Frank Aguon

Frank Blas Aguon, Jr. (born June 21, 1966) is a Guamanian Democratic Party of Guam politician. He has served for seven terms as a Senator in the Legislature of Guam and sought re-election in the 2014 General Election. Senator Aguon won re-election by his 1st place with more votes in 2014 than his 2nd-place run in 2012.^[1] Aguon has also run as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Guam in the 2006 and 2010 gubernatorial elections. Aguon was the running mate of former Guam Governor Carl Gutierrez in the 2010 election.

Early life

He was born June 21, 1966 to the late Francisco Blas Aguon, Sr. (1936–2005) and Marcelina Leon Guerrero Aguon. He was raised on a farm in Guam. Aguon attended St. Francis School and graduated from Father Dueñas Memorial School in 1984, a Catholic high school in Mangilao. He received his bachelor's degree in 1988 from the University of Denver.^[2] He continued his education and obtained a M.B.A. also from the University of Denver in 1990.^[1][2]

Personal life

Aguon is married to Jennifer Uncangco Lujan, who played for the Women's Softball team won a gold medal for Guam at the 1998 Micronesian Games in Palau, Aguon has five children, Christopher, Jennevie, Jennifer, Brittany, and Frank III.^[1] He is member of St. Francis Roman Catholic Parish on Guam.^[2]

Political career

Aguon began working in government in 1988. He has served as the Director of the Guam Department of Commerce, a research analyst and the Chairman of the Guam Territorial Planning Council.^[1][2] Aguon enlisted in the Guam Air National Guard in 1999.^[1] He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.^[1]

Guam Legislature

Aguon was first elected as a Senator in the 24th Guam Legislature in 1997.^[2]

He has since served six two-years terms in the Legislature.^[1] In 2003 Aguon has served as Vice Speaker during one term in office.^[1] His committee assignments have included the Committee on Micronesian, Veterans, and Military Affairs as well as the Committee on Education.^[2]

Underwood-Aguon Campaign (2006)

Aguon was the running mate of Guam gubernatorial candidate Robert Underwood in 2006. In September the Underwood-Aguon ticket won in the primary election after they defeated by former governor Carl Gutierrez and senator BJ Cruz after that Guiterrez is now endorsed to former congressman Underwood. However, the Underwood-Aguon ticket was defeated in the general election by incumbent Republican Governor Felix Camacho and Lieutenant Governor Michael W. Cruz.^[3]

Gutierrez-Aguon Campaign (2010)

In 2010, former Guam Governor Carl Gutierrez chose Aguon as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor in the 2010 gubernatorial election.^[4] Gutierrez and Aguon ran unopposed in the primary, marking the first uncontested Democratic primary election for Governor in forty years.^[5] Gutierrez and Aguon received 8,140 votes in the primary election.^[6]

Gutierrez and Aguon would lose the 2010 general election to Eddie Calvo and Ray Tenorio by 487 votes. Aguon along with Gutierrez would file a lawsuit challenging the recount. In February 2012 Aguon requested to drop the suit.^[7]

Return to Guam Legislature

In 2012, Aguon ran again for island-wide office as Senator in the Guam Legislature. He also worked with campaign treasurer J. Arthur "Art" Chan, Jr. who is a working engineering from Hawaiian Rock Products. A returning newcomer to politics, Aguon received more votes than three incumbent Senators, finishing number two, in the Democratic Party Primary with 7,572 votes. Frank Aguon, Jr. campaign gained more momentum between the primary and the general elections, where he placed number two island-wide with 19,518 votes, only one former senator received more votes.

32nd Guam Legislature

Senator Aguon was return to his office and sworn in as a Senator on January 7, 2013, with his wife, Jennifer and his kids in attendance. As Chairman of the Guam US Military Relocation, Homeland Security, Veteran’s Affairs and Judiciary.

On January 25, 2013 Senator Aguon introduced Bill No. 24-32 (COR) of the Guam Code Annotated relative to waiver of fees for immediate kin of fallen heroes.

In December 2014 Senator Aguon introduced at bill to amend Section 1 of Public Law 32-208; relative to removing "Senators of I Liheslaturan Guahan" from the Competitive Wage Act of 2014.

In December Senators Aguon and Rodriguez introduced Bill No. 412-32 (COR) Guam Code Annotated, relative to requiring abortion providers to include gestational age in abortion reports.

2014 Election

On June 25, 2014, Aguon filed for candidacy with the Guam Election Commission for a next term as a Democratic Senator for 33rd Guam Legislature. Aguon's campaign treasurer is now Epifanio Winston M. Ilicito replacing J. Arthur Chan, Jr. for his working engineer.

In his bid for re-election, Senator Aguon was first place, with 6,556 votes or 79.3% of the Democratic primary vote. Senator Aguon won re-election with 1st place with more votes in 2014 than his 2nd-place run in 2012.

33rd Guam Legislature

After placing number 1 in the island-wide election, Aguon was chosen by his colleagues in the 33rd Guam Legislature to lead the Committee on Guam US Military Relocation, Homeland Security, Veteran’s Affairs and Judiciary.

Working as Senator

On January 21, 2015 Senator Aguon introduced Bill No. 27-33 (COR) an act relative to recognizing that public employees with superior ratings in Fiscal Year 2002 were not compensated for meritorious performance in accordance with the provisions contained in §6203, Title 4, Guam Code Annotated; authorizing the application of the Merit Bonus Program for Fiscal Year 2002; and providing for such payments.

On January 22, 2015 Senator Aguon introduced Bill No. 28-33 (COR) a relative to removing the time restriction for the Guam Police Department Headquarters, Administrative and other Agency Sections from occupying Government-owned facilities at Tiyan, Guam; through amending Section 2 of Public Law No. 26-100.

In February Senator Aguon introduced Bill No. 44-33 (COR) to properly classify law enforcement personnel of the government of Guam by renaming "Attendance Officers" as "Truancy Officers" to reflect practice throughout the United States and classify such officers as law enforcement under the provisions of Public Law 29-105; and to provide uniforms and equipment to truancy officers.

On March 4 Senator Aguon introduced Bill No. 229.33 (COR) relative to the temporary employment of retired conservation officers and limited-term conservation officers recruits within the Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources of the Department of Agriculture should a critical need arise due to military activation or long-term disability.

In June Senators Aguon and Tom Ada introduced Bill No. 333-33 (COR) of Guam Code Annotated, and to require quarterly reports be transmitted to I Maga’lahen Guåhan and the Speaker of I Liheslaturan Guåhan of the same, relative to the voluntary placement of a distinguishing mark for Guam Veterans on the Guam driver's licences and the Guam identification card.

2016 Election

On June 13, 2016, Aguon filed for candidacy with the Guam Election Commission for a next term as a Democratic senator in the Guam Legislature.

See also

• Guam Legislature
• Democratic Party of Guam

References