American Samoa elects new Governor & Lt. Governor in run-off

Apia, Samoa – 21 November 2024 – Provisional results show voters in American Samoan have elected a new Governor and new Lieutenant following a run-off election for the gubernatorial race.

Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Pulu Ae Ae Jr collected 5846 (59.8 percent) of the 9771 votes, while incumbent Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Lt Governor Laapui Talauega Eleasalo Ale received 3925 votes (40.2 percent).

The results will be confirmed after seven days.

Pulaalii, a career has civil servant, has served as director of the Office of Territorial and Insular Affairs, Department of Interior for more than 20 years.

Pulu, a US Army retiree, has headed the Pago Pago Field Office of Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata for the last ten years. He is also a former member of the American Samoa House of Representatives.

The run off was required after none of the three competing candidates secured 50% of the vote during the gubernatorial election on 6 November.

The team of Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Pulu Ae Ae Jr topped the polls in the gubernatorial race then 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).

In a statement after the run off, Governor-elect Pulaalii said: “We need to come together and heal any wounds or divisions that a long campaign creates in our families and villages. Please be kind to one another. Please let God’s spirit propel us forward in the days and years ahead.”

The new leaders will be sworn in 3 January 2025.