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.[4]
The current lieutenant governor is Eleasalo Ale, who has been in office since 2021.[5]
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[6] | |
Galea'i Peni Poumele (1926-1992) |
Republican | January 2, 1989[6] | 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[6] | January 3, 1997 | |
Togiola Tulafono (b. 1947) |
Democratic | January 3, 1997[6] | 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. 1949) |
Independent | January 3, 2013 | January 3, 2021 | |
Democratic | ||||
Salo Ale (b. ?) |
Democratic | January 3, 2021 | Incumbent |