The government of American Samoa consists of a locally elected governor, lieutenant governor and the American Samoa Fono, which consists of an 18-member Senate and a 21-member House of Representatives.[1] The first popular election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor took place in 1977.[2] Candidates for the offices run together on a joint ticket.[3] The first woman to run for election was Arieta Enesi Mulitauaopele in 1977.[3]
| Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Type | Lieutenant Governor |
| Formation | 1974 |
| First holder | Frank Barnett |
The current lieutenant governor is Eleasalo Ale, who has been in office since 2021.[4]
List of lieutenant governors of American Samoa
editAppointed lieutenant governors
edit- Frank Barnett (Democrat, 1974–76)
Elected lieutenant governors
edit| Image | Name | Political party | Term started | Term ended | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tufele Liamatua (1940–2011) |
Republican | January 3, 1978 | January 3, 1985 | First elected lt. governor of American Samoa[2] | |
|
Eni Faleomavaega (1943–2017) |
Democratic | January 3, 1985 | January 2, 1989[5] | |
| Galea'i Peni Poumele (1926–1992) |
Republican | January 2, 1989[5] | July 27, 1992 | Poumele died in office in July 1992. | |
| Gaioi Tufele Galeai | Republican | August 1992 | January 4, 1993 | Widow of Lt. Governor Galea'i Peni Poumele. Served the remainder of Poumele's unexpired term | |
|
Tauese Sunia (1941–2003) |
Democratic | January 4, 1993[5] | January 3, 1997 | |
|
Togiola Tulafono (b. 1947) |
Democratic | January 3, 1997[5] | March 26, 2003 | Acting governor from March 26, 2003, to April 7, 2003, following the death of Governor Tauese Sunia. |
| Office vacant March 23 – April 11, 2003 | |||||
|
Faoa Aitofele Sunia (b. 1943) |
Democratic | April 11, 2003 | January 3, 2013 | |
|
Lemanu Peleti Mauga (b. 1960) |
Independent | January 3, 2013 | January 3, 2021 | |
| Democratic | |||||
|
|
Salo Ale (b. 1969) |
Democratic | January 3, 2021 | Incumbent | |
References
edit- ^ "American Samoa Country Brief". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia). April 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
- ^ a b "Peter Tali Coleman biography". Governors. American Samoa. Archived from the original on 2010-09-19. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
- ^ a b Simon-McWilliams, Ethel (1987). Glimpses into Pacific Lives: Some Outstanding Women (Revised) (PDF). Portland, Oregon: Northwest Regional Educational Lab. pp. 14–18. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ^ "Lemanu Sialega Mauga on track to be next American Samoa Governor". RNZ. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d Sorensen, Stan (2007-01-09). "Historical Notes" (PDF). Tapuitea Official Newsletter of American Samoa. p. 2. Retrieved 2010-09-02.