Carlos Camacho

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Carlos Garcia Camacho (November 16, 1924 – December 6, 1979) was a Guam politician and the first elected governor of Guam, serving from 1971 to 1975. He had previously been the last appointed governor (1969–1971) under President Richard Nixon. A Republican, he also served in the Guam Legislature (1965–1967).

Born in Hagåtña, he studied at Aquinas College and earned a DDS from Marquette University. He was appointed governor in 1969 with Kurt Moylan as his lieutenant governor. In December 1969, he visited Chamorro troops serving in Vietnam.

After Guam’s first gubernatorial election in 1970, Camacho and Moylan defeated the Democrats to win the governorship. They were inaugurated on January 4, 1971. Camacho’s term focused on economic development, offering incentives and supporting private business. Guam saw a construction boom in hotels and major road improvements, including work on Marine Drive. He also helped attract educated Chamorros back to Guam to strengthen leadership.

In 1974, Camacho ran for reelection but was defeated by Ricardo Bordallo after a Supreme Court challenge. He returned to dentistry after leaving office and died in 1979 at age 55. He is buried in Anigua.

Camacho was married to Lourdes Perez Camacho and had seven children, including Felix Perez Camacho, who later served as Guam’s governor, and Mary Camacho Torres, a Guam senator.