The Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association hosted a Primary Candidates Forum on Tuesday, May 28 at the Hyatt Regency Guam.
Congressional candidates discussed key issues, including federal resource leverage for local businesses and crime reduction strategies.
Former Congressman Michael San Nicolas emphasized the need to reduce the cost of living and address the Jones Act. On crime, San Nicolas said, “we need to have a multilevel approach that's going to involve more federal personnel and an approach that's going to involve our local government to be able to address these concerns as they begin to intensify.”
Senator Amanda Shelton highlighted the Pentagon's Research and Development funds for innovative projects, citing a contract in Rhode Island to test sea gliders. "Imagine if that was here on Guam," she said. Addressing crime, Shelton said, “the Department of Justice has told us that crystal methamphetamine is coming to our borders through Japan, through Korea, through China most especially. And we need to protect our borders first and foremost. And we can also do that by getting a special designation as a high-intensity drug trafficking area for the island of Guam.”
Ginger Cruz, former deputy inspector general for the reconstruction of Iraq called for Guam's inclusion on the Foreign Affairs Committee to boost economic growth. On crime, Cruz said, “we need to ensure that in the next five years we have a 100% check on everything that comes in through air or through sea so that we can find and interdict and stop the drugs from coming to our shores.” Cruz linked the rise in crime driven by crystal methamphetamine to Guam's geopolitical issues.
All candidates agreed on the need to raise federal per diem rates to support Guam's tourism industry.
During the lightning round, candidates answered yes or no to various questions:
- All three supported raising the federal minimum wage.
- All agreed women should have full and free access to contraceptive care.
- On policies protecting women's reproductive health rights, including legal abortion, Cruz said yes, while Shelton and San Nicolas said no.
- All endorsed common sense gun control measures.
- All pledged to advocate for keeping Medicare affordable for seniors and those with disabilities.
Senatorial candidates also shared perspectives on the rising cost of living and business challenges in Guam:
- Senator Roy Quinata emphasized creating affordable housing for middle-income families.
- Senator Sabina Perez suggested addressing the Jones Act and subsidizing housing and businesses.
- Senator Will Parkinson focused on modernizing utilities and extending power credits.
- Senator Tom Fisher highlighted the need to retain talent on the island through job creation and capital improvements like building a hospital in Mangilao and Simon Sanchez High School.
- Candidate Dave Duenas advocated for reducing the 5% Business Privilege Tax to boost wages and spending.
- Candidate Shawn Gumataotao supported rolling back the Gross Receipts Tax for business reinvestment.
- Vice Speaker Tina Muna-Barnes noted that the legislature has supported lowering the BPT. She said businesses making $500,000 or less have a reduced BPT of 3% rather than 5%. Muna-Barnes also proposed creating new industries and jobs to retain residents.
In the senatorial lightning round, candidates answered yes or no to these questions:
- All supported additional funding for GVB for a collaborative incentive program.
- On protecting women's reproductive health rights, all except Duenas said yes.
- All agreed a new public hospital is necessary.
- All confirmed advocacy for resources for local parks, public schools, and beaches.
- All supported CHamoru self-determination on political status.
- On chemical castration as a solution to sexual violence, Duenas said yes, while the others disagreed.
- On increasing salaries for Guam legislature members, Quinata, Parkinson, Fisher, and Muna-Barnes said yes, while Perez, Duenas, and Gumataotao said no.
- On advocating for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, all except Gumataotao said yes.
According to the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce website, the chamber is committed to promoting community awareness, voter education, and active participation in the democratic process. The chamber’s goal is to empower individuals to make informed decisions and exercise their right to vote. Click here to see more photos from the event. mbj