Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata will not face any challenger in the November 8th general elections. When the deadline for nominating petitions to be filed closed yesterday, Uifaatali was the only candidate who was certified by the Election Office to be a candidate for American Samoa’s seat in Congress.
For the American Samoa House of Representatives election, 39 candidates are running for 20 of the 21 seats. The 21st seat is for Swains Island which is not contested at the polls but selected by consensus.
Five incumbent faipule are running unopposed, the largest number of incumbents not facing any challenges at the polls, in a House of Representatives race.
The unopposed incumbents are:
- Luaitaua Gene Pan in Sua #1
- Avagafono Vaimaga Maiava in Sua #2
- Vailoata Eteuati Amituanai in Mauputasi #1
- Vesiai Poyer Samuelu in Mauputasi #2
- Ape Mike Asifoa in Leasina.
Rep. Tu’umolimoli Vaetasi Moliga is the only current serving member of the House who’s not seeking re-election.
There are nine women candidates:
- Incumbent Andra Samoa in Fofo
- Vaasa Ulugia Simanunu in Saole
- Alaese Tina Faisiotamo’i Vivao Ioane in Mauputasi #4
- Faafeo Lagafuaina in Ituau
- Fatumalala Leulua’i al-Shehri in Alataua,
- Papalii Su’a Lucia Bartley, Vui Florence Saulo and Fiatagata Amani Johnson in Tuala-uta
- Moira Fatima Maiava in Tuala-tai.
Tuala-uta has the highest number of candidates, six, aiming for the district’s two seats. Manu’a District #1 has the next highest with 5 vying for the district’s two seats.
There are several first time candidates including:
- Tili Tavita in Manu’a #2
- Malaetalu Melesio Gurr in Mauputasi #2
- Muaiavaona Fofoga Pila in Maoputasi #5
- Tautoloitua Sauasetia Ho Ching and Faafeo Lagafuaina in Ituau.
- Fiu John Saelua in Fofo,
Tauinaola Jeremiah Tatupu in Tuala-uta
Moira Fatima Maiava in Tuala-tai.
Click on the link for the full list of individuals who have been certified by the Election Office as candidates for the November 8th general elections: Determination-of-Eligibility-of-Candidates-2022
