American Samoa’s congressional race is a crowded one this election year with nine candidates including the incumbent, Congressman Faleomavaega Eni, who has already been endorsed by the Democratic Party of American Samoa.

Deadline to register candidates for the Nov. 4th general election was 4:30p.m. yesterday with the final list released last night by chief election officer  Tuaolo M. Fruean saying that he has certified nine candidates for the Congressional race.

While six candidates - including former governor Togiola Tulafono - have previously announced their candidacy, the final list officially confirms Faleomavaega seeking re-election. And two other new candidates on the list are local attorney Mark Ude as well as a former congressional candidate Tuika Tuika Jr.

The other candidates who have already made official announcements are Aumua Amata, Mapu J. Jamias, Meleagi Suitonu-Chapman, Rosie Fualaau Tago Lancaster.

For the local House race, there are 46 candidates vying for the 20-elected seats of the 21 member House of Representatives.

The 21st member of the local House is the non-voting Swains Island Delegate. Based on local laws, the Delegate for Swains Island is decided through an “open meeting” of Swains Islanders and the Election Office have not yet announced as to when that meeting will occur.

See tomorrow’s edition for more details as well as the complete lists of all candidates.