by Andrew Walden

After weeks of media cover-up on the health of American Samoa Territorial Delegate Eni Faleomavaega, American Samoa news site Talanei.com yesterday suddenly ran an article revealing all the publicly available details of Faleomavaega’s health crisis which they had previously held back. 

The likely reason for the sudden reversal of the media blackout is buried at the bottom of the article:

The lack of information about Faleomavaega's condition has led to speculation that he is not in a very good state and questions have been raised as to whether he would be able to complete his current term.

KHJ News has been reliably informed that the Governor’s Office is making plans to ensure that the territory will have representation in Congress in the interim though details have yet to be confirmed.

Tuā’au Kereti Māta’utia Jr, currently the only announced candidate for Faleomavaega's seat, is an assistant senior policy adviser to the Governor.

Governors do not have the power to appoint US Representatives.  Will there be a Special Election for Congress in American Samoa?  Stay tuned.

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Samoa News: Tuā’au Kereti Māta’utia Jr. to run for Congress

Background: Succession Plan Quietly Underway for Faleomavaega Seat?