Governor-elect Pulaalii Nikolao Pula has joined the GOP after years as an independent.
KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports…
Pula joined Northern Mariana’s Governor-elect Arnold Palacios in joining the Republican Party, on the heels of President-elect Donald Trump’s big November win, and a GOP sweep of the House and Senate.
Pula’s new GOP label could give him greater influence with the new White House team and Congressional leaders.
Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata the most Senior RNC member, says American Samoa will “not get lost in the shuffle…”
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…while Amata points out that all three of the Pacific territories, for the first time are now represented in Congress by Republicans.
Amata says her job of ensuring the Trump White House “pays close attention to the needs of our islands” will be “greatly strengthened” with the newly minted GOP governors of American Samoa and the CNMI.
Governor-elect Pula, former longtime OIA Director and Congressional staffer was welcomed aboard by RNC Chair Michael Whatley.
Pula issued his own statement that President-elect Trump and the GOP are committed to reforming the federal government and growing the economy.
Pula said that will greatly benefit the local economy. He wrote that it’s clear to him the GOP values of “respect for God, Country and Family are Samoan values.”
