Who's running for American Samoa's delegate to Congress
6 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Researched by Ballot Explained and checked against the sources cited on this page. Last reviewed . How we research · Report a correction
6 candidates · ballot order · Aumua Amata currently holds this seat
Low confidenceLow confidenceOnly one weak source, dated material, or indirect evidence. Treat specifics with caution.What would raise it: An official filing record and at least one independent report about this candidate would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
A moratorium on deep seabed mining near American Samoa, with a buffer of no less than 50 miles around the territory for any federal offshore mineral leasing.
An environmental impact study before any seabed mineral extraction near the territory.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Delegate since January 2015. Elected with 42% in a nine-way race in 2014, then re-elected with 75.4% (2016), 83.3% (2018), 83.5% (2020), unopposed (2022) and 74.8% (2024).
Caucuses as a Republican. Republican national committeewoman for American Samoa since 1986. Was a Constitution Party member from 2012 to 2014.
Committees: Foreign Affairs (vice chair of the Indo-Pacific Subcommittee), Natural Resources, and Veterans' Affairs (vice chair).
Certified for the 2026 ballot by the Election Office as "Aumua Amata."
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No 2026 reporting was found in which a named supporter or opponent assessed her candidacy or record. Samoa News could not be accessed; Talanei, RNZ Pacific, Pasquines and Pacific Island Times were searched. Both argument columns are left empty rather than filled from one side only.
Her 2026 campaign platform beyond her congressional office's statements.
Whether her party affiliation appears on the printed ballot.
Confirmed by the Fono as director of the Department of Homeland Security under Gov. Lolo Moliga. Earlier: JROTC instructor at Leone and Tafuna high schools, and Parks and Recreation director from 2009 to 2012.
Had announced a run for the seat by March 2026, per Talanei. Certified for the 2026 ballot by the Election Office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
The 2026 platform. No campaign statement or coverage of this 2026 campaign was found in the sources that could be accessed.
No named assessment of this candidacy was found, so both argument columns are empty.
Whether a party affiliation appears beside the name on the printed ballot.
"American Samoa cannot afford to be passive while decisions are made in Washington."
Protecting American Samoa's Medicaid funding, school funding and veterans' health benefits.
Vigilance against federal policies "that are not in our territory's best interests", in light of budget cuts and layoffs she says have hurt health care and education.
Protecting the environment, cultural heritage and the economic future, and restoring collaboration and trust between federal agencies and the territorial government.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Law degree from George Washington University (1998). B.A. in political science from Loyola Marymount University (1990).
Former director of the American Samoa Medicaid State Agency. Chaired the LBJ Hospital board in early 2013.
Founder and executive director of PICED, a college-preparation nonprofit, from 2002 to 2012.
Candidate for lieutenant governor in 2012.
Member of the American Samoa Democratic Party, which has endorsed her. Former Democratic National Committeewoman from American Samoa.
Announced her candidacy on March 2, 2026. Certified for the ballot by the Election Office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No 2026 reporting was found in which a named opponent or outlet assessed her candidacy. Samoa News could not be accessed. Both argument columns are left empty rather than filled from one side only.
Whether a party affiliation appears beside her name on the printed ballot.
Economic diversification and empowerment, his "non-negotiable principle". He notes that 83% of private-sector jobs and 99% of exports depend on one industry, the StarKist cannery, which leaves the territory "one corporate decision away from total economic collapse."
Attracting "high-impact investment" while protecting land and fa'a Samoa.
An immediate halt to the federal deep-sea mining lease sale near American Samoa. He argues it violates the Coastal Zone Management Act and threatens tuna fisheries and public health.
Action on cost of living and the drug crisis affecting young people.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Served more than 15 years on active duty in the U.S. Army and U.S. Special Operations Command Central. Commanded the Army Reserve headquarters company of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry.
B.A. and M.A. in political science from the University of Hawaii. Doctorate in organizational leadership from Argosy University.
Wrote to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in May 2026 demanding a halt to the proposed lease sale.
Certified for the 2026 ballot by the Election Office as "Tuifagaloa Dr. Afu Lefaoseu."
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No named assessment of his candidacy by a supporter or opponent was found. Both argument columns are left empty rather than filled from one side only.
The specific investment "blueprints" he said he would release.
Whether a party affiliation appears beside his name on the printed ballot.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
American Samoa elects one delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives for a two-year term. The delegate can introduce bills and vote in committee but cannot cast a final vote on the House floor. There is no primary. Candidates qualify by filing a nominating petition signed by at least 300 voters, and the Election Office has certified six candidates for the November 3 2026 ballot. In the Office's listing order they are: Aumua Amata (the incumbent), Fualaau Rosie Tago Lancaster, Meleagi Suitonu Chapman, Samana Semo Veavea, Sandra King Young and Tuifagaloa Afu Lefaoseu III. That listing appears to be alphabetical; whether it is also the ballot order was not confirmed. The Election Office's certified list shows no party labels, so each candidate's party is given here as "Nonpartisan" and any known party affiliation is noted in their record; whether the printed ballot shows party labels was not confirmed. Because American Samoa holds no primary for this office, federal law (48 U.S.C. § 1732) elects the delegate by plurality: whoever gets the most votes wins, and there is no runoff. Coverage of this race has been thin. Samoa News, the territory's main newspaper, could not be accessed for this research, and other outlets have published little. No candidate has a for or against argument listed, because no attributable assessment of any candidate's 2026 campaign was found; see each profile's unknowns. Roster from the American Samoa Election Office's certified candidate list, cross-checked with Wikipedia, Ballotpedia and Politics1.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
The ballot in American Samoa also carries legislative seats and other territory offices that we do not cover. They are listed, with registration and early-voting dates and how the winner is decided, on the American Samoa page.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at American Samoa Election Office.