1. Overview
Madeleine Mary Zeien Bordallo is an American-Guamanian politician who made significant contributions to the political landscape of Guam. She served as the first female delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives for Guam, holding the position from 2003 to 2019. Prior to her time in Congress, Bordallo broke multiple barriers in Guam's local government, serving as the first female Lieutenant Governor of Guam from 1995 to 2003 and the first female Democrat elected to the Legislature of Guam. Her political career also included being the first female candidate for Governor of Guam in 1990, and as the wife of former Governor Ricardo Bordallo, she served as First Lady of Guam for two non-consecutive terms. Throughout her extensive public service, Bordallo consistently advocated for social justice, cultural preservation, economic development, and securing reparations for Guam residents affected by historical events, reflecting a commitment to social liberal values and the welfare of her community.
2. Biography
Madeleine Bordallo's life and career are marked by her deep connections to Guam and her pioneering roles in its political representation.
2.1. Early Life and Education
Madeleine Mary Zeien was born on May 31, 1933, in Graceville, Minnesota, United States. Her family had a background in education, and they later relocated to Guam when her father accepted a position with the Guam Department of Education. She pursued her higher education at Saint Mary's College (Indiana) in Notre Dame, Indiana, and later at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she focused her studies on music.
2.2. Early Career
In the 1950s and 1960s, Bordallo embarked on her professional journey in television. She became a television presenter for KUAM-TV, an NBC affiliate and the very first television station established on Guam. Her early career in media provided her with a public platform and visibility before her entry into politics.
2.3. Personal Life and Family
In 1953, Madeleine Zeien married Ricardo Bordallo, who would later become a prominent political figure, serving as the Governor of Guam from 1975 to 1979 and again from 1983 to 1987. During her husband's terms as governor, Madeleine served as the First Lady of Guam. In this role, she dedicated her efforts to promoting the arts within classrooms and raising awareness of the local Chamorro culture, a significant aspect of Guam's identity. She had one child. In 1990, a tragic event occurred when her husband, the former governor, committed suicide on the eve of his incarceration after his appeals were unsuccessful following convictions for witness tampering and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
3. Major Activities and Achievements
Madeleine Bordallo's political career spanned several decades, during which she consistently broke new ground for women in Guam's politics and championed issues vital to the island's welfare.
3.1. Guam Legislature
Bordallo began her political career by entering the Legislature of Guam. She made history as the first female Democrat to be elected to this body. She served a total of five terms as a senator, with her initial tenure from 1981 to 1983, followed by a longer period from 1987 to 1995. During the 1988 U.S. presidential election, she was also a member of Guam's uncommitted delegation to the 1988 Democratic National Convention, demonstrating her engagement with national political processes.
3.2. Lieutenant Governor of Guam
In 1994, Bordallo ran on the Democratic ticket alongside Carl Gutierrez as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor. Their campaign was successful, and she was elected, becoming the first woman in Guam's history to hold the position of Lieutenant Governor. She served in this capacity from 1995 until 2003. As Lieutenant Governor, she actively worked on initiatives aimed at promoting tourism, fostering environmentalism, and leading island beautification efforts across Guam.
3.3. U.S. House of Representatives
In 2002, with Delegate Robert A. Underwood vacating his seat to run for governor, Madeleine Bordallo successfully campaigned for election as a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives. She took office in January 2003 and served continuously until January 2019, making her the first woman to represent Guam in the U.S. Congress. As one of the six non-voting delegates to the House of Representatives, she served a total of eight consecutive terms, becoming the longest-serving delegate for Guam as of 2021.
3.3.1. Legislative Activities and Advocacy
During her tenure in Congress, Bordallo focused her legislative efforts and advocacy on critical issues affecting Guam. She dedicated herself to economic development, working to pass legislation that provided assistance to small businesses on the island. Her work also extended to military affairs and environmental protection, reflecting a broad engagement with the unique challenges and opportunities facing Guam. A central focus of her advocacy was securing war reparations for Guam residents, particularly those who were victims of the Japanese occupation during World War II. She strongly championed provisions to create a fund in the U.S. treasury to compensate living Guam residents who endured rape, injury, forced labor, marches, or internment during the occupation and subsequent liberation. She also sought compensation for survivors of residents who died in the war. When these provisions were removed from the Omnibus Territories Act of 2013 in the United States Senate to allow the bill to pass by unanimous consent, Bordallo expressed "extreme disappointment," reaffirming her commitment to continue the fight for war claims for the manamko (elderly people) of Guam, despite the obstacles raised by conservative Republicans.
3.3.2. Committee Assignments and Caucus Memberships
Throughout her service in the U.S. House of Representatives, particularly during the 115th Congress (2017-2019), Madeleine Bordallo held several key committee assignments and was an active member of various congressional caucuses.
