Guam Action PAC releases the results of its 2022 candidate survey

Action PAC Guam (political action committee) surveyed the political candidates of the Guam elections to assess their platforms. Out of 30 senatorial candidates, only 17 responded. Neither the Democratic nor Republican gubernatorial candidates participated. 

The survey aimed to get a better understanding of where each candidate stood on certain issues. According to the Guam Daily Post, Action PAC surveyed them on its five platform initiatives:

• Immediate rollback of the business privilege tax from 5% to 4% or less
• Advocate for government efficiency to protect and preserve its resources
• Improve transparency at all levels of government and promote open communication and collaboration between the public and private sectors
• Strengthen relations with the U.S. military to improve safety and security in the region and maximize economic opportunities for Guam
• Support for a part-time legislature

Seven Democrats and ten Republicans responded. 

The Democrats were: Roy Quinata, Dwayne San Nicolas, Fred Bordallo, Angela Santos, Kelly Marsh-Taitano, Joe San Agustin, and incumbent Jonathan Savares.

The Republicans were: MiChelle Hope Taitano, Vincent Borja, Telo Taitague, Chris Duenas, Jesse Lujan, Sandra Reyes Seau, Shirley Mabini Young, Maryann Silva Taijeron, Bistra Mendiola, and Joaquin Leon Guerrero.

For the first platform to roll back the business privilege tax (BPT) from 5% to 4% or less, the results were split. Quinata, Bordallo, and San Agustin chose “no” while the others said “yes.” 

Earlier this year, lawmakers passed legislation that increased the BPT threshold. This means that businesses with a gross annual income between $50,000 and $500,000 only need to pay a 3% tax instead of 5%. This applies to about 90% of small businesses that already were making $250,000 or less. 

All the candidates voted “yes” for the second, third, and fourth platforms. 

For the last issue about supporting part-time legislators, almost all of the Republican candidates voted “yes” while every Democratic candidate voted “no.” Taitague was the only Republican not to vote “yes.”