November 20, 2012 (2012-11-20) 2016 → 52.9% 47.1% | 6,645 5,908 | |
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The 2012 American Samoa gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2012, for the open gubernatorial seat of American Samoa. The election coincides with the larger United States presidential elections, United States general elections and the American Samoa general election. Since no candidate received a majority of the vote on November 6, a runoff election was held on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, which was won by Independent candidate Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga.
Contents
- Election background
- Gubernatorial candidates
- Withdrew
- Controversy
- Endorsements
- Election results
- References
Six candidates sought election as the next Governor of American Samoa in 2012. Governor Togiola Tulafono was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term.
Election background
The incumbent, Governor Togiola Tulafono, who has held office since 2003, is term-limited and could not seek re-election. Tulafono, who took office after the death of former Governor Tauese Sunia, was elected to his first four-year term in 2004 and re-elected in the 2008 gubernatorial election.
All elections and candidates in American Samoa are nonpartisan, though Faoa Aitofele Sunia is affiliated with the Democratic Party. Slightly less than 17,000 American Samoans were eligible to vote in the 2012 election.
Gubernatorial candidates
Six candidates ran for the office of Governor of American Samoa.
Withdrew
Controversy
The gubernatorial ticket of Save Liuato Tuitele and Sandra King Young filed a petition in September 2012 against four other campaigns questioning their eligibility to run in the election. Tuitele and Young argued that the other four candidates had not resigned from their government jobs before beginning their political campaigns, as required by law. The four candidates challenged by the Tuitele campaign were gubernatorial candidates Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga and Salu Hunkin-Finau, as well as Lt. Governor candidates Taufete'e Faumuina Jr. and Le'i Sonny Thompson.
The case was heard by the High Court of American Samoa, which turned down the petition allowing all candidates to remain in the election.
Endorsements
Outgoing Governor Togiola Tulafono endorsed his Lieutenant Governor, Faoa Aitofele Sunia, for Governor in the six-way election.
Election results
Due to no candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote a runoff election was held.