10:45pm…With results of just the Nu’uuli polling place yet to come in the clear winners of the 2020 gubernatorial election are Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga and Talauega Eleasalo Ale. They polled 59.9% of the 12,665 votes counted pending the results from Nuuuli.
Gaoteoteote Palaie Tofau and Faiivae Alex Iuli Godinet garnered 22.2%, I’aulualo Faafetai Talia and Tapaau Dan Mageo Aga polled 12.6% and Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua and Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr. received 5.3%.
Before 9pm the Lemanu and Talauega camp headquarters at Savea’s guesthouse at Matuu was in a celebratory mood, even though results from large voting districts like Tuala-uta , Leone and Nu’uuli had not come in. Projections by the camp gave L&T more than 60% of the vote.
Meanwhile the Gaoteote and Faiivae camp was still holding out hope for a run off as the vote counting was still underway in those large districts.
The I’aulualo and Tapaau camp conceded defeat around 9:30 pm and prepared to congratulate the winning team.
It was a decisive victory for Lt Governor Lemanu and former Attorney General Talauega. The only polling place where they were outpolled by the Gaoteote/Fa’iivae team was Malaeloa Aitulagi, where they were behind by 10 votes.
In the congressional race Aumua Amata won by a landslide majority over challengers Dr. Oreta Tufaga Mapu Crichton and Meleagi Suitonu Chapman.
We hope to bring you full results of all the races in our 7am bulletin Wednesday.
