Carlos Camacho
- This article discusses the former Governor of Guam. For the former Northern Mariana Islands governor, see Carlos S. Camacho. For the Colombian actor, see Carlos Camacho (actor).
| The Honorable Carlos G. Camacho | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1st Governor of Guam | |
| In office January 4, 1971 – January 6, 1975 | |
| Lieutenant | Kurt Moylan |
| Preceded by | Himself (civilian) |
| Succeeded by | Ricardo Bordallo |
| 7th Appointed Governor of Guam | |
| In office July 20, 1969 – January 4, 1971 | |
| Preceded by | Manuel Flores Leon Guerrero |
| Succeeded by | Himself (elected) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Carlos Garcia Camacho November 16, 1924 Agana (now Hagåtña), Guam |
| Died | December 6, 1979 (aged 55) Tamuning, Guam |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Lourdes Duenas Perez (1955–1979) (his death) |
| Children | 7 (including Felix Perez Camacho) |
| Alma mater | Aquinas College Marquette University |
Carlos Garcia Camacho (November 16, 1924 – December 6, 1979) was a Guamanian politician and member of the Republican Party. He served as the first elected (and last civilian) Governor of Guam from 1969 to 1975.[1][2]
Early life
Camacho was born in the village of Hagåtña, Guam to Felix Martinez Camacho (1893–1975) and Antonia Cruz Garcia. His siblings included Josephine Camacho Tanaka, John Camacho, Luis Camacho, and Eddie Camacho. From 1946 to 1949, he attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1952, he earned a D.D.S. degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Governor of Guam, 1969–75
At the age of 44, Camacho succeeded Governor Manuel Flores Leon Guerrero as the last Civilian Governor of Guam from July 20, 1969 to January 4, 1971. Camacho and Moylan's historic inauguration was held on January 4, 1971 at the Plaza de España in Agana. He uses the resources of the government to enhance economic opportunities by granting incentives through the Guam Economics Development and offering various forms of assistance to the private sector. During his entire five and a half years in office, Camacho presided over one of the largest eras of hotel construction activities on Guam, with construction finishing or starting on the Kakue Hotel, Reef Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Okura Hotel, Fujita Tumon Beach, Continental Travelodge, and Guam Dai Ichi Hotel.
Political career
Camacho first selected a senator G. Ricardo Salas as his running mate, but his announcement that former senator Salas takes over the running mate, as Kurt Moylan for lieutenant governor. Camacho was a candidate in Guam's first election for Governor with Kurt Moylan running for Lieutenant Governor. The two running mates are Republican primary, while the Democratic primary was closely between former governor Manuel F. L. Guerrero, senator Ricardo Bordallo and attorney and former speaker Joaquin C. Arriola. After they close the primary and a contentious runoff election which is Bordallo who is defeated by Guerrero, and the general election as Camacho/Moylan defeated by Bordallo/Taitano. In the 1974 gubernatorial election, he was defeated for reelection in a re-match senator Ricardo Bordallo won the election. An election challenge by the Bordallo/Sablan campaign went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Following his unsuccessful bid for reelection as Governor, Camacho resumed his career as a dentist.
Personal life
Camacho was married to the former first lady Lourdes Duenas Perez, and had seven children, Carlos, including former Governor of Guam, Felix Perez Camacho, Thomas, Ricardo, Francis, Victor, and his only daughter Mary Camacho Torres is married to Supreme Court of Guam Chief Justice Robert Torres. Originally appointed in 1969, he became Guam's first elected governor the following year and served in that capacity until August 1975.
Later years
Following his defeat, Camacho return to his career as a dentist, continuing in private practice until his death on December 6, 1979 four years later, when he turns 55th birthday.
References
- ↑ National Governors Association: Guam Governor Carlos G. Camacho biography
- ↑ Bordallo, Madeleine (2007-07-20). [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r110:E20JY7-0027: "Recognizing Antonio Manibusan Palomo = Speech of Hon. Madeleine Bordallo of Guam in the House of Representatives"]. Rep. Madeleine Bordallo (Library of Congress Congressional Record 110th Congress (2007-2008)). Retrieved 2013-02-19.
External links
- Carlos Garcia Camacho Bio at Guampedia
- Carlos G. Camacho entry at the National Governors Association
- Carlos Garcia Camacho entry at The Political Graveyard
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Manuel Flores Leon Guerrero |
Governor of Guam 1969–1975 |
Succeeded by Ricardo Bordallo |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by None |
Republican gubernatiorial election 1970 (won) 1974 (lost) |
Succeeded by Paul McDonald Calvo |
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