American Samoa Democratic Party is the
American Samoa
American Samoa ( sm, Amerika Sāmoa, ; also ' or ') is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the island country of Samoa. Its location is centered on . It is east of the International ...
affiliate of the
U.S. Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. Founded in 1828, it was predominantly built by Martin Van Buren, who assembled a wide cadre of politicians in every state behind war hero Andrew ...
. It is based in the territorial capital of
Pago Pago
Pago Pago ( ; Samoan: )Harris, Ann G. and Esther Tuttle (2004). ''Geology of National Parks''. Kendall Hunt. Page 604. . is the territorial capital of American Samoa. It is in Maoputasi County on Tutuila, which is American Samoa's main island. ...
.
History
The Democratic Party of American Samoa (DPAS) was established in 1976 as a response to the longstanding dominance of the
American 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 the
Samoan language
Samoan ( or ; ) is a Polynesian language spoken by Samoans of the Samoan Islands. Administratively, the islands are split between the sovereign country of Samoa and the United States territory of American Samoa. It is an official language, alon ...
,
culture
Culture () is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups.Tyl ...
, and traditional practices.
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 as
Tuiasosopo Mariota Ta’ase and party founder
A. P. Lutali
Aifili Paulo Lauvao (December 24, 1919 – August 1, 2002), was twice governor of American Samoa (1985–1989, 1993–1997). The founder of the U.S territory's Democratic Party, he had a long career in the legislature and the judiciary in Amer ...
, serve in key positions.
The American Samoa Democratic Party became affiliated with the
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is the governing body of the United States Democratic Party. The committee coordinates strategy to support Democratic Party candidates throughout the country for local, state, and national office, as well a ...
(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 smaller
Republican Party of American Samoa
Republican Party of American Samoa is the affiliate of the U.S. Republican Party in American Samoa. It is based in the territorial capital of Pago Pago.
The party was founded by Peter Tali Coleman. Coleman was in 1956 the first Samoan to be ap ...
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.
Party officials
Election took place on October 22, 2020.
2020 Democratic presidential caucuses
During the
2020 presidential caucuses for American Samoa, which took place on March 3, 2020, almost half of the votes (49.86%) went to candidate
Mike Bloomberg, 29.34% to
Tulsi Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard (; born April 12, 1981) is an American politician, United States Army Reserve officer and political commentator who served as the U.S. representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021. Gabbard was the firs ...
, 10.54% to
Bernie Sanders
Bernard Sanders (born September8, 1941) is an American politician who has served as the junior United States senator from Vermont since 2007. He was the U.S. representative for the state's at-large congressional district from 1991 to 2007 ...
, 8.83% to
Joe Biden, and 1.42% to
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Ann Warren ( née Herring; born June 22, 1949) is an American politician and former law professor who is the senior United States senator from Massachusetts, serving since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party and regarded as a ...
.
Bloomberg dropped out of the race following the caucus, causing the party to reassess who would receive its support.
See also
*
List of political parties in American Samoa
*
American Samoa Democrats
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
References
American Samoa
American Samoa ( sm, Amerika Sāmoa, ; also ' or ') is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the island country of Samoa. Its location is centered on . It is east of the International ...
Political parties in American Samoa
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