At long last American Samoa has a new representative in Congress.She is Republican, Aumua Amata Radewagen, who has finally achieved what seemed to be the impossible many years ago, defeating long-serving Congressman, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, on Thursday. The win was not just some victory. Judging by the results, Aumua triumphed in emphatic fashion, crushing all her opponents by a big margin. According to Samoa News, Aumua claimed 42 per cent of the votes while Faleomavaega could only muster 30 per cent. Other congressional candidates including former Governor, Togiola Tulafano, did not get anywhere near.Judging from the response by voters in American Samoa; now is without a doubt Aumua’s time to represent her people as their non-voting delegate to the U.S. House.In doing so, she becomes the first woman to achieve such an honour.To be frank, we cannot recall how many times Aumua has run against Faleomavaega and failed.And yet she never gave up, she persevered, continued to push until now when she has finally broken through. Aumua’s victory means many things but if there is anything that stands out is her determination – and that of her supporters – to fight and continue to fight.For most of us, we would have easily given up. One failed go would probably suffice.Faleomavaega by the way was first elected to the House in 1987. When the polling started, he was seeking his 14th consecutive two-year term, having spent more than 20 years in the role.Sure there were factors that went against Faleomavaega, including his ill health lately.In the end, however, it became clear as daylight that the people of American Samoa were ready for a change. And the voting clearly showed that; of the 45 polling stations, Aumua won 33.What’s remarkable about the result is that while Aumua withheld from commenting publically about her victory, a gracious Faleomavaega was quick to reach out to his opponent to congratulate her.He noted that the battle had been a “hard fought campaign and the people and voters of American Samoa have spoken.”“This is what democracy is all about and I respect the decision made by our voters,” he said.“I will offer my assistance and help in any way to Amata in Washington D.C. Again, I congratulate Amata as she did an excellent job in her campaign in the issues she offered and discussed.”Well how is that for a lesson in humility and being a gracious loser?Imagine the day when that happens in Samoa during our elections, instead of candidates running to lawyers to file petitions for one thing or another? But then on the other hand, as we’ve seen time and time again, there is a very real reason why that happens postelection here.But back to American Samoa, there is something wonderful for all of us in this election. Not only has Aumua’s perseverance paid off, here is Faleomavaega, a long serving Congressman who obviously knows that his time is up and he did the right thing.Imagine how hard it must have been for him after he’d lost to call to offer his congratulations?But he did and that is a sign of a good sport, a leader who knows he has been there long enough, given it everything and that it is time to move on.Now Aumua is taking over American Samoa’s ship amidst some very tough challenges.Among many things is the question of independence that’s always popped up in conversations. We’re not sure what Aumua would do but looking at the reactions from the territory, the people of American Samoa are clearly divided over the issue.Whatever they decide, we’re pretty sure Aumua will play a very vital role in the final decision. It’s not as if she is a stranger to the territory.Aumua is the daughter of former Governor Peter Tali Coleman, who became the first Samoan to govern American Samoa. So Aumua would be right at home in her new role.