The 2022 Guamanian gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Guam. Incumbent Democratic governor Lou Leon Guerrero, who was elected in 2018 with 50.7% of the vote, sought a second term. She faced former Republican governor Felix Camacho.
Guerrero defeated Camacho in the general election, winning a second term as governor. Guerrero was the first Democratic governor of Guam elected to a second term in office since Carl Gutierrez in 1998.
Background
In 2018, Lou Leon Guerrero became the first woman elected governor of Guam, as well as the first Democrat elected to the office in twenty years. During her tenure in office, Leon Guerrero led the territory's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Lou Leon Guerrero, incumbent governor
- Josh Tenorio, incumbent lieutenant governor
Eliminated in primary
- Michael San Nicolas, incumbent Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives
- Sabrina Salas Matanane, KUAM managing director for local productions
Campaign
Leon Guerrero was challenged in the Democratic primary by San Nicolas, who had represented Guam's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019. San Nicolas' campaign emphasized improving staffing at the Guam Behavioral and Wellness Center in order to better respond to drug addiction and mental health issues on the island. San Nicolas criticized Leon Guerrero's record on land return for Chamorro communities, and alleged insufficient transparency regarding the Simon Sanchez High School rehabilitation project.
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Felix Camacho, former governor (2003–2011)
- Vicente "Tony" Ada, state senator
Declined
- James "Jim" Moylan, former Guam Senate Minority Leader (running for delegate)
Results
General election
Campaign
During the general election, Democratic primary runners-up San Nicolas and his running mate, Salas Matanane, publicly urged Guamanians to vote against Leon Guerrero's reelection.
Republican nominee Camacho criticized the governor for allegedly "hoarding" around $300 million in federal relief funds in the Bank of Guam, of which Leon Guerrero had previously been CEO of. The Leon Guerrero campaign accused Camacho of avoiding opportunities to debate in public settings.
Results
References
