Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The race for American Samoa’s At-Large Delegate seat in the United States Congress officially commenced today as Tuifagaloa Dr. Afu Lefaoseu III became the first candidate to formally pick up nomination papers and petitions from our local election office as it opened for the upcoming 2026 Midterm Election on June 15, 2026.

Campaign representatives stated that Tuifagaloa Dr. Afu Lefaoseu III’s prompt signing-up at our local election office as the first candidate to pick up nomination papers and petition serve as a testament to his urgency and passion for representing the people of American Samoa. Running under the campaign banner, "People's Choice, We Can Believe In," Dr. Lefaoseu’s bid emphasizes, to introduce what he characterizes as a fresh, visible, and proactive voice to Washington D.C.

To fulfill local electoral requirements and officially secure his place on the ballot, Dr. Lefaoseu has launched a localized petition drive. He is humbly requesting the mandatory 300 signatures from registered voters within the community to demonstrate initial grassroots backing.

According to his campaign announcement, Dr. Lefaoseu’s platform will focus on "bottom-up" progress that spans all generations—from the young to elders—while balancing traditional cultural heritage with American Samoa's unique position in the modern global landscape, taking advantage of the best of the 2 worlds. Described by supporters as a homegrown leader who rose from the grassroots to serve the nation, Dr. Lefaoseu asserts he is fully prepared to advocate fiercely for local interests.

"Our time has come to overcome past frustrations, invest heavily in keeping our youth close to home, and truly appreciate and develop our local community," the candidate noted in his opening address.

The campaign intends to fully unveil its comprehensive policy platform in the coming weeks through a series of community outreach initiatives, town halls, and media appearances.

Registered voters interested in supporting Dr. Lefaoseu's petition or learning more about his upcoming campaign events are encouraged to connect with campaign organizers locally through the following pathways:

(Prepared by the Vote Lefaoseu for U.S. Congress 2026 Campaign Committee)