2016 United States House of Representatives election in American Samoa

November 8, 2016 (2016-11-08)

Candidate Amata Coleman Radewagen  Salu Hunkin-  Finau  Mapu Jamias  Party Republican Democratic Democratic Popular vote 8,924 1,581 978 Percentage 75.4% 13.4% 8.3%

Results by voting district: Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen:      55–60%      60–65%      65–70%      70–75%      75–80%      80–85%      85–90%

Delegate before election Amata Coleman Radewagen Republican Elected Delegate Amata Coleman Radewagen Republican

An election was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, to elect the non-voting delegate to the United States House of Representatives from American Samoa's at-large congressional district. The election coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including the larger American Samoa general election, as well as the nationwide 2016 United States House of Representatives elections and the 2016 United States general elections.

Incumbent Amata Coleman Radewagen, a Republican who had held the seat since 2015, successfully sought re-election to a second term.^[1] Aumua Amata won re-election with 75.4% of votes cast, the highest number of votes for any elective office in the history of American Samoa.^[2]

Background

In November 2014, Radewagen defeated 10-term incumbent Democratic Rep. Eni Faleomavaega in a crowded race for the seat.^[3]

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.^[1] 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.^[4]
• Paepaetele Mapu Saei Jamias, retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, president of the American Samoa National Olympic Committee^[1][5]
• Meleagi Suitonu-Chapman, retired U.S. federal government employee^[1]

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^[1]

Withdrew

• Tua'au Kereti Mata'utia, withdrew from race on in July 2016^[6]

Campaign

A congressional campaign forum, attended by all five candidates, was held at American Samoa Community College (ASCC) on October 6, 2016.^[7]

Results

The general election took place on November 8, 2016, and Radewagen won with over 75% of the vote, according to official results.

American Samoa Delegate to the United States House of Representatives election, November 8, 2016^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Amata Coleman Radewagen (inc.)	8,924	75.40
	Democratic	Salu Hunkin-Finau	1,581	13.36
	Democratic	Mapu Jamias	978	8.26
	Democratic	Meleagi Suitonu-Chapman	181	1.53
	Independent	Timothy Jones	171	1.44
Total votes			11,835	100
	Republican hold

References

1. "Three for governor/lt governor, 5 for Congress, 62 for AS House". Talanei. September 2, 2016. Archived from the original on November 7, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
2. "AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN". University of Hawaii. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020.
3. Sagapolutele, Fili (November 5, 2014). "Aumua Amata is our new non-voting Delegate to the US House" (PDF). Samoa News. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 7, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
4. "Vaitinasa declares her candidacy for Congress". Talanei. June 15, 2016. Archived from the original on November 7, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
5. "Retired Lt. Col Mapy Jamoas 6th Person To Declare for U.S. Congress". Samoa News. July 15, 2016. Archived from the original on November 7, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
6. "Tua'au Kereti Mata'utia pulls out of race". Talanei. July 14, 2016. Archived from the original on November 7, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
7. "Congressional candidates on US citizenship". Talanei. October 12, 2016. Archived from the original on November 7, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
8. "Election Statistics, 1920 to Present". US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives. September 11, 2001. Retrieved March 30, 2021.

External links

• American Samoa Election Office: Official Certification of Candidate for the November 8, 2016, General Election