On August 8, 2024, 58 delegates went to the house of House Speaker Martin Romualdez to ask for the support of Governor Ben Evardone and Congressman Marcelino Libanan for the upcoming 2025 elections. The delegates included Vice Governor Maricar Goteesan, 13 board members, 19 mayors, and 19 barangay captains. They gave Romualdez a copy of their manifesto to support the duo. Libanan said "We – Governor Evardone and I – are determined to combine our efforts so that we can improve in a big way the living standards, social conditions, and economic opportunities for individuals and communities in Eastern Samar".[1] Because of this, the duo was named the "Power Duo" by news websites.[2]
On October 1, Libanan withdrew his campaign to support his opposition, Maria Fe Abunda's campaign.[3] On October 8, 19 out of the 23 municipal mayors convinced former Vice Governor Sheen Gonzales to run against Incumbent Maria Fe Abunda.[4] Nine days later, Evardone resigned his candidacy to serve as a volunteer to the senatorial team of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, his party. He was substituted by his son, Ralph.[5] Three-term Quinapondan mayor Raffy Asebias decided to run for governor, though his campaign was controversial.[6] Neil Camenforte also decided to run against incumbent Vice Governor Maricar Sison.[7]
Dana de Lira, the incumbent mayor is running under Partido Federal ng Pilipinas while Randy Graza, a former mayoral candidate is running under Alliance for Barangay Concerns.[12][13]
Incumbent Councilor Kuya Vic Ohoy Franco is running under Nationalist People's Coalition while Incumbent Vice Mayor Emmanuel Tiu Sonco is running under Lakas-CMD.[16]
