Midterm Election brings 5 changes to the House of Representatives

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Five new faipule will be joining the 20-elected members of the local House of Representatives next year after they were elected Tuesday by their constituents in the 2022 Midterm Election, according to unofficial results released early yesterday morning.

The candidates who were successful in their bids for office are:

•           Former faipule, Shawn Onosai Va’a of District 3 — Vaifanua replaces incumbent Lavea Fatulegae’e P. Mauga.

•           Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr of District #8 — Maoputasi #2 replaces incumbent Vailiuama Steve Leasiolagi, the current chairman of the House Budget and Appropriations Committee.

•           Tapai Alailepule Benjamin Vaivao for District #10 – Maoputasi #4 takes over the elected seat, as incumbent, Vaetasi Tuumolimoli S. Moliga didn’t seek re-election.

•           Tautoloitua Sauasetoa Ho Ching replaces incumbent Logoituau Mark T. Atafua for one of the two seats for District #12 - Ituau. The other seat is held by incumbent, Manumaua Wayne Wilson, who was re-elected.

•           Former chief of staff during the Lolo Administration, Fiu John Saelua of District #13 — Fofo replaces incumbent Andra Samoa.

Rep. Samoa is the only female-faipule in the current Legislature and she was first elected to office in 2018.

Faipule Samoa  posted Tuesday night on her social media account, a special message to her constituents: “My dearest village of Leone, Glory Be to God that we have peacefully concluded our election with the will of our voters to elect Chief Fiu J. Saelua to be our next faipule for District #13, Fofo, Leone.

“In a democratic system, the power rests with the people and YOU have expressed that tonight,” she said.

“I am confident with all of us lending support in unity and working together with our elected faipule, there will be strength and resiliency to tackle for many our village's problems and challenges.

 “I acknowledge and congratulate Chief Fiu J. Saelua for a successful campaign and wish him luck,” she said.

“Let there be peace and love within our village and a reminder that LOVE IS SACRIFICE.”

As previously reported by Samoa News — based on data from the Election Office — there were five-incumbent faipule who ran unopposed this year.

For House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, the longest serving House member, he regained his seat for District 14 Alataua.

Also re-elected was House Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui Jr., who holds one of the two seats for District #1 — Manu’a. The other seat is held by incumbent faipule Alumamalu Ale Filoialii Jr., who was also re-elected.

CONGRESSIONAL RACE

Incumbent Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, who ran unopposed this year, is returning to Washington D.C. for another two-year term in office. Unofficially, tally for the Delegate to the U.S House race, released by the Election Office, shows the incumbent with 6,637 votes.