ANOTHER VIEW OF OUTCOME OF THE DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY ELECTION

By Tim Rohr

Yesterday, I posted a short reflection on the outcome of the Democratic gubernatorial election in Guam. 

My position was that the Terlaje-Perez team won because Guam voters tend to favor women, particularly educated women, and more particularly if they physically present well, as Terlaje does. I further posited that this view aligns with the often-jokingly held opinion that Guam elections are glorified beauty contests. 

However, there may be another reason for Terlaje's win and Tenorio's loss, but this reason would have to assume that the majority of Guam voters have matured past the pari and clan systems as well as the beauty contest. And that reason would be that the outcome of the aforesaid primary was a referendum on the administration to which Josh Tenorio attached himself for the last eight years.

Whether or not the current governor’s policies are the reason for the very real and very visible collapse of this island, most evident via a drive through what was once the tourist district, the fact is that said collapse happened on her watch, and Tenorio was right there watching.

During Covid, the governor who fiddled while Guam burned famously told us: “Basically, YOU have NO say!” 

At a March 15, 2020 forum hosted by the Guam Medical Association, the Red Queen (Bob Klitzkie's name for her) tyrannically demanded fealty from her subjects:

“The governor has the authority for everything. I can say: ‘You are now under government authority and this is what I want you to do. I have the authority to take money. I have the authority to take property. I have the authority to move personnel. Basically, you have no say.”

She was right. We had no say.

Until now.