American Samoa Democrats in support of Hillary Clinton

Transcript

The American Samoa Democratic Party has again come out in support of Hillary Clinton as its preferred candidate for the US presidential race.

In what's known as 'Super Tuesday', American Samoa joined 12 US states in voting for their preferred Democratic Presidential candidate, with a total of 237 people taking part.

Mrs Clinton received 162 votes, or 68 percent, followed by Bernie Sanders with 61 votes, or 25 percent and Roque 'Rocky' De la Fuentes with 14 votes or six percent.

Leilani Momoisea reports.

HILLARY CLINTON:  We support you in the caucus and I will support you.  Thank you very much.

That was Hillary Clinton speaking to Democratic Party members via skype, as voting began in American Samoa.  A Hillary Clinton supporter, Patrick Ti'a Reid, says Mrs Clinton is the most recognisable and experienced and qualified of the candidates.  In 2008 American Samoa voters backed Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama, and Mr Reid says generally, the Clinton brand resonates the most with local residents.

PATRICK TI'A REID:  She's actually visited American Samoa, and that's something that she mentioned, and Chelsea Clinton had recorded a little message for the island, and she's actually visited the island. It's not something that she's just talking about she's actually been here and she's actually spoken with members of the party. Yeah, people are comfortable with her and they feel like she truly cares and she's not just spewing political rhetoric.

Hillary Clinton had already secured four super delegates votes, including that of the governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, before voting had begun.  She gained an extra four delegate votes thanks to today's results.

BERNIE SANDERS:  People should not be 50 or 100,000 dollars in debt for getting a college education or for going to graduate school.  That's wrong.

Because delegate votes are given proportionately in the American Samoa delegate race,  Bernie Sanders picked up two votes, with one super delegate also pledging to support him.  Bernie Sanders American Samoan representative to the caucus, Don Hoffman, says Mr Sanders has really struck a chord with the younger voters.

DON HOFFMAN:  The older people in our party, they're more interested in traditional rather than issues. And I believe that the young people are much more interested in the issues. One of Bernie's issues is that he would like to have state education free for colleges, and of course our kids who are paying tuition like that idea.

The American Samoa Democratic Party provided free transport for voters and its chairman, Fagafaga Daniel Langkilde, says he's pleased with the strong turn out.

FAGAFAGA DANIEL LANGKILDE:  This is the only chance that we have to participate in the national elections for president of the United States. Given that opportunity it is very important for us to voice our choices and our issues that impact American Samoa. I don't think there's any change in the mood, but I think there's more participation. We're definitely seeing more people come out to participate in the caucus.

The American Samoan Republican Party will vote for its preferred presidential candidate on March 22.