Nua Mailo Saoluaga (born May 30, 1948) is an

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 Internationa ...

politician A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support, reject and create laws that govern the land and by an extension of its people. Broadly speaking ...

. He served as the

Speaker Speaker may refer to: Society and politics * Speaker (politics), the presiding officer in a legislative assembly * Public speaker, one who gives a speech or lecture * A person producing speech: the producer of a given utterance, especially: ** I ...

of the American Samoa House of Representatives from 1997 until 2002, and as a Senator from 2013 to 2021. Nua was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa in the 2008 gubernatorial elections, the running mate of

Utu Abe Malae Utu Abe Malae (died October 2, 2018) was an American Samoan politician, banker and businessman. A long-time leader of the American Samoa Power Authority, he served in the American Samoa Senate, and was a candidate for Governor of American Samoa ...

. Nua was a candidate for governor in the 2020 American Samoa gubernatorial election.

Early life and education

Nua was born and on the island of

Taʻū Taʻū is the largest island in the Manuʻa Islands and the easternmost volcanic island of the Samoan Islands. Taū is part of American Samoa. In the early 19th century, the island was sometimes called ''Opoun''. Taū is well known as the site ...

. He attended elementary school and

high school A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper seconda ...

. He first received an Associate of Arts degree from

MiraCosta College MiraCosta College is a public community college serving coastal North San Diego County in California with two campuses, one in eastern Oceanside and the other in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, and many satellite locations, including the Community Learnin ...

in Oceanside, California, in 1971. Nua further continued his education, obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in criminology and law enforcement in 1974 from California State University, Long Beach.

Career

Nua worked in several American Samoan government departments and agencies between 1975 and 1980.

Political career

Nua was first elected to the American Samoa House of Representatives in 1981. He would be elected to represent Manu'a District Number One in the House for much of the next two decades. He briefly left the House, but was re-elected again in 1985 and served continuously until 2002. Saoluaga served as the Speaker of the House from 1997 until 2001 during his tenure in office. He left office in 2001, but returned again to the American Samoa Fono from 2005 until 2006.

2008 Lt. Governor candidacy

, the former head of the Development Bank of American Samoa and gubernatorial candidate, chose Saoluaga as his running mate for lieutenant governor in the 2008 election for Governor of American Samoa. Malae and Saoluaga formally announced their candidacy for governor and lt. governor at the Maliu Mai Beach Resort on June 10, 2008. Malae cited Saoluaga's legislative career, which complimented his management experience, as the reason that the two decided to run as a team. Malae and Nua cited

education Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty ...

and healthcare as their top priorities in their

campaign Campaign or The Campaign may refer to: Types of campaigns * Campaign, in agriculture, the period during which sugar beets are harvested and processed *Advertising campaign, a series of advertisement messages that share a single idea and theme * Bl ...

. Malae and Saoluaga lost to Governor Tulafono in a gubernatorial runoff election held on November 18, 2008.

American Samoa Senate

Nua was elected to the

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. History American Samoa became a Unit ...

in 2012, representing the first

Manuʻa District The Manua District is one of the three primary administrative divisions of American Samoa. The district comprises the Manua Islands, which are located approximately 61 miles east of the main island, Tutuila. The Manua District is considered to ...

. He was re-elected in 2016. His re-election was subsequently challenged by local chiefs. The challenge was rejected in June 2017.

2020 gubernatorial election

In January 2019, Nua announced his candidacy for Governor of American Samoa. Nua's running mate is Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr., an educator and former member of the American Samoa House of Representatives.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saoluaga, Nua Mailo 1948 births American Samoa Republicans California State University, Long Beach alumni Living people Members of the American Samoa House of Representatives Speakers of the American Samoa House of Representatives American Samoa Senators