The government of American Samoa

American Samoa

American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...

 consists of a locally elected governor, lieutenant governor and the American Samoa Fono

American Samoa Fono

The Legislature of American Samoa or Fono is the territorial legislature of American Samoa. Like most state and territorial legislatures of the United States, it is a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives and a Senate...

, which consists of an 18-member Senate

American Samoa Senate

The American Samoa Senate is the upper house of the American Samoa Fono. The Senate, like the lower House of Representatives, is a nonpartisan body. It is composed of 18 senators, serving a four-year term.-List of Senators:* Utu Abe Malae...

 and a 21-member House of Representatives

American Samoa House of Representatives

The American Samoa House of Representatives is the lower house of the American Samoa Fono. The House consists of 21 representatives serving two-year terms, with 20 popular elected members, and one representative elected by a public meeting on Swains Island....

. The first popular election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor took place in 1977. Candidates for the offices run together on a joint ticket.

The current Lieutenant Governor is Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia

Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia

Ipulasi Aitofele Toese Fiti Sunia is an American Samoan lawyer and politician. Sunia has served as the Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa since April 11, 2003.-Early life :...

, who has been in office since 2003.

Appointed Lieutenant Governors

• Frank Barnett
  Frank Barnett
  Frank Barnett was the 49th Governor of American Samoa from October 1, 1976 to May 27, 1977. Before becoming governor, he was a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent and a Tennessee attorney. He served as Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa for two years prior to his governorship...
  
   (Democrat, 1974–76)

Elected Lieutenant Governors

• Tufele Liamatua
  Tufele Liamatua
  Tufele Faatoia Liamatua, also spelled Tufele Li'amatua, was an American Samoan politician, businessman and paramount chief...
  
   (Republican, January 3, 1978 – January 3, 1985) — First elected Lt. Governor of American Samoa
• Eni Faleomavaega (Democrat, January 3, 1985 – January 2, 1989)
• Galea'i Peni Poumele
  Galea'i Peni Poumele
  Galea'i Peni Poumele was an American Samoan politician and traditional leader. Poumele served as the third elected Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa from 1989 to 1992....
  
   (Republican, January 2, 1989 – January 4, 1993) — Vacated in July 1992 due to Poumele's death in office. Possible successor?
• Tauese Sunia
  Tauese Sunia
  Tauese Tuailemafua Pita Fiti Sunia was the governor of American Samoa from 1997 until his death. He died during his second term, on March 26, 2003, while on a flight to Hawaii for medical treatment....
  
   (Democrat, January 4, 1993 – January 3, 1997)
• Togiola Tulafono
  Togiola Tulafono
  Togiola Talalelei A. Tulafono is the Governor of American Samoa. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He had previously served as Lieutenant Governor, taking this position on January 3, 1997....
  
   (Democrat, January 3, 1997 – March 26, 2003)
• Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia
  Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia
  Ipulasi Aitofele Toese Fiti Sunia is an American Samoan lawyer and politician. Sunia has served as the Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa since April 11, 2003.-Early life :...
  
  (Democrat, April 11, 2003 – present)