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Second Democrat gets ready to run for Delegate’s seat

Civilian aide to the Secretary of the U.S. Army, Mapu Jamias has informed the American Samoa Democratic Party of his intention to run in the November general election for American Samoa’s delegate seat to the U.S. House and he plans to make an official announcement of his candidacy over the weekend.

 

Samoa News reported late last month, that Education director Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin-Finau had informed a Jan. 20 meeting of the local Democratic Party of her intentions to run for Congress. However, she has not yet made an official announcement. (See Samoa News Jan. 22 edition for details.)

 

“It was the same night that Salu informed the Democratic Party meeting of her candidacy that I also submitted to the Party my papers regarding my intention as a Democrat to run our Congressional seat,” Jamias said in a phone interview. “But I didn’t make any verbal statement to the Party at the time, until recently.”

 

Responding to Samoa News questions, local Party chairman Fagafaga Daniel Langkilde confirmed that during a Party meeting last Wednesday, Jamias announced his intention to run for Congress. And Jamias will be running as a Democrat, which makes two so far, who will be running as Democrats, including Vaitinasa who announced earlier, he said.

 

“I am very happy that we will have Democratic candidates in the congressional race this year and am looking forward to them highlighting the principles of the Democratic Party and how it will help American Samoa, especially in these difficult economic times,” Fagafaga said yesterday.

 

Samoa News should point out that all candidates — both local and for the Congressional Delegate’s seat do not declare a party affiliation during their campaigns. The Congressional Delegate once elected then declares a party with which to caucus.

 

“With all the major issues that are currently hanging over us like fisheries, minimum wage, the cabotage law and other federal policies that are impacting us, there is a need for a representative in congress who can get results,” Fagafaga said.

 

Jamias was unsuccessful in his bid in 2014 race for the Delegate seat that Congresswoman Aumua Amata now occupies. Aumua has confirmed that she is seeking re-election this year. She is a declared Republican.

 

“Two years ago, I entered the Congressional race in mid July — which was already mid way through campaigning with only three months left before the November election in 2014,” Jamias said yesterday. “This time, I started early, working with my advisory group and seeking input from them and we have held a couple of meetings.”

 

Now Jamias is prepared to make an official public announcement of his candidacy, set for 2p.m this Saturday (Mar. 5) to a gathering of supporters and friends at Maliu Mai in Fogagogo.

 

While details of his campaign platform are expected to be released soon, Jamias said he would focus on education, economy, health and environment — which “are some of the very important issues for American Samoa.”

 

Asked why he is running again, he responded, “I feel that I can contribute to the betterment of American Samoa through public service. And with my 31 years of military experience, I believe I can open more doors in Washington for our government and people.”

 

He recalled his grandmother’s words which still remain with him, “to return home to serve your people. And I’m here to ‘tautua’, to serve the people of American Samoa.”

 

A retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Jamias is the JROTC program director and played a role in the establishment of the local U.S. Army Reserve in the 1980s. He sits on an executive committee of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and chairs the AIBA’s Athletes and Youth Commission.

 

Additionally, he is the president of the American Samoa Boxing Federation and co-owner of Maliu Mai.

 

Meanwhile, Vaitinasa’s weekly newsletter for the week of Feb. 29, reports that ASDOE leadership and staff have inquired if it’s true that the director will be leaving the department. While she has not made any public announcement, Vaitinasa confirmed that she has filed to run for public office with the local Democratic Party and she plans to stay with ASDOE until the end of this year, the newsletter states, but didn’t say which public office.

 

Jamias said he is looking to meet with Vaitinasa soon regarding the Congressional race. “We’re very good friends,” Jamias said referring to Vaitinasa.\\