Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is running unopposed for American Samoa congressional seat while five faipule for the local House race face no challengers in the 2022 Mid Term election in November, according data in the “Determination of Eligibility of Candidates” for 2022 Election notice release after 4:30p.m Sept. 01 by Chief Election Officer, Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei.

He also said that all “candidates will be Officially Certified” pursuant to section 6.0302(a) of the American Samoa Code Annotated referring to a provision under local law regarding “Challenging of Candidates”.

This provision of the law states in part that: Any registered qualified elector may, for any cause not previously decided by the Board of Registration or the High Court in respect to the same person, challenge the right of that person to be a candidate for office in a general or special election.

The challenge shall be made no later than 4:30 p.m. on the third business day after the Chief Election Officer issues his determination of nominated candidates eligible for election. The challenge shall be in writing, setting forth the grounds upon which it is based, and be signed by the person making the challenge.

Furthermore, the challenge shall be delivered to the Chief Election Officer, who shall immediately serve notice of it on the candidate. The Chief Election Officer shall, as soon as possible, investigate and rule on the challenge.  

According the “Determination of Eligibility of Candidates”, the Congresswoman — who maintains her name “Aumua Amata” on the ballot — is the only candidate determined as eligible for the mid-term election for the congressional race. No other information was available yet as to whether any other candidate submitted a petition but didn’t qualify to run.

Former unsuccessful congressional candidate Meleani Suitonu Chapman had announced her intention to run for the Delegate seat to the U.S House and Election Office data early in August showed that she picked up a petition.

But Election Office data requested by Samoa News early last week shows that Chapman’s name was no longer on the list for the Congressional race.

In the local House of Representatives races: 19 out of the 20-elected faipule are seeking re-election including House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale (Alataua), who faces one challenger.

Rep. Vaetasi Tuumolimoli S. Moliga for District #10-Maoputasi #4, is not seeking election, as his name is not on the Determination of Candidates list. However, there are two candidates vying for the seat in this district.

Tualauta Representative District #15 has the highest number of candidates at six of them, including the incumbents, Reps. Larry S. Sanitoa and Samuel Ioka Meleisea.

“Based upon the Nomination Petitions filed and other documents on record with the Election Office, I have determined that the following individuals are hereby eligible to qualify as candidates for the November 08, 2022 Midterm Election,” declared Dr. Uiagalelei in the “Determination of Eligibility of Candidates for the November 08, 2022” notice issued Sept. 01.

Here is the name list as presented by the Chief Election Office. The asterisk (*) indicates the incumbents:

DELEGATE TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS

1. Aumua Amata *

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Representative District #1 – Manu’a

1. Ali’itama Sotoa

2. Alumamalu Ale Filoialii*

3. Elijah J. Leasau

4. Fetui Fetu Jr.*

5. Paepaetele Mapu Jamias

Representative District #2 – Manu’a

1. Tiaoalii Fauagiga T. Sai*

2. Tili Tavita

Representative District #3 – Vaifanua

1. Lavea Fatulegae’e Palepoi Mauga*

2. Shaun Onosa’i Vaa

3. Tuaomalotumua Lonenoa Philip Faoa

Representative District #4 – Saole

1. Titiali’i Kitara Vaiau*

2. Vaasa Uluiva Simanu

Representative District #5 – Sua #1

1. Luaitaua Gene Pan*

Representative District #6 – Sua #2

1. Avagafono, Tuavao Vaimaga Maiava*

Representative District #7 – Maoputasi #1

1. Vailoata Eteuati Amituana’i*

Representative District #8 – Maoputasi #2       

1. Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr

2. Vailiuama Steve Leasiolagi*

Representative District #9 – Maoputasi #3

1. Vesiai Poyer S. Samuelu*

Representative District #10 – Maoputasi #4

1. Alaese Tina Faisiotamo’i Vivao Ioane


2. Tapai Alailepule Benjamin Vaivao

Representative District #11 – Maoputasi #5

1. Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen*

2. Muaiavaona Fofoga Pila

Representative District #12 – Ituau

1. Fa’afeo Lagafuaina
2. Logoituau Mark T. Atafua*

3. Manumaua Wayne Wilson*

4. Tautoloitua Sauasetoa Ho Ching

Representative District #13 – Fofo

1.Andra Samoa*

2. Fiu John Saelua

Representative District # 14 – Alataua

1. Fatumalala Leulua’i Al-Shehri

2. Savali Talavou Ale*

Representative District #15 – Tualauta

1. Bartley, Papali’i Su’a Lucia

2. Fiatagata Maloa Amani Johnson

3. Larry S. Sanitoa*

4. Samuel Ioka Meleisea*

5. Tauinaola Jeremiah Tatupu