Political science students create opportunity for public to learn about 2020 election candidates
Political science students create opportunity for public to learn about 2020 election candidates
Political science students create opportunity for public to learn about 2020 election candidates
11/4/2020
Hosting interviews and forums from August through October, the University of Guam Political Science Student Association provided the UOG community and Guam voters with a first-hand perspective on the three Congressional and 29 senatorial candidates in the 2020 General Election. A total of 450 individuals tuned into the livestreamed events on the PSSA Facebook page, which have since been viewed by an additional 3,400 people.
Titled “Meet the Candidates,” the forums asked the candidates to address issues and
share creative solutions related to reduced appropriations to UOG, financial burdens
on students, job/career opportunities, the university’s role in the community, as
well as general issues affecting the island.
This marks the sixth election year that the student organization has conducted a public forum of the candidates.
Poll results among attendees
During the three-part senatorial forum, the students conducted polls of those in attendance. Of the attendees, 72% indicated they are registered to vote in Guam, and 56% took advantage of early voting.
The audience also filled out a post-attendance mock election ballot with a list of candidates who participated in each night’s forum.
Clynt Ridgell (D) (I) - 64%
Therese Terlaje (D) (I) - 57%
Sabina Perez (D) (I) - 52% Joanne Brown (R) - 41%
Amanda Shelton (D) (I) - 41%
Chris Carillo (D) - 34%
Mary Torres (R) (I) - 30%
Joaquin "Ken" Leon Guerrero (R) - 29%
John Ananich (D) - 28%
Frank Leon Guerrero (D) - 19%
Jose "Pedo" Terlaje (D) (I) - 19%
Joe San Agustin (D) (I) - 17%
Kelly Marsh (Taitano) (D) (I) - 14%
Telo Taitague (R) (I) - 14%
Joseph Cruz (R) - 13%
Don Edquilane (R) - 12%
Chris Dueñas (R) - 8%
Vicente "Tony" Ada (R) - 5%
Tina Muña Barnes (D) (I) - 5%
Fred Bordallo (D) - 5%
James Moylan (R) (I) - 5%
Frank Blas Jr. (R) - 3%
Dominic Hernandez (R) - 0%
*D = Democrat, R = Republican, I = Incumbent
Over the three nights of the senatorial forum, attendees also took a poll for the Congressional delegate. The results, averaged over the three nights, were as follows:
Robert Underwood (D) – 54%
Michael San Nicolas (D) (I) – 23%
Wil Castro (R) – 17%
Do not intend to vote for delegate – 6
In its 10th year as a student organization at the University of Guam, PSSA encourages students to explore the field of politics outside the classroom and acts as an outlet for students to expand their knowledge and skills, extend their networking boundaries, and increase their active involvement in public events. For more information, email pssa@triton.uog.edu.