The final question that the four female candidates aiming for American Samoa’s seat in the US Congress were asked at the ASCC Student Government Association forum last Thursday, concerned the territory’s political status.
They were asked: “What are your views on the current political status of American Samoa and do you support changes to the territory’s representation in Congress?
Incumbent Congresswoman Aumua Amata:
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Candidate Luisa Kuaea said there were rights that US citizens, like herself, are entitled to that US nationals born in American Samoa are not. She spoke about a friend who was a sea captain and qualified for a federal job, but because he was a US national he was ineligible for the position.
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Rosie Tago Lancaster said any change to the territory’s political status needs to be discussed locally, and there was already a system in place for those wanting to become US citizens to attain that status.
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Meleagi Suitonu Chapman also did not favor any change in the territory’s political status.
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