Carlos Camacho facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carlos Camacho
1st Governor of Guam
In office January 4, 1971 – January 6, 1975
Lieutenant	Kurt Moylan
Preceded by	Position established Himself (as Appointed Governor of Guam)
Succeeded by	Ricardo Bordallo
7th Appointed Governor of Guam
In office July 20, 1969 – January 4, 1971
Appointed by	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	Manuel Flores Leon Guerrero
Succeeded by	Position abolished Himself (as Governor of Guam)
Senator of the Guam Legislature
In office January 4, 1965 – January 2, 1967
Personal details
Born	Carlos Garcia Camacho (1924-11-16)November 16, 1924 Agana, Guam
Died	December 6, 1979(1979-12-06) (aged 55) Tamuning, Guam
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Lourdes Perez Camacho (m. 1955)
Children	7, including Felix and Mary
Education	Aquinas College, Michigan (BS) Marquette University (DDS)

Carlos Garcia Camacho (born November 16, 1924 – died December 6, 1979) was an important American politician and a dentist. He was a member of the Republican Party. Camacho served as a Senator in the Guam Legislature. He was the last appointed Governor of Guam from 1969 to 1971. Later, he became the first elected Governor of Guam, serving from 1971 to 1975.

Early Life and Education

Carlos Garcia Camacho was born in Hagåtña, Guam. His parents were Felix Martinez Camacho and Antonia Cruz Garcia. He had four siblings: Maria, Juan, Luis, and Eddie.

Carlos Camacho went to Aquinas College in Michigan from 1946 to 1949. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree there. In 1952, he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from Marquette University in Wisconsin. After finishing his studies, he became a dentist.

Becoming Governor of Guam

Carlos Camacho became Governor of Guam at 44 years old. He took office on July 20, 1969. Kurt Moylan was appointed as his lieutenant governor.

Camacho was the last governor to be appointed by the U.S. President. His term as appointed governor lasted only 18 months. This was because the U.S. Congress passed the Elective Governor Act in 1968. This law allowed the people of Guam to choose their own governor. The first election for governor happened in 1970.

One notable moment during his appointed term was his Christmas 1969 visit. He visited troops from Guam who were fighting in Vietnam.

First Election for Governor

Carlos Camacho ran in Guam's first election for governor. He first chose Senator G. Ricardo Salas as his running mate. However, Salas was later replaced by Kurt Moylan.

Camacho and Moylan won the Republican primary election. The general election was against Ricardo Bordallo and Richard F. Taitano. Bordallo had won a close Democratic primary.

Camacho and Moylan won the historic election. Their inauguration was held on January 4, 1971. It took place at the Plaza de España in Agana.

Key Achievements as Governor

As governor, Carlos Camacho worked to improve Guam's economy. He used government resources to create more business chances. He offered help and incentives to private businesses.

During his five and a half years in office, many hotels were built on Guam. Construction finished or started on hotels like the Kakue Hotel, Reef Hotel, and Hilton Hotel.

Camacho also started big road projects. These included widening Marine Drive (now Marine Corps Drive). Other major highways in villages like Agat and Dededo were also rebuilt.

He encouraged many educated Chamorros to return to Guam. This helped to bring skilled people back to the island. Many of them took jobs in the government. Some later became senators. Camacho also kept good administrators in their jobs, even if they were from a different political party. This helped keep the government stable.

Camacho and Moylan worked together to boost the economy. They wanted to attract new businesses and encourage local people to start businesses. At that time, the U.S. federal government still controlled many of Guam's services. Camacho and Moylan worked to gain more self-government for Guam.

Reelection Campaign

In the 1974 gubernatorial election, Camacho ran for reelection. He faced Ricardo Bordallo again. Bordallo won the election this time.

After his term ended, Camacho went back to being a dentist.

Family Life

Carlos Camacho was married to Lourdes Perez Camacho. They had seven children together.

His son, Felix Perez Camacho, also became Governor of Guam. He served from 2003 to 2011. His only daughter, Mary Camacho Torres, became a senator in the Guam Legislature. His other children are Carlos, Thomas, Ricardo, Francis, and Victor.

Later Years

After leaving office, Carlos Camacho continued his work as a dentist. He had a private practice. He passed away on December 6, 1979, at the age of 55. He is buried at the Pigo Cemetery in Anigua.

Electoral History