the congressional primary election from the Democratic side of the ballot.”
He said voters are not just interested in what a candidate shall do moving forward if elected, but also equally interested in what the candidate has done
previously to help Guam.
“With the work which we have accomplished in such a short time in Congress, from securing over $3.2 billion in federal investments which is already
infusing our economy, to securing public safety resources, funding for infrastructure improvements including our roads, and all while addressing
long-standing issues, we are certainly excited to continue and building on our
messaging,” he said.
Both Cruz and Moylan expressed gratitude and humility at the trust of so many Guam voters, as well their thanks to all their volunteers and supporters.
“At the end of the day, I know all of us are united in our love for Guam and we want to make Washington, D.C. work better for us. That is why everyone has a place in our campaign. I encourage everyone to bring their ideas, their best hopes and aspirations, and together we will build a new vision for Guam and deliver on it every day,” Cruz said.
She also encouraged greater participation among voters this November.
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