Former Director of the American Samoa Medicaid State Agency, Sandra King-Young, has formally announced her candidacy for Delegate to the US Congress in the November 2026 elections.
She said in a statement, “I am running because American Samoa cannot afford to be passive while decisions are made in Washington that shape our healthcare system, our economy, our citizenship rights, and our natural resources. Our future demands committed, experienced, vigilant, and effective representation — and I am prepared to do that work.”
King-Young, a former US Senate Rules Committee staffer, said her commitment to public service began when she was 21 and had the honor of working in Washington, D.C. for the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye. “That experience taught me the discipline, sacrifice, and strategic understanding required to deliver real results at the federal level,” she said.. “ After gaining education and experience on the mainland, I returned home to serve our people and our territory.”
Over the past three decades, she has dedicated her life to “advocating for our people, expanding the window of opportunities for our families, and strengthening our governmental and civic institutions.”
King-Young founded the Pacific Islands Center for Educational Development (PICED) which she said helped thousands of young people pursue higher education and leadership pathways. As Medicaid Director, she worked to secure critical funding, build, protect and expand health care services needed by our families. “Having lived in American Samoa for the past 25 years, I understand the reality of our daily lives like our struggles for health care access and the high costs of living,” she said.
She believes American Samoa faces urgent federal priorities that demand skilled representation and strategic problem solving. “Under this current administration, our health care system, education, and more have been undermined via inequitable budget cuts, layoffs, and more. We need leadership in Washington D.C. who will be vigilant regarding any Federal policies that are not in our territory’s best interests, who will fight to protect American Samoa’s Medicaid funding, our school’s funding, and our veterans’ healthcare benefits, among others.”
She continued, “We must have more of a say and self-determination on the issue of Deep-Sea mining and protect our Exclusive Economic Zone from activities that threaten our environment, cultural heritage, and economic future. These are not abstract policy debates. These are decisions that affect our daily lives, our children’s futures and the legacy we will leave behind.”
King-Young said her campaign is grounded on three principles: Duty-because leadership requires courage, accountability, and a willingness to stand up for our people and American Samoa’s interests even when it is difficult; Service-because government exists to uplift communities, open doors, and create opportunity and Experience-because effective advocacy in Washington requires preparation, relationships, strategic thinking and a critical eye to how federal policy is written, funded, and enforced to ensure the future security of our way of life.
She humbly asks for the trust, support and vote of American Samoa’s electors.
“I am running not for recognition, but for duty and responsibility. Not for position, but for purpose and solutions. I am running because I believe our people deserve representation in Washington, D.C. that is effective, strategic and vigilant. We need representation that protects the interests of American Samoa and our future.
“Together, we can do better and we can secure a stronger future for American Samoa — one built on faith, founded on God, guided by service, and strengthened by experience and courage.”
