Therese M. Terlaje

Therese M. Terlaje (born 1964) is a Guamanian politician and attorney. A member of the Democratic Party, Terlaje has served as a member of the Legislature of Guam since 2017, and as Speaker of the Guam Legislature in 2021.

An attorney by profession, Terlaje was first elected in 2016 to serve in the 34th Guam Legislature, where she was elected Vice Speaker of the Guam Legislature. She has been reelected in every election since, having served in the 35th (2019–2021), 36th (2021–2023), and 37th (2023–present) sessions of the legislature.

Early life and education
Terlaje was born in Yona, Guam, one of eleven children born to Eduardo Salas Terlaje (1934-2022 ) and Shirley Ann Coulter Terlaje (1938–2019). Her mother was a Nebraska-born educator who served as a member of the Territorial Board of Education in 1979. She met Eduardo Terlaje when he was a student in Creighton University in Nebraska.

Her father was an attorney and politician described as a "pioneering CHamoru lawyer who began practicing law locally in 1960", and went on to become a four-term senator and vice speaker in the Guam Legislature.

Terlaje attended the Academy of Our Lady of Guam, an all-girls Catholic school located in Hagåtña, Guam. Terlaje later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.

Legal career
After graduating from law school, Terlaje became an attorney, where she practiced in the fields of corporate law, juvenile law, family law, and real estate. She was also an assistant professor at the University of Guam in the fields of criminal justice and public administration.

Guam Legislature (2017–present)
Terlaje was elected to the Guam Legislature in 2016 and assumed office in 2017. In the Legislature, Terlaje is the chair of the Committee on Health, Tourism, Historic Preservation, Land and Justice. She previously served as the chair of the Committee on Culture and Justice. During the 34th legislative session, Terlaje served as vice speaker.

In 2018, Terlaje won reelection, receiving more votes than any other candidate. In an interview with Truthout after her election victory, Terlaje identified self-determination as a top issue, and indicated support for holding a plebiscite on Guam's political status, In 2020, during the 35th legislative session, Terlaje introduced Bill 335-35, which would have mandated rapid and transparent implementation of COVID-19 relief programs, which was vetoed by Governor Leon Guerrero.

Speaker of the Guam Legislature (2021–present)
After winning reelection in 2020, was chosen to serve as Speaker of the Guam Legislature in the 36th session, taking office on January 4, 2021. Reelected to the Guam Legislature the 2022 election, Terlaje was once again elected Speaker of the Guam Legislature for the 37th session on January 5, 2023.

Political future
In 2023, it was reported that Terlaje is a potential candidate for Governor of Guam in the 2026 election to succeed term-limited incumbent Lou Leon Guerrero. According to the Pacific Daily News, media reports have speculated that Terlaje may launch a campaign with Guam senator Chris Barnett as her lieutenant gubernatorial running mate. When asked about the possibility of a candidacy on The Ray Gibson Show, Barnett indicated that Terlaje would lead the ticket with him as her running mate, though did not confirm that the ticket was finalized.

Personal life
Terlaje has three daughters: Maria, Rita and Arisa Barcinas. One of her brothers, John Terlaje, was nominated to be the eighth judge of the Superior Court of Guam by Governor Leon Guerrero in October 2022.