Some campaign chests are heavier than others.
The Federal Elections Commission is out with candidates’ final campaign finance filings before next Tuesday’s election.
KHJ News Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports, one congressional candidate is significantly ahead in the money race…
Incumbent GOP Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen has raised almost $63,000 this year through mid-October for here-election bid.
Democratic challenger and former Education Director Vaitinasa Salu Hunkin-Finau has raised almost $42,000 including $7,000 in candidate contributions–while Democrat Mapu Jamias raised just under $12,000.
Two other minor candidates, commercial boat owner Tim Jones, an independent, and Meleangi Suitonu Chapman, a Democrat did not file campaign finance reports, even though they are on the ballot.
Congresswoman Radewagen spent more than $42,000 on her re-election effort through the latest filing, while Hunkin-Finau spent over $38,000.
Paepaetele Mapu Jamias spent a bit over $8,000 and had about $3,600 left in the remaining weeks before the election.
That compared with $4600 left for Hunkin-Finau…but more than $21,000 remaining for Republican Radewagen.
Whoever’s’selected to represent American Samoa in the next Congress is almost certain to face a GOP majority.
Recent polling shows less down-ballot effect from scandals surrounding GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, amid a renewed FBI investigation of Democrat Hillary Clinton’s use of a private e-mail server.
