1977 American Samoan gubernatorial election
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8 November 1977
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Gubernatorial elections were held in American Samoa on 8 November 1977, with a run-off between the top two candidates on 22 November. Peter Tali Coleman was elected with 56% of the vote in the second round.[1]
This election was the first gubernatorial election ever to be held in American Sāmoa. It featured multiple two-person tickets for governor and lieutenant governor. The leading slates were Peter Coleman–Tufele Liʻamatua; A. P. Lutali–Fofo I. F. Sunia; and A. U. Fuimaono–Lutu Tenari. Because victory required an absolute majority, Coleman’s first-round plurality (40.2%) triggered a runoff, which he won. He assumed office on January 3, 1978, as the territory’s first elected governor.[2]
Candidates
[edit]Former appointed governor Peter Tali Coleman ran with Tufele Liamatua as his running mate for lieutenant governor. The territory's delegate at-large A. P. Lutali ran with Fofō Iosefa Fiti Sunia, a Senator. Former delegate at-large A. U. Fuimaono ran alongside Senator Lutu T. S. Fuimaono.[3]
Results
[edit]| Candidate | First round | Second round | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | |
| Peter Tali Coleman | 2,358 | 40.26 | 3,326 | 55.87 |
| A. P. Lutali | 1,270 | 21.68 | 2,627 | 44.13 |
| A. U. Fuimaono | 955 | 16.31 | ||
| Galeai Poumele | 833 | 14.22 | ||
| Leiato Tuli | 387 | 6.61 | ||
| Luis Lagarejos | 54 | 0.92 | ||
| Total | 5,857 | 100.00 | 5,953 | 100.00 |
| Source: Pacific Islands Monthly | ||||
References
[edit]- ^ Coleman Wins Election Highlights, 1 December 1977, p4
- ^ Shaffer, Robert J. (2000). American Samoa: 100 Years Under the United States Flag. Island Heritage. Page 194. ISBN 978-0-89610-339-9
- ^ The line-up for top job in American Samoa Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1977, p10
