Overview:
Updated ballot counts put incumbent Gov. Kennouske Suzuki ahead of Warren Fukuchi by seven votes in Angaur's gubernatorial race. The proposed constitutional amendment also failed to reach the required 75% approval, while Olkeriil Kazuo maintained his lead in the legislative race.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (Nov. 11, 2026) — Incumbent Gov. Kennouske Suzuki has taken the lead in Angaur’s gubernatorial race after absentee and walk-in ballots were tallied, receiving 99 votes against challenger Warren Fukuchi’s 92, according to the latest unofficial results of the Nov. 3 general election.
The updated count gives Suzuki a seven-vote lead, changing the outcome from an initial tie of 84 votes each. Both candidates are veteran politicians in the Angaur State Government.
Meanwhile, a proposed amendment to Article XIII, Section 2, of the Angaur State Constitution again failed to secure the required three-fourths approval, despite receiving 127 yes votes out of 200 total votes cast.
The amendment needed at least 150 yes votes, or 75% of the total ballots cast, to pass. With only 127 votes in favor, representing 63.5% of the total, the proposed constitutional change failed.
In the legislative race, the standings remained unchanged following the additional ballot count, with Olkeriil Kazuo maintaining his lead as the highest vote-getter among the 10 candidates.
Kazuo received 132 votes, followed by Gene Larson with 109 votes, Ethel Arurang with 99 votes, Helena Gulibert with 89 votes and Marvin Ngirutang with 86 votes.
Kazuo said he was thankful that the people of Angaur had a choice, wanted change and chose him.
He said his campaign was focused on helping improve the lives of Angaur residents through legislation.
Ngirutang, who remained in fifth place after the absentee and walk-in ballots were counted, said the election results reflected the community’s expectations for change.
“Like the US midterm elections result, our people demand affordable living and genuine care for their community. It’s not business as usual come January 2027,” Ngirutang said.