In American Samoa’s race for delegate to the United States House of Representatives, the top choice in Pasquines’ October 2026 Elections Territorial Poll was none of the candidates. Among registered voters, 39.3% chose none of the above. Delegate Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R), who is seeking reelection, received 21.4%. Samana Semo Ve’ave’a received 20.7%, and Sandra King Young 18.7%.
American Samoa’s results come from the smallest sample of any territory in the poll and should be read with caution.
Ve’ave’a, a former director of the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security, died on October 19 while the poll was open. His name remained an option in the poll throughout. Five candidates remain on the November 3 ballot, and American Samoa’s elections are nonpartisan.
An incumbent’s voters look elsewhere
Radewagen has held the seat since 2015. In 2024, she won reelection with 74.8% of the vote, and in 2022 she ran unopposed.
In this poll, her own voters were divided. Among respondents who backed Radewagen in 2024, 33.3% said they would vote for her again, and 33.3% chose none of the above. The rest split evenly between Ve’ave’a and King Young.
Radewagen was viewed unfavorably by 68.0% of respondents and favorably by 21.4%. Ve’ave’a had the highest favorable rating of the delegate candidates asked about throughout the poll, at 52.0%. Fualaau Rosie Tago Lancaster and Meleagi Suitonu Chapman were each viewed unfavorably by 81.4% and favorably by 8.0%.
A split verdict on Government House
Governor Pula Nikolao Pula and Lieutenant Governor Pulu Ae Ae Jr. took office in January 2025, and their offices are not on the ballot again until 2028. Respondents judged them very differently. Pula was viewed unfavorably by 81.4% and favorably by 8.0%, while Pulu was viewed favorably by 61.4% and unfavorably by 38.7%.
On national figures, 50.0% of respondents viewed President Donald Trump (R) unfavorably and 31.4% favorably. In Pasquines’ 2024 poll, American Samoa was the only territory where the Trump-Vance ticket came out ahead. This year, the Republican Party was viewed unfavorably by 68.7% of respondents. The Democratic Party was nearly even, at 40.0% favorable and 41.4% unfavorable.
Little appetite for a status change
Asked for their preferred political status for American Samoa, 70.7% chose the current territorial status and 10.7% chose independence. Another 10.7% chose none of the above, and 8.0% were undecided.
A separate approval-voting question let respondents approve of more than one option. In it, 70.7% approved of the current status, 20.7% of independence with a free association pact, and 10.7% of statehood.
About the poll
The poll was open online from October 15 to October 28, 2026. Respondents came from Pasquines’ opt-in online panel, not a random sample. American Samoa’s results reflect ten registered voters. Each response was weighted by the respondent’s reported vote in the 2024 delegate race, the territory’s most recent general election, based on certified results. Favorability questions about King Young and Tuifagaloa Dr. Afu Lefaoseu III were added partway through the poll and are not included.
Polls will open from 6 am to 6 pm American Samoa time on November 3, 2026, with results expected soon after.
0 Comments