Preliminary results from American Samoa's gubernatorial run off election show that the incumbents Governor Togiola Tulafono and Lt, Governor Faoa Ipulasi Sunia have been returned to power.
The Togiola pairing garnered 6,590 votes to 5,590 ballots for challengers Utu Abe Malae and Nua Mailo Saoluaga.
The incumbents led in nearly all of the 44 voting precincts by narrow margins but commanded a clear majority in the Eastern District villages were the governor is from.
Togiola had the support of Afoa Moega Lutu, who came third in the general elections on November 4.
Because none of the four teams received 50% of votes cast , a run off election was necessary between the top two teams.
This will be Togiola's final term in office because under local law he is barred from serving a third consevutive term.
Togiola was lt. governor from 1996 to 2003 and acceeded to the governor's chair when then Governor Tauese Sunia passed away.
Togila won his first election as governor in 2004.
The new administration will take office January 3, 2009.
