Government and Politics

Government and Politics of Guam

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Guam.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: NA
Administrative Divisions: none (territory of the US)
Legal System: modeled on US; US federal laws apply
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential elections
Citizenship: See United States
Executive Branch: chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP of the US (since 20 January 2025) and Vice President JD VANCE (since 20 January 2025) head of government: Governor Lourdes "Lou" Leon GUERRERO (since 7 January 2019) and Lieutenant Governor Josh TENORIO (since 7 January 2019) cabinet: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam Legislature elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, Guam residents who are US citizens may vote in presidential elections if they establish residency in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held in November 2026) election results: Lourdes "Lou" Leon GUERRERO reelected governor; percent of vote - Lourdes Leon GUERRERO (Democratic Party) 56.5%, Felix CAMACHO (Republican Party) 43.5%
Legislative Branch: Unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) Elections: last held in November 2022 (next to be held in November 2024) Election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 7, Republican Party 8 Note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held in November 2022 (next to be held in November 2024); results - James Moylan (Republican Party) was elected as delegate, defeating incumbent Michael San Nicolas; seats by party - Republican Party 1
Judicial Branch: Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor)
Political Parties: Democratic Party [leader Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party (controls the legislature) [leader Philip J. FLORES]
Head of Government: Governor Felix P. Camacho
Cabinet: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature
Elections: last held in November 2022 (next to be held in November 2024)
Election Results: Percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 7, Republican Party 8 Note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held in November 2024 (next to be held in November 2026); results - James Moylan (Republican Party) was elected to a second term as delegate, defeating Democratic challenger Roy Quinata; seats by party - Republican Party 1
Constitution: Organic Act of 1 August 1950
Independence: none (territory of the US)
National Holiday: Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)
International Organization Participation: Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: none (territory of the US)
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: none (territory of the US)

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Hagatna (Agana)
Location: 13 28 N, 144 44 E
Time Difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
History: The name is derived from the Chamoru word "haga," meaning "blood", and may refer to the bloodlines of the various families that established the original settlement

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag

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