The deadline for candidates to file for governor, lieutenant governor, senator and congressional delegate has passed today. And Friday saw a historic day for Guam as for the first time ever, there's set to be a record six gubernatorial teams in the race for Adelup.

Guam Election Commission executive director Maria Pangelinan says her agency's files show this is a historic first for Guam, with possibly the biggest pool of candidates across all races. "Probably the biggest ever maybe, altogether, in terms of how many gubernatorial teams we have, and even the senators on both sides of the aisle were over 15," she shared.

"We’re looking forward to higher voter turnout. That’s our main objective."

Just hours before the May 1 deadline, businessmen Jeff Pleadwell and Charlie Hermosa rounded-out the highly-competitive lineup in the race for Adelup. The pair are running uncontested in the Independent bracket, but it will be an uphill battle getting on the general election ballot as independents have a higher vote threshold and voters can’t crossover.

Pleadwell told KUAM News, "I’m very sure that we’re going to make it. I think we have enough people on Guam right now that want a change, that want honesty, that wants a government that responds to them." And Hermosa added, "I think the law the way it is written is a roadblock is the way we look at it. But it’s very attainable. I think we’ve had a lot of great discussions from a lot of voters who have not voted in past elections who are willing to come out and vote for us."

Meanwhile, there's a three-way race for democrats. In the order filed are Senator Joe San Agustin and former senator Dwayne San Nicolas, Senators Therese Terlaje and Sabina Perez, and Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio and Senator Tina Muna Barnes. Under the republican ticket, Vice Speaker Tony Ada and businessman EJ Calvo will face-off against Speaker Frank Blas, Jr. and former Guam Community College president Dr. Mary Okada.

With six gubernatorial candidates currently sitting senators, that means at least six seats in the Guam Legislature are up for grabs for newcomers.

As of the 5pm cut-off, there are 36 candidates who filed for senator. 18 are democrats and 18 are republicans, signaling a close race for the new legislative majority. In the congressional delegate race, challenger Mary Camacho Torres will face off against incumbent James Moylan under the republican ticket. Under the democratic ticket, Alicia Limtiaco is running uncontested but must garner a minimum number of votes, typically 1,500, to advance to the general election.

In the meantime, the Guam Election Commission will continue to vet all candidate packets, which will then need board certification to determine who officially makes the ballot, marking the next step in what’s expected to be a closely watched election season.