Meet the candidates for the mid-term: 55 for Faipule, 3 for U.S. Congress
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Chief Election Officer, Dr. Lealo Uiagalelei has determined that three individuals are eligible as candidates for the US Delegate seat and fifty five for the local House of Representatives race, including two faipule incumbents running unopposed.
“Based upon Nomination Petitions filed and other documents on record with the Election Office,” Uiagalelei said, the individuals are eligible to qualify as candidates for the Nov. 6, 2018 mid-term election.
CHALLENGES
The determination list also notes that all candidates will be “officially certified” as candidates pursuant to Sec- tion 6.0302(a) of the American Samoa Code Annotated — under which any registered qualified elector may challenge the right of any person to be a candidate for public office.
And the challenge shall be made no later than 4:30pm on the 3rd business day after the Chief Election Officer issues his determination of nominated candidates eligible for election. Therefore, the deadline to file a challenge is 4:30pm. Friday Sept. 7, according to the Election Office.
CONGRESSIONAL AND LOCAL HOUSE RACES
In the Congressional race, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is seeking a third two-year term in the US House and she is being challenged by Meleagi Suitonu-Chapman and Tuika Tuika Jr., according to the deter- mination list dated Sept. 1, 2018 at 4:30p.m.
For the local House of Rep- resentatives race, two incumbent faipule are running unopposed this year. They are Rep. Titiali’i Kitara Vaiau of Representative District #4 — Saole (comprising Aunuu, Amouli, Utumea and Alofau) and Rep. Vailoata Eteuati Amituana’i for Representative District #7 — Maoputasi #1 (comprising Fatumafuti, Fagaalu and Utulei).
The list also confirmed that incumbent Rep. Toeaina Faufano Autele for Representative District #2 — Manu’a (comprising Ofu, Olosega/Sili) is not seeking re-election.
House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale of Representative District #14 — Alataua, will be facing two possible challengers this year.
In past years, before the ballots are printed, all certified candidates are given the chance to review how their names will appear on the ballot and the placing of their names on the ballot.
The following is the determination list, released by the Election Office, featuring the names — as they are spelled — and the order candidates are listed. An “I” next to the name stands for incumbent:
DELEGATE TO THE UNITED STATES
Aumua Amata (I)
Meleagi Suitonu- Chapman
Tuika Tuika
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Representative District #1 – Manu’a
Alumamalu Ale Filoialii
Fetu Fetui Jr. (I)
Mapu Saei Jamias
Vesi Talalelei Fautanu Jr. (I)
Representative District #2 – Manu’a
Fau T. Sai
Leautu Segila Vaeao
Moegu Calvin Tagaloa
Sualevai Nofoaiga Sualevai
Representative District #3 – Vaifanua
Lavea Fatulegae’e Palepoi Mauga (I)
Tupua Shawn Vaa
Representative District #4 – Saole
Titiali’i Kitara Vaiau (I)
Representative District #5 – Sua #1
Gene Luaitaua Pan
Fa’alae Lauatuaa Koneseti Tunupopo
Fialupe Felila Fiaui Lutu (I)
Mataava Snow-Aga
Setu F. Malepeai Jr.
Representative District #6 – Sua #2
Limutau Fauvasa Limutau
Loia Gutu
Matagi Malotumau D. Sialega Mauga (I)
Representative District #7 – Maoputasi #1
Vailoata Eteuati Amituanai (I)
Representative District #8 – Maoputasi #2
Agalelei Latu Fatuesi
Maugaoali’I Le’apai Sipa Anoa’i
Siaosi Asalele
Vailiuama Steve Leasiolagi (I)
Representative District #9 – Maoputasi #3
Paepaetele Taulua Fruean Suisala Jr.
Ve’evalu Meauta Lauoi Mageo (I)
Vesiai Poyer Samuelu
Representative District #10 – Maoputasi #4
Tapai Alailepule Ben Vaivao
Tina Faisiotamo’ i Vivao Ioane
Vaetasi Tu’umolimoli S. Moliga (I)
Representative District #11 – Maoputasi #5
Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen (I)
Muaiavaona Fofoga Pila
Representative District #12 – Ituau
Logoituau Mark T. Atafua
Manumaua Wayne Wilson (I)
Sala Sataua Dr. Mataese Samuelu (I)
Willie Mauga Togafau
Representative District #13 – Fofo
Andra Samoa
Fagaoatua Dorian T. Salave’a (I)
Representative District # 14 – Alataua
Fatumalala L. Al-Shehri
Mona Uli
Savali Talavou Ale (I)
Representative District #15 – Tualauta
Bartley Papali’i Su’a Lucia
Foma’i Paepule Logoai
Larry S. Sanitoa
Malumalo Nikolao Toa Mageo
Samuel Ioka Ale Meleisea (I)
Talataina Valusia Talataina
Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr.
Vui Florence Tuaumu Saulo (I)
Representative District #16 – Tualatai
Manavaalofa Tutuila Manase
Manu Talamoa
Peni (Ben) Te’o
Timusa Tini C. Lam Yuen (I)
Representative District #17 – Leasina
Afalava Gafatasi (I)
Ulua’iaso Falana’i Tuilefano
Alofa Tuaumu