Pula Nikolao Pula

Pulaali'i Tuiteleleapaga Iuli Nikolao Pula (born December 31, 1955) is an American Samoan politician who is currently serving as the ninth governor of American Samoa since 2025. He ran in the 2024 American Samoan gubernatorial election and defeated incumbent Lemanu Peleti Mauga in the runoff. He is the first Republican Governor of American Samoa since 1993. Previously, he had served from 1993 to 2022 in the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), being the OIA Director from 2002 to 2022.

Early life and education Pula was born in American Samoa. He is the youngest son of 12 children and his father was the first Samoan Director of Education. He grew up in the village of Utulei and attended Utulei elementary school. He was named the Director of the OIA in 2002 and became the first Samoan ever to hold the position. In the role, he served as the executive branch liaison with four of five U.S. territories and three freely associated states, being in charge of "general policies regarding insular affairs and oversight of Federal activities."

In March 2024, Pula announced his candidacy for the 2024 American Samoan gubernatorial election. He chose Pulu Ae Ae Jr. to be his running mate and faced incumbent Lemanu Peleti Mauga in the general election. In the election, Pula received 42.4% of the vote compared to Mauga's 36.2% (4,284 votes to 3,660), which set up a runoff election as neither candidate received a majority.

In December 2024, the Republican National Committee announced that Pula had joined the Republican Party, this made Pula the first Republican governor of America Samoa since Peter Tali Coleman who served in the position from 1978 to 1985, and 1989 to 1993.

Personal life Pula married Lois Ellen Pula, a professor of nursing at Georgetown University.

Votes % Votes % Pula Nikolao Pula Pulu Ae Ae Jr. 4,284 42.4% 5,846 59.8% Lemanu Peleti Mauga (incumbent) Laapui Talauega Eleasao Ale (incumbent) 3,660 36.2% 3,925 40.2% Vaitautolu Talia Iaulualo Maefau Dr Mary Taufetee 2,169 21.4%