As he prepares for his second term as representative of Tuala-uta in the American Samoa Legislature. Samuelu Ioka Meleisea says he’s honored that voters have decided to return him to the House.
He said just like the 2016 election, he was up against “more seasoned and well financed candidates”.
However, the people spoke and for that he is forever grateful and honored to continue the work.
Meleisea stated that he’s encouraged to know that his district approved of his efforts to improve the quality of life in Tuala-uta “little by little”.
But his popularity among voters seems to have slipped on Tuesday.
Whereas Meleisea topped the Tuala-uta polls in the 2016 election, he had to settle for second place garnering 820 votes while Larry Sanitoa had the most with 981. There were six other candidates on the ballot.
Meleisea said his campaign was off to a late start this year.
He told KHJ News, “Lots of people thought I wasn’t running because of the lack of signs and active campaigning.
“While the candidates were out campaigning to be Rep, I was busy being Rep.”
He pointed to his posts on Face Book as evidence of the work he was doing.
“I’ve been working hard with either DPW or ASPA as well as other ASG departments to try and meet district needs while pushing our projects. Our constituents want to see things getting done and that’s what I’ve been doing up until a few weeks ago when I finally posted campaign messages and installed lawn signs throughout Tualauta”.
He added, “And the people responded in kind”.
Asked about priorities for his second term as faipule, Meleisea said, “Tuala-uta priorities are up for discussion now that Larry and I will be working together. But I remain committed to developing Tuala-uta infrastructure, education, healthcare and youth issues”.
He said,”There’s so much to do but very little time. So we have to start early to push for Tuala-uta needs”.
