An American Samoan candidate for the US House of Representatives, Aumua Amata Coleman, says the territory's inclusion under a federal wage law works against the principles of self-government.
The minimum wage is being raised across US territories although low pay industries are opposed to the wage hike, saying they will be forced out of business.
Aumua has pledged to ward off the federalisation of the territory if elected as the territory's delegate to Congress.
"This is just one example of how Washington is attempting to exercise more authority and control over our daily lives. In order to combat this trend, I believe our representation in Washington must take a different approach."
Aumua Amata Coleman.
