American Samoa governor candidates set for election runoff

The team of Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Pulu Ae Ae Jr topped the polls in the gubernatorial race Wednesday, winning 4284 votes (42.4 percent) of the 10,113 votes cast.

Incumbents Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Lt Governor Laapui Talauega Eleasalo Ale received 3660 (36.2) votes, while Vaitautolu Talia Iaulualo and Maefau Dr Mary Taufetee received 2169 votes (21.4 percent), according to the results released after 1am onby the Election Office.

In an election with more than two candidates, in order to be declared the winner, a team has to garner 50 percent of the votes plus 1. It means that there will be a run off election between the team of Pula and Pulu and Lemanu and Laapui in two weeks.

Pula and Pulu had convincing victories in Pago Pago winning 472 votes to 200 for Lemanu and Laapui and 30 for Vaitautolu and Taufetee. And also in Tuala-uta polling 1032 ballots to 682 for Lemanu and Laapui and 491 for Vaitautolu and Taufetee.

Another significant victory was in Leone where they won 356 votes compared to 235 for Lemanu and Laapui and 112 for Vaitautolu and Taufetee.

Lemanu and Laapui outpolled their opponents in many of the districts on the eastern side of the island, with the exception of Pago Pago. But with the biggest margins in Sua #2 winning 165 votes to 85 votes for Pula and Pulu and 45 for Vaitautolu and Taufetee. And also in Alataua with 241 votes vs 119 for Pula and Pulu and 53 for Vaitautolu and Taufetee.

There was dancing and singing at the Pulu guesthouse in Pago Pago as poll watchers for the Pula and Pulu camp called in results from the polling places.

Pulaalii Niko Pula said in a statement: "We asked the people of American Samoa to vote for Pula and Pulu if they shared our vision for Honest Governance leading to Peace and Prosperity, and we are deeply gratified to learn that more than 60% of the voters are 'united for change' and have placed their trust in Pula and Pulu. Faafetai, Faafetai, Faafetai tele."

"We look forward to sharing our vision over the next two weeks, and proving worthy of the public's trust for the next four years."

In the congressional race incumbent Aumua Amata has been re-elected winning 7,394 ballots or 74.8% of the 9,888 votes cast. Luisa Kuaea polled 1840 votes (18.6 percent), Fualaau Rosie Lancaster received 469 votes (4.7 percent), and Meleagi Suitonu Chapman received 185 votes (1.9).

Aumua topped the polls in all districts.

In the House of Representatives race, 17 incumbents have been re-elected while four have lost their seats.

Those who lost their seats are Titialii Kitara Vaiau, who was defeated by Vaasa Simanu in Saole, Vesiai Poyer Samuelu, who was defeated by Trude Gasetotolemasina Ledoux -Sunia in Maoputasi #5, Samuel Ioka Meleisea in Tualata uta, who will be replaced by Ben Vaomu Sauvao and Faauifono Vaitautolu, who will be replaced by Vala Porotesano Liusamoa for one of the two seats for Manu'a District #1.

The new House of Representatives will have two women: Vaasa Simanu and Trude Ledoux Sunia.