General elections were held in American Samoa on November 8, 2016, coinciding with the 2016 United States presidential elections and other US elections.

Incumbent Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga sought re-election and won, defeating Faoa Aitofele Sunia by 60% to 36%, while Tuika Tuika received 4% of the vote.

Incumbent delegate Amata Coleman Radewagen, a Republican who had held the seat since 2015, also successfully sought re-election to a second term. Aumua Amata won re-election with 75% of votes cast, the highest number of votes for any elective office in the history of American Samoa.

Background In November 2014 Radewagen defeated 10-term incumbent Democratic representative Eni Faleomavaega in a crowded race for the delegate seat.

Gubernatorial candidates Lolo Matalasi Moliga, incumbent governor, affiliated with the Democratic Party Running mate: Lemanu Peleti Mauga, incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Faoa Aitofele Sunia, former lieutenant governor, affiliated with the Democratic Party Running mate: Larry Sanitoa, Territorial Representative

Tuika Tuika, accountant and candidate for governor in 2008, affiliated with the Republican Party Running mate: Iuni Maeva, veteran

Delegate candidates Five candidates filed to run for election to American Samoa's lone seat in the United States House of Representatives: three women and two men. All elections in American Samoa were officially non-partisan, though candidates have identified with a particular political party.

Democratic Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin-Finau, educator, former president of American Samoa Community College, 2012 candidate for Governor of American Samoa, sister of former Delegate Eni Faleomavaega. Paepaetele Mapu Saei Jamias, retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, president of the American Samoa National Olympic Committee Meleagi Suitonu-Chapman, retired U.S. federal government employee

Republican Amata Coleman Radewagen, incumbent delegate for the United States House of Representatives

Independents Tim Jones, engineer and 2012 candidate for Governor of American Samoa

Withdrew Tua'au Kereti Mata'utia, withdrew from race on in July 2016

Campaign Delegate A congressional campaign forum, attended by all five candidates, was held at American Samoa Community College (ASCC) on October 6, 2016.

Results Governor

Delegate

House of Representatives District Candidate Votes %1 – Manuʻa Fetu Fetui Jr. 500 41.46Vesi Talalelei Fautanu Jr. 374 31.01Mailo Oge T. Nua 219 18.16Ofisa Asoau Jr. 113 9.372 – Manuʻa Toeaina Faufano Autele 153 38.73Fetui Rames Howard Molipe 127 32.15Auega Taulaga Sualevai 72 18.23Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei 23 5.82Saiaona'i T. Tuiolosega 20 5.063 – Vaifanua Lavea Fatulegae'e Palepoi Mauga 408 65.91Uta Dr. Laloulu Tagoilelagi 211 34.094 – Saole Kitara Vaiau 169 36.19Talaimatai Elisara Su'a 117 25.05Va'asa Uluiva Simanu 111 23.77Manaea Fotu Leuta 70 14.995 – Sua #1 Puleleiite Li'a Tufele Jr. 161 31.08Tuialofi F. L. Tunupopo 149 28.76Uele Fale Savaliga Uele 118 22.78Ketesemane Meaole 90 17.376 – Sua #2 Matagi David Sialega Mauga 170 44.39Loia Gutu 110 28.72Limutau F.C. Limutau 76 19.84'Aulualo Folau Solofa Fatu 27 7.057 – Maoputasi #1 Vailoata Eteuati Amituana'i 332 68.74Salote Lutu Schuster 151 31.268 – Maoputasi #2 Vailiuama Steve Leasiolagi 224 46.47Maugaoalii Le'apai Sipa Anoa'i 223 46.27Ta'amuolevaigafa Iakope Ta'amu 35 7.269 – Maoputasi #3 Ve'evalu Meauta Lauoi Mageo 287 35.21Fiasili Puni E. Haleck 267 32.76Pago Pagoa Freddy T. Malala 135 16.56Utaifeau Lefiu Bill Kalasa 126 15.4610 – Maoputasi #4 Vaetasi Tu'umolimoli S. Moliga 148 53.24Fatima Faumuina Langkilde 81 29.14Tapai Alailepule Benjamin Vaivao 49 17.6311 – Maoputasi #5 Faimealelei Anthony Fu'e Allen 220 46.51Barbara Pelina Fesilafa'i Salima 136 28.75Muaiavaona Fofoga Pila 117 24.7412 – Ituau Manumaua Wayne Wilson 1,037 41.90Sataua Dr. Mataese Samuelu 766 30.95Vaiaitu Mulinu'u Filo T Maluia 672 27.1513 – Fofo Fagaoatua Dorian T. Salave'a 348 37.74Andra Tereise Samoa 290 31.45Puletu D. Koko 284 30.8014 – Lealataua Savali Talavou Ale 408 10015 – Tualauta Samuel Ioka Ale Meleisea 978 23.29Vui Florence Tuāumu Saulo 760 18.10Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr. 754 17.96Ryan A. Peau 526 12.53Ufuti Fa'afetai Ieremia 522 12.43Bartley Lucia Su'a 386 9.19Saipai Cassens 148 3.52Leomiti Faitamai Leomiti 125 2.9816 – Tualatai Timusa Tini C. Lam Yuen 278 38.45Manavaalofa Tutuila Manase 206 28.49Galumalemana Bill Satele 108 14.94Nu'u Lefanoga Eseroma 81 11.20Taumanupepe Fm Hunkin Seumanu 44 6.09Fauolevavau Lopati Tuatagaloa 6 0.8317 – Leasina Gafatasi Afalava 272 60.04Atalina Asifoa 132 29.14Maneafaiga T. Faoa 49 10.82Source: Election Office

References