Lou Leon Guerrero

Lou Leon Guerrero
Born	Lourdes Aflague Leon Guerrero (1950-11-08) November 8, 1950 Guam
Occupation(s)	Politician, nurse, bank executive, lobbyist
Years active	1995–present
Known for	Ninth Governor of Guam, first female governor of Guam

Lourdes Aflague "Lou" Leon Guerrero (born November 8, 1950) is an American political figure and former executive in banking, lobbyist, and nurse, currently serving as the ninth governor of Guam since 2019. Affiliated with the Democratic Party, she is the first female governor in Guam's history. Leon Guerrero held office in the Guam Legislature from 1995 to 1999 and again from 2001 to 2007. Between 2007 and 2017, she served as president and CEO of the Bank of Guam.

A native of Guam, Leon Guerrero completed a B.S. degree in Nursing at California State University, Los Angeles and later earned a MPH from University of California, Los Angeles. Her nursing career spanned both California and Guam, where she eventually led the Guam Nurses Association and actively opposed attempts to outlaw abortion. Leon Guerrero was first elected to the Guam legislature in 1994, serving two terms before an unsuccessful campaign for lieutenant governor in 1998. She returned to legislative service from 2001 through 2007 prior to moving into executive roles in the private sector until 2017.

She made a political comeback by running for governor in the 2018 election, winning alongside her running mate Josh Tenorio against Republican candidate Ray Tenorio. Her inauguration took place on January 7, 2019. During her tenure as governor, she has championed laws increasing Guam’s minimum wage and has overseen the territory’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic. She exercised veto power against legislative efforts aimed at imposing tighter abortion regulations. Leon Guerrero secured reelection for a second term during the 2022 election.

Early life and education

Lou Leon Guerrero was born in Guam to Jesus Sablan Leon Guerrero (1927–2002), who founded the Bank of Guam, and Eugenia Calvo Aflague Leon Guerrero. She has two siblings: Jesse and Anthony (1952–2005). Her early education took place at the Academy of Our Lady of Guam High School before relocating to Southern California for further studies and employment.

In 1973, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from California State University, Los Angeles, followed by a Master of Public Health degree from UCLA in 1979. Later, in 2009, she completed a master's program at Pacific Coast Banking School located in Seattle, Washington.

Nursing profession

Leon Guerrero began her nursing career as a staff nurse at Santa Monica Hospital in California before returning to Guam in 1980. She then joined Guam Memorial Hospital, where she progressed to the role of assistant nursing director. From 1990 to 1994, she held the position of Director of Operations at the Family Health Plan clinic.

In 1989, while serving as president of the Guam Nurses Association, she played a significant role by testifying against Bill 848, legislation intended to prohibit abortion on Guam.

Initial political involvement

Leon Guerrero served several terms as a senator in the Guam Legislature during the 23rd, 24th, and 26th through 28th sessions. She was the principal author of the public law that created the Healthy Futures Fund, which supports medical treatment and cancer research on Guam. Additionally, she introduced and helped pass the Natasha Protection Act, which regulates smoking in public spaces.

23rd Guam Legislature

In 1994, Leon Guerrero made her first bid for a senatorial seat. She ranked ninth in the Democratic primary with 10,611 votes and secured election by obtaining 20,168 votes in the general election. She was sworn in on January 2, 1995. During this initial term, she was part of the legislative majority and sponsored or co-sponsored eighteen public laws.

24th Guam Legislature

Leon Guerrero sought reelection to the 24th Guam Legislature in 1996. She advanced from the Democratic primary held on September 7, placing twelfth with 10,185 votes. In the November 5 general election, she won reelection by earning 20,050 votes and placing eighth overall. Serving as a minority member during this term, she sponsored or co-sponsored six public laws.

Lieutenant gubernatorial campaign in 1998

In 1998, incumbent Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez and Lieutenant Governor Madeleine Z. Bordallo faced two challenges within the Democratic primary. Leon Guerrero ran as the lieutenant governor candidate alongside Senator Thomas C. Ada. Meanwhile, Senator Angel L.G. Santos teamed up with Mayor Jose "Pedo" Terlaje. The "Tom and Lou" ticket finished second in the Democratic gubernatorial primary on September 5, receiving 9,788 votes.

