Terlaje-Perez and Ada-Calvo head to Guam’s general election after competitive August primary

On January 5, 2026, candidate packets were released for the 2026 Guam Primary Election. It was the first year that Guam had six gubernatorial teams running. Additionally, 18 Democrats and 18 Republicans campaigned for one of the 15 seats in the 39th Legislature. Six sitting senators participated in the gubernatorial race. These gubernatorial teams consisted of Frank Blas Jr. (R), Tony Ada (R), Joshua Tenorio (D), Dwayne San Nicolas (D), Therese Terlaje (D), and Jeffrey Pleadwell (Independent).

Now, the Guam Primary results have come out.

In the Democratic Party, Senator Terlaje (D) and running mate Senator Sabina Perez (D) narrowly defeated Lieutenant Governor Tenorio (D) and Senator Tina Muña Barnes (D).

According to the Guam Election Commission’s Unofficial tally, Terlaje (D) and Perez (D) won 47.79% of the vote. This is the same as winning 6387 ballots. In contrast, Tenorio (D) and Barnes (D) received 44.35% of the vote or 5927 ballots. Senator Dwayne San Nicolas finished in third place, with 7.79% of the vote.

It was a very close race, leading to a phone call from the trailing ticket to Terlaje’s campaign headquarters. 

“They were really very graceful, and they just said the numbers have come in and that we have won the primary. So they were just congratulating us,” Terlaje (D) said to The Guam Daily Post. 

After relaying this news to supporters gathered at her headquarters, she thanked her campaign manager, family, Perez, and a direct, unpolished, and genuine approach to voters. 

“Well, hard work first of all, and kind of unorthodox sometimes, but we just did it the way we felt we could and that we could be sincere,” Terlaje (D) said.

In the race for Guam’s delegate to the U.S. Congress, Democrat Alicia Limtiaco ran unopposed, automatically advancing to the General Election

In the Republican Party, Tony Ada (R) and EJ Calvo (R) defeated Frank Blas Jr. (R) and Dr. Mary Okada (R). The Ada-Calvo team obtained 60.6% of the Republican vote or 5138 votes. Frank Blas Jr. and Mary Okada received 39.3% of the vote or 3333 votes.

After the votes came out, Blas and Okada called the Ada-Calvo team to congratulate them on their victory. Ada also thanked Blas, Okada, and their families for running a “good campaign.”

“We’re humbled, and we’re grateful for all the votes, the confidence, the support that the people have given us to move on into the General Election,” said Ada to the Pacific Daily News shortly after learning the results.

EJ Calvo said that he and Ada would continue working on their “Guam First” plan for the island and sharing the message.

“The plan is very flexible. We have to listen to our community and take in more good ideas so that we can evolve our plans going forward,” Calvo said. 

With the primaries over, the Ada-Calvo team hopes to win over support from those who did not back them in the primary election.

For the Republican nomination to be Guam’s delegate to the US Congress, incumbent Jim Moylan (R) defeated Mary Torres (R).

The Ada-Calvo team will face off against Terlaje and Perez in Guam’s General Election for the Guam governor and lieutenant governor positions.

Many people appear pleased with these two teams winning their respective primary elections.

“The two teams are just as viable, each bringing its own strengths, supporters, and strategic advantages to the table. Best of luck to them on the General Election,” wrote Facebook user Tun Jose.

“The general election race promises to be exciting. It makes no difference to me whether the Ada-Calvo tandem or the Terlaje-Perez tandem wins,” said another user, Julie Cena Adams, on Facebook.

To become Guam’s delegate, Alicia Limtiaco will go against incumbent Jim Moylan.

Guam’s Primary elections may have concluded. But one question remains.

What will be the results of Guam’s general election?