![Image](http://web.archive.org./web/20210912130900im_/https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-92ZrD0Xktic/Wy3uDcp0_6I/AAAAAAAANtk/DwiXlqzzmXgWC552vsxYFq-YUWgpRCu7ACLcBGAs/s400/Solon_writing_laws_for_Athens.jpg)
I have spent the past few weeks meeting with people who are running for political office here in Guam this year. Some for senator, some for governor. This year promises to be an exciting one in terms of campaigns and candidates. With five teams running for governor (4 Democrats and 1 Republican). More than 80 packets for senatorial candidates have been picked up, with only 15 possible seats in the legislature. Mampos meggai na månnok manmalålagu gi kånton guma'! What is different this year however is not just the amount of candidates, but also the diversity in terms of their background. More and more, people are running for office who haven't been in formal government service before. They haven't worked in a political machine. They are outsiders, activists, educators, working class people, lawyers, professionals, veterans, journalists and more. The question remains however, and I will acknowledge from the very start of the conversation, that there is nothing intrinsic