26th Guam Legislature

Leon Guerrero re-entered public office in 2000 by running for a seat in the 26th Guam Legislature. Since the legislative primary was canceled that year, she automatically advanced to the general election on November 7, where she secured fifth place with 18,748 votes. As a minority member during this term, she sponsored five public laws.

27th Guam Legislature

In her 2002 campaign for the 27th Guam Legislature, Leon Guerrero placed third in the Democratic primary on September 7 with 14,112 votes and finished fifth in the general election on November 5 with a total of 23,651 votes. As part of the majority during this session, she sponsored twenty-one public laws.

28th Guam Legislature

Leon Guerrero ran for reelection to the 28th Guam Legislature in 2004. After ranking fourth in the Democratic primary with 7,983 votes, she proceeded to the general election where she placed fourteenth with 14,853 votes. Throughout this term, she authored twenty-seven bills, nine of which were enacted into law.

Business and Non-Profit Career

In 2007, Leon Guerrero earned the distinction of Guam's Small Business Administration Women in Business Champion. She completed her studies at the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington in 2009. Following in the footsteps of her father and brother, she assumed the roles of chairwoman of the board, CEO, and president of the Bank of Guam.

By August 2011, she was appointed as a director of BankGuam Holding Company and also held a directorship at Teleguam Holdings, LLC. Guam Business Magazine honored Leon Guerrero as Guam’s 2010 Executive of the Year.

Non-Profit Engagement

Since Guampedia's inception in 2009, Leon Guerrero has served as its Board Chair. Additionally, she was among the founding members and served as the inaugural President of the Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce.

2018 Gubernatorial Campaign

In February 2017, Leon Guerrero declared her candidacy for Governor of Guam. She chose Joshua Tenorio, Vice President of Guam Auto Spot, as her running mate for the Democratic primary election. The duo secured victory in the primary with 32% of votes and subsequently won the general election with 50.7%, making Leon Guerrero the first woman to hold Guam’s governorship.

2022 Gubernatorial Campaign

Seeking a second term, Leon Guerrero ran for reelection alongside Josh Tenorio. They were successful, obtaining 55.49% of the vote and defeating the Camacho/Ada ticket.

Governor of Guam (2019–Present)

Lou Leon Guerrero was sworn in as Guam’s ninth Governor on January 7, 2019.

Minimum Wage Adjustment

Leon Guerrero advocated for an increase in Guam’s minimum wage to $9.25 per hour, signing legislation in October 2019 to implement this raise incrementally. The initial hike to $8.75 took effect in March 2020. Due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, she later approved a six-month postponement of further increases; however, the minimum wage has since reached $9.25 per hour.

Measures Against Inflation

In response to rising inflation during 2022 that diminished residents’ purchasing power, Leon Guerrero introduced a monthly $100 credit for electricity customers aimed at alleviating cost burdens and promoting economic stability.

Advance Payments for World War II War Claims

In July 2019, Speaker Tina Rose Muña Barnes proposed legislation to accelerate war claims payments to survivors of World War II in Guam. By October 2019, Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio and Chief of Staff Tony Babauta advocated for these claims in Washington, D.C. Despite criticism from Congressman Michael San Nicolas who dismissed the local bill as ineffective, Leon Guerrero enacted it into law on January 3, 2020. The initial payments were distributed on January 29, 2020, with hundreds receiving compensation by February through this advance payment program.

Abortion Rights

In December 2022, Leon Guerrero exercised her veto power over legislation passed by the Legislature of Guam that sought to restrict abortion rights, a bill likened to the 2021 Texas Heartbeat Act. The legislature was unable to override her veto by a margin of two votes.

"Path to Half" Vaccination Initiative

On March 15, 2021, Governor Leon Guerrero initiated the "Path to Half" vaccination effort, aiming to immunize 50% of Guam's adult residents by May 1. This objective was successfully met three days ahead of schedule.

Personal life

Governor Guerrero is married to attorney Jeff Cook and together they have two children and seven grandchildren.

External links

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