Velega Savali

Velega Savali Savali Jr. (born January 11, 1943) is an American Samoan politician. Savali was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa in the American Samoan gubernatorial election in 2008. He served as the American Samoa Treasurer from 2005 until 2008, and a senator from 2009 to 2012.

Biography Personal life Savali is married to Leleiga Fa’atili Esera. The couple have three daughters - Lelatasi, Hope and Tasi - two sons, John and Savali III, and six grandchildren, Anthony, Lela, Walker, Dash, Reid and Maliyah.

Savali was granted the title of High Talking Chief of Velega by his family. Savali's family is originally from Ofu-Olosega in the Manu'a Islands.

He attended Ofu Elementary School from 1948 Savali sent a letter back to the Governor refusing to resign and challenging the governor to remove him from his cabinet office. He was subsequently fired by Governor Tulafono. Savali said in an interview that a termination letter was delivered to him in a public park. He stated that the Governor's poor assessment of the American Samoan finances was incorrect. Savali would have become the next Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa if elected on November 4, 2008, but the Lutu-Savali ticket lost to the incumbent Governor Togiola Tulafono in a run off.

Senator In January 2009 Savali joined the American Samoa Senate after a contested selection. In July 2010 he filed a lawsuit preventing the government spending money on a Samoan Heritage Week in Hawaii without the approval of the Fono.

He was subsequently appointed American Samoa's chief election officer, but resigned in May 2013.