American Samoa Democratic Party Vaega Faaupufai Temokalasi o Amerika Sāmoa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chairman | Patrick Ti’a Reid |
| Vice Chairman | Petti Matila |
| Secretary | Renee Togafau Mata’utia |
| National Committeewoman | Sandra King-Young |
| National Committeeman | Andrew Berquist |
| Treasurer | Justin Tuiasosopo |
| Founder | A. P. Lutali[1] |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Headquarters | P.O. Box 1281,Pago Pago, AS 96799 |
| National affiliation | Democratic Party |
| Colors | Blue |
| Seat in theU.S. House of Representatives | 0 / 1 |
| Seats in theAmerican Samoa Senate | 1 / 18 |
| Seats in theAmerican Samoa House of Representatives | 0 / 20 |
| Election symbol | |
 | |
| Website | |
| asdems.com | |
American Samoa Democratic Party is theAmerican Samoa affiliate of theU.S. Democratic Party. It is based in the territorial capital ofPago Pago.[2]
The Democratic Party of American Samoa (DPAS) was established in 1976 as a response to the longstanding dominance of theAmerican Samoa Party (ASP), which had been the primary political force in the territory since its formation in 1946. The DPAS was created to offer an alternative political voice, particularly for those who felt underserved by the ASP's policies. The party's early leadership comprised community activists, traditional chiefs, and intellectuals who were committed to preserving theSamoan language,culture, and traditional practices.[3]
Initially, the DPAS garnered significant support from the younger generation, who were increasingly disillusioned with the status quo maintained by the ASP. This support translated into electoral success, and the party soon saw several of its leaders, including notable figures such asTuiasosopo Mariota Ta’ase and party founderA. P. Lutali, serve in key positions.[4]
The American Samoa Democratic Party became affiliated with theDemocratic National Committee (DNC) in 1984 and entered the arena of national party politics by now participating in the selection of the Democratic presidential candidate at the national conventions.
Today, the DPAS remains the dominant political party in American Samoa, with the smallerRepublican Party of American Samoa serving as its primary opposition. Both parties advocate for greater economic development,Americanization, and cultural preservation, but they diverge in their governance strategies. The DPAS continues to focus on preserving Samoan culture, language, and traditions while promoting self-determination and autonomy. The party's support base is strong among traditional chiefs, community activists, intellectuals, and the younger demographic. In contrast, the Republican Party of American Samoa draws its primary support from conservative religious groups and the business community.[5]
Election took place on October 22, 2020.[6]
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Ti’a Reid | Chairman |
| Petti Matila | Vice-chairwoman |
| Renee Togafau Mata’utia | Secretary |
| Justin Tuiasosopo | Treasurer |
| Andrew Berquist | National Committeeman |
| Sandra King-Young | National Committeewoman |
Biden unexpectedly lost the popular vote to lesser-known candidateJason Palmer,[7] making Biden the firstincumbentpresident to lose a contestedpresidential primary sinceJimmy Carter lost 12 primaries toTed Kennedy in1980.[8] Palmer had three campaign staffers on the island and held several virtual events prior to the caucuses. A Biden campaign official dismissed the loss as "silly news."[9] It was initially reported by the American Samoa Democratic Party that Palmer won four delegates, whileJoe Biden won two. The same day, the delegate count was corrected, with Palmer and Biden winning three delegates each.[10]
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage | Actual delegate count | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bound | Unbound | Total | |||
| Jason Palmer | 51 | 56.0% | 3 | ||
| Joe Biden (incumbent) | 40 | 44.0% | 3 | ||
| Dean Phillips | 0 | 0.0% | |||
| Total: | 91 | 100.00% | 6 | 6 | |
During the2020 presidential caucuses for American Samoa, which took place on March 3, 2020, almost half of the votes (49.86%) went to candidateMike Bloomberg,[12] 29.34% toTulsi Gabbard, 10.54% toBernie Sanders, 8.83% toJoe Biden, and 1.42% toElizabeth Warren.
| Candidate | Votes | % | Delegates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Bloomberg | 175 | 49.86 | 4 |
| Tulsi Gabbard | 103 | 29.34 | 2 |
| Bernie Sanders | 37 | 10.54 | |
| Joe Biden | 31 | 8.83 | |
| Elizabeth Warren | 5 | 1.42 | |
| Uncommitted | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Total | 351 | 100% | 6 |
Bloomberg dropped out of the race following the caucus, causing the party to reassess who would receive its support.[15]
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