Personal life

Cruz was born on September 8, 1958, a son of Miguel de Gracia Cruz and Rosalinda Quinata.^[1] His father was Chamorro while his mother was Filipino.^[2]

He has three children from his first marriage: Shaunn, Mika’ele and Christine.^[1] Cruz is currently married to his second wife, Jennifer Rosario Cruz. The couple have two daughters, Taylor & Bella, as well as Rosario Cruz's son, Christian, from her previous relationship.^[1]

Cruz received a bachelor's degree in biology from Walla Walla College in Washington state.^[1][3] He obtained a Doctor of Medicine from Loma Linda University in California.^[1]

Military

Cruz is a colonel in the Guam Army National Guard.^[1] He is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm.^[1] Cruz volunteered as a commander in the Rapid Advanced Medical Team during the Iraq War, serving from 2003 to 2004.^[1] He was a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for his tour of duty in Iraq.^[1]

In March 2023, the governor of Guam appointed Cruz as adjutant general of Guam's National Guard.^[4]

Medical career

Cruz is a surgeon, and served as the medical director of the Guam Memorial Hospital.^[1] He is a member of the American Board of Surgery, and the American Society of Breast Surgeons, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.^[1]

Political career

Cruz was elected as a Republican Senator in the 28th Guamanian Legislature from 2005 to 2006.^[1] He served on the legislature's Health and Human Services Committee, authoring legislation to combat childhood obesity in Guam.^[1]

He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Guam in November 2006 as the running mate of Governor Felix Perez Camacho. Cruz took office on January 1, 2007.

Cruz-Espaldon Campaign

Cruz declared his candidacy for the 2010 gubernatorial election and was a candidate in the September 2010 Republican primary. His running mate for lieutenant governor was Senator Jim Espaldon.^[1][3] Cruz was defeated by Eddie Baza Calvo in the Republican primary election on September 3, 2010.