Amata Coleman Radewagen

Amata Coleman Radewagen, commonly known as Aumua Amata, is the non-voting delegate representing American Samoa in the United States House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party, she was first elected in 2014, succeeding longtime Democratic delegate Eni Faleomavaega. Radewagen's career includes extensive work in Washington, D.C. political offices and significant involvement in Pacific Islander community affairs.

Early life and education

Born in Pago Pago, she is the daughter of Peter Tali Coleman, the first popularly elected Governor of American Samoa. She attended The Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu before earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Guam. Radewagen later obtained a Master of Arts in public administration from Loyola University Chicago. Her early professional experience included work as a staffer for United States Senator J. Bennett Johnston of Louisiana and in the Reagan administration.

Political career

Prior to her election to Congress, Radewagen held various roles in Republican politics and Capitol Hill staffing. She served as a staff assistant for the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and was a special assistant for the White House Office of Political Affairs under President Ronald Reagan. She was also the National Committeewoman for the American Samoa Republican Party and worked as a consultant for the Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs. Her 2014 election victory marked a major partisan shift for the territory's House seat.

Electoral history

In the 2014 general election, she defeated the Democratic candidate, then-Lieutenant Governor Faoa Aitofele Sunia. She was re-elected in 2016, defeating Democrat Salu Hunkin-Finau. Subsequent re-elections followed in 2018 against Tuika Tuika, in 2020 against Oreta Crichton, and in 2022 against Democratic challenger Jonathan Fanene. Each race affirmed her strong support in the territory.

Political positions and committee assignments

Radewagen serves on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the House Committee on Natural Resources, where she is the vice ranking member of the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. Her legislative focus includes economic development for American Samoa, preserving Samoan cultural rights, and addressing the unique healthcare and infrastructure needs of Pacific insular areas. She has advocated for maintaining the federal minimum wage exemption for the territory's tuna canneries and for increased Medicaid funding.

Personal life

She is married to Fred Radewagen, a former United States Navy officer and consultant. They have three children. Her family maintains strong ties to both American Samoa and the Washington metropolitan area. Radewagen is a member of the Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa and is actively involved in organizations such as the National Conference of State Societies and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies. She holds the Samoan chief title "Aumua" from the village of Pago Pago.

Category:American politicians