She was assigned to the following committees:
- Committee on Armed Services
- Subcommittee on Readiness (where she served as Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
- Committee on Natural Resources
- Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and Alaska Native Affairs
- Subcommittee on Water, Power, and Oceans
Bordallo was also a member of numerous congressional caucuses, illustrating her engagement with specific policy areas and her commitment to fostering relationships and addressing diverse issues:
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (serving as Vice Chair)
- Congressional China Caucus (serving as Co-Chair)
- United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus
- Long Range Strike Caucus
- United States-Philippines Friendship Caucus
- Wounded to Work Caucus
- U.S.-Japan Caucus
- House Baltic Caucus
- Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus
4. Ideology and Political Stance
Madeleine Bordallo's political ideology is rooted in social liberal values, prioritizing social equity, cultural preservation, and the economic well-being and self-determination of Guam. Her legislative focus on securing war reparations for Guamanian residents highlights her commitment to historical justice and community welfare. She consistently advocated for economic development initiatives to support local businesses, reflecting a belief in empowering the island's economy. Her engagement in environmental protection and island beautification projects also underscores a stance on sustainable development and responsible stewardship of natural resources. As a Democrat, her work on military affairs was often balanced with concerns for the local impact of military presence on Guam, emphasizing the needs of the island's inhabitants. Her efforts to preserve Chamorro culture, both as First Lady and in her subsequent political roles, demonstrate a strong dedication to cultural identity and heritage.
5. Election History
Madeleine Bordallo's career involved several significant electoral campaigns for various offices.
In 1990, following the death of her husband, she made an unsuccessful bid for Governor of Guam, with Ping Duenas as her running mate for lieutenant governor. She was the first non-Chamorro gubernatorial candidate in Guam's history.
In 1994, she successfully ran for Lieutenant Governor alongside Carl Gutierrez, serving from 1995 to 2003.
In 2002, she was elected as Guam's delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, taking the seat vacated by Robert A. Underwood. She served eight consecutive terms, from January 2003 to January 2019.
Her re-election campaigns included:
- 2012:** She faced Republican Guam Senator Frank Blas Jr. in the November general election, winning with 19,765 votes (58%) to Blas's 12,995 votes (38%). Earlier in the primary election, she defeated Democratic challenger Karlo Dizon, a Yale graduate and former White House intern, securing 73% of the vote.
- 2014:** She ran for delegate in the Democratic primary election against Matthew Pascual Artero, defeating him on August 30, 2014. She subsequently faced Republican candidate Margaret McDonald Metcalfe in the November general election.
- 2016:** She was re-elected by her smallest margin since first being elected, winning with 53% of the vote against former Governor of Guam Felix Perez Camacho, who received 47%.
- 2018:** In August, Bordallo lost her bid for renomination for another term as delegate in the Democratic primary. She was defeated by territorial senator Michael San Nicolas by a margin of 3.4%, leading to her departure from Congress in January 2019.
6. Controversies
During her political career, Madeleine Bordallo faced a notable controversy concerning the accuracy of her academic credentials. In April 2008, an investigative report published by the Pacific Daily News revealed that she and Senator Jesse Lujan had claimed to possess college degrees on their official biographies and resumes, despite neither having actually graduated from college. Specifically, Bordallo had previously stated that she had obtained an associate's degree from the College of St. Catherine, which was found to be inaccurate. Following the public revelation, Madeleine Bordallo acknowledged the discrepancy, apologized for the misrepresentation, and promptly corrected her official profiles to reflect the accurate information.
7. Assessment and Impact
Madeleine Bordallo's long and distinguished political career left an indelible mark on Guam, characterized by her groundbreaking achievements and dedicated public service.
7.1. Positive Assessment and Contributions
Bordallo's legacy is defined by her pioneering roles and her consistent advocacy for the people of Guam. She is widely recognized for breaking significant gender barriers in Guam's political arena, being the first woman to serve as a senator in the Guam Legislature, the first female Lieutenant Governor of Guam, and the first female Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. These achievements paved the way for future generations of women in public service. Her tenure as First Lady was marked by efforts to promote local Chamorro culture and arts in education, highlighting her commitment to cultural preservation. In her various capacities, she championed causes such as tourism promotion, environmental protection, and island beautification, contributing directly to Guam's development. Her tireless legislative efforts in the U.S. Congress, particularly her strong commitment to securing war reparations for World War II victims in Guam, underscored her dedication to social justice and the welfare of her constituents, earning her appreciation for her advocacy on behalf of the manamko.
7.2. Critical Views
While generally viewed positively, Madeleine Bordallo's career was not without scrutiny. The most notable critical perspective arose from the controversy in 2008 regarding her academic credentials. The revelation that her official biographies incorrectly stated she held a college degree led to public apologies and corrections, drawing criticism concerning the accuracy and transparency of her official records. This incident, while addressed, prompted questions about the integrity of information presented by public officials. Additionally, her husband's conviction for corruption and subsequent suicide, although a personal tragedy, occurred during her political life and was a significant, challenging event linked to her family.