Candidate for Senator
Raffaele M.J. Sgambelluri
Ballot name / slogan: “Ralphy Chief Ding”
Just updatedUpdated by the candidate July 2026
Candidate summary
Service Before Self, Always.
Served in the Guam Customs Agency for over 30 years, including as the Chief of Customs, and is someone passionate about addressing Guams growing and concerning drug epidemic. A former businessman, a community volunteer, a public servant, a father, and a son of Guam.
Why I'm running
“I am running because as someone who has spent decades combatting illegal drugs, you can't just sit and watch our island be torn apart with a growing drug problem. When I retired, a gram of meth cost $800. Today it has dropped to around $50, which indicates that we have a serious supply problem. When you take a oath to protect the island, that oath doesn't end upon retirement. I am also not the person who wants to complain about a problem, I am the type that wants to tackle it, and this is why I am running. The legislature needs someone who understands the problem of this epidemic from the ”
The biggest issue facing Guam
The drug epidemic is tearing apart the fabric of our community, our Hafa Adai spirit, families, our economy, and so much more. Yes we have a cost of living issue, which is critical and one which needs to be addressed, but the drug epidemic is a foundation which needs to tackled.
To the voters
If you are seeking someone who brings experience, hard work, action, and a proven track record on getting the job done, I am humbly ask for your vote for Senator. I spent years protecting Guam, and will continue to do my part to ensure we get Guam back to the greater paradise we were years ago. We need elected officials who work well with each other while prioritizing respect, and this is the path I intend on taking if given the opportunity to serve, because this is what it will take to get the job done.
The first 100 days
I will get to work immediately. We will call for a meeting with the new governor, all the law enforcement agencies and key stake holders to develop a public safety masterplan, and identify the areas we need to legislate. We will review the finances and grant opportunities to seek funding to enhance care giving services and programs for our manamko and children/adults with autism, as these are issues being pushed aside. The costs families have to endure with addressing this issue in a respectable manner is astronomical, and we need more government focus and support, and this will be part of
Top priorities
- Cost of Living
- Economy
- Healthcare
- Public Hospital
- Education
- Housing
- Public Safety
- Infrastructure
- Utilities
- Energy
- Military Buildup
- Veterans
- Small Business
- Tourism
- Government Accountability
- Self-Determination
- Environment
- Youth
- Senior Citizens
- These are all key issues and it would be disingenuous to say that I wouldnt focus on an issue presented. While I am entering this race to address issues such as public safety
- our economy
- and the cost of living
- we must be prepared for everything else as well.
Election snapshot
Links
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