Unofficial results show voters in American Samoa have elected a new Governor, Pulaalii Nikolao Pula, with new Lieutenant Governor Pulu Ae Ae Jr. Photo: Supplied
By Monica Miller
American Samoan voters have elected a new governor and new lieutenant following a run-off election for the gubernatorial race, unofficial results show.
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 are unofficial until 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.
It was in the districts with large numbers of voters that Pula and Pulu widened the gap against their opponents. In Tuala-uta they won by 687 votes - 1401 to 714 votes for Lemanu and Laapui.
In Pago Pago, the vote difference was 329, with Pula and Pulu receiving 492 votes to Lemanu and Laapui's 163 votes.
In Ituau, Pula and Pulu won by 243 votes - 738 votes for Pula and Pulu to 495 for Lemanu and Laapui.
Other substantial victories were in Aua, where Pula and Pula received 263 votes to 92 for Lemanu and Laapui. In Leone, the result was 429 for Pula and Pulu to 276 for Lemanu and Laapui.
Out of the 17 voting districts, Lemanu and Laapui topped the polls in four: Vaifanua, Sua No 2, Alataua and Tuala-tai but the margins were slim.
Governor-elect Pulaalii said in a statement: "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.