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Therese M. Terlaje

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Therese Terlaje
Speaker of the Guam Legislature
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 4, 2021
Preceded byTina Rose Muña Barnes
In office
September 13, 2018 – January 7, 2019
Acting
Preceded byBenjamin Cruz
Succeeded byTina Rose Muña Barnes
Member of the Guam Legislature
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 2, 2017
Personal details
Born1964 (age 59–60)
Yona, Guam, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children3
EducationCreighton University (BS)
University of California, Los Angeles (JD)

Therese M. Terlaje (born 1964) is a Guamanian politician and attorney. A member of the Democratic Party, Terlaje has served as a member of the Legislature of Guam since 2017, and as Speaker of the Guam Legislature in 2021.[1]

An attorney by profession, Terlaje was first elected in 2016 to serve in the 34th Guam Legislature, where she was elected Vice Speaker of the Guam Legislature. She has been reelected in every election since, having served in the 35th (2019–2021), 36th (2021–2023), and 37th (2023–present) sessions of the legislature.

Early life and education

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Terlaje was born in Yona, Guam, one of eleven children born to Eduardo Salas Terlaje (1934-2022[2]) and Shirley Ann Coulter Terlaje (1938–2019). Her mother was a Nebraska-born educator who served as a member of the Territorial Board of Education in 1979.[3] She met Eduardo Terlaje when he was a student in Creighton University in Nebraska.[3]

Her father was an attorney and politician described as a "pioneering CHamoru lawyer who began practicing law locally in 1960", and went on to become a four-term senator and vice speaker in the Guam Legislature.[2]

Terlaje attended the Academy of Our Lady of Guam, an all-girls Catholic school located in Hagåtña, Guam.[4][5] Terlaje later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.[6]

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After graduating from law school, Terlaje became an attorney, where she practiced in the fields of corporate law, juvenile law, family law, and real estate. She was also an assistant professor at the University of Guam in the fields of criminal justice and public administration.[7]

Political career

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Guam Legislature (2017–present)

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Terlaje was elected to the Guam Legislature in 2016 and assumed office in 2017. In the Legislature, Terlaje is the chair of the Committee on Health, Tourism, Historic Preservation, Land and Justice. She previously served as the chair of the Committee on Culture and Justice. During the 34th legislative session, Terlaje served as vice speaker.[8][9]

In 2018, Terlaje won reelection, receiving more votes than any other candidate. In an interview with Truthout after her election victory, Terlaje identified self-determination as a top issue, and indicated support for holding a plebiscite on Guam's political status,[10] In 2020, during the 35th legislative session, Terlaje introduced Bill 335-35, which would have mandated rapid and transparent implementation of COVID-19 relief programs, which was vetoed by Governor Leon Guerrero.[11]

Speaker of the Guam Legislature (2021–present)

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After winning reelection in 2020, was chosen to serve as Speaker of the Guam Legislature in the 36th session, taking office on January 4, 2021.[12] Reelected to the Guam Legislature the 2022 election, Terlaje was once again elected Speaker of the Guam Legislature for the 37th session on January 5, 2023.[13]

Political future

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In 2023, it was reported that Terlaje is a potential candidate for Governor of Guam in the 2026 election to succeed term-limited incumbent Lou Leon Guerrero. According to the Pacific Daily News, media reports have speculated that Terlaje may launch a campaign with Guam senator Chris Barnett as her lieutenant gubernatorial running mate.[14] When asked about the possibility of a candidacy on The Ray Gibson Show, Barnett indicated that Terlaje would lead the ticket with him as her running mate, though did not confirm that the ticket was finalized.[15]

Personal life

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Terlaje has three daughters: Maria, Rita and Arisa Barcinas. One of her brothers, John Terlaje, was nominated to be the eighth judge of the Superior Court of Guam by Governor Leon Guerrero in October 2022.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Taitano, Joe (2023-01-05). "Therese Terlaje selected as speaker of 37th Guam Legislature". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  2. ^ a b Guerrero, Phill Leon (2022-08-12). "Former Vice Speaker Terlaje, father of current speaker, dies". The Guam Daily Post. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  3. ^ a b Stole Weiss, Jasmine (2019-02-27). "Shirley Terlaje, former education board member, mourned". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  4. ^ Stole Weiss, Jasmine (2019-02-27). "Shirley Terlaje, former education board member, mourned". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  5. ^ "About Senator Therese Terlaje". Senator Therese M. Terlaje. 2017-02-23. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  6. ^ "Candidate profile: Therese Terlaje (D)". Pacific Daily News. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  7. ^ "Candidate profile: Therese Terlaje (D)". The State Journal-Register. 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  8. ^ "Therese M. Terlaje, D., Guam Legislature". Pacific Daily News. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  9. ^ "Therese Terlaje". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  10. ^ Letman, Jon (2018-11-17). "Historic Wave of Women Candidates Sweep to Power on Guam". Truthout. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  11. ^ Kerrigan, Kevin (2020-04-30). "Sen. Terlaje asks Speaker to call session to override governor's veto". PNC News First. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  12. ^ Kaur, Anumita Kaur (2021-01-03). "Therese Terlaje to serve as speaker of the 36th Guam Legislature". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  13. ^ Taitano II, Joe Taitano (2023-01-05). "Therese Terlaje selected as speaker of 37th Guam Legislature". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  14. ^ Eugenio Gilbert, Haidee (2023-12-03). "Tenorio announces 2026 gubernatorial run". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  15. ^ "Terlaje-Barnett 2026?". KANDIT News Group. 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  16. ^ Tenorio Healy, Shane (2022-10-25). "John Terlaje named eighth trial judge". The Guam Daily Post. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
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Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the Guam Legislature
Acting
2018–2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Tina Rose Muña Barnes
 Speaker of the Guam Legislature
2021–present 		Succeeded by
TBD
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