Tuaolo Manaia Fruean (born March 1945)[1] is an American Samoan politician, judge, and civil servant. He has served in both the American Samoa House of Representatives and the American Samoa Senate, and as Commissioner of Public Safety in the Cabinet of Governor Togiola Tulafono. Since 2021 he has been President of the American Samoa Senate.
Before entering politics Tuaolo was an associate judge of the High Court of American Samoa.[2] He served as a member of the American Samoa House of Representatives for ten years,[3] before being elected to the American Samoa Senate in the 2000 elections and serving as a Senator from 2001 to 2008.[2] He served as president pro tempore of the Senate following the death of Senate President Lutu Tenari Fuimaono,[4] and was a candidate for Senate President after the 2004 elections.[5] He was not-elected in 2008, and was replaced as a Senator by Asuega Fa'amamata.[6]
In 2009, he was nominated as Commissioner of Public Safety in the Cabinet of Governor Togiola Tulafono.[7]
In July 2013, he was confirmed as American Samoa's Chief Election Officer.[8]
In June 2015, he was re-elected to the Senate, replacing Mauga Tasi Asuega who had been appointed Secretary of Samoan Affairs.[2] He was replaced as Election Commissioner by Lealofi Uiagalelei.[9][10] He was re-elected to the Senate in the 2016 election,[11] but was then nominated as Commissioner of Public Safety in the Cabinet of Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga.[12] He declined to accept the role, saying that he would prefer to remain as a Senator.[13]
He was re-elected as a Senator in 2020.[3] In January 2021, he was unanimously elected as President of the Senate.[14][15]
References
- ^ "Three senators celebrate their birthdays and close of session". Samoa News. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ a b c "Chief election officer in American Samoa returns to Senate". RNZ. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Tuaolo will return as senator for Ma'oputasi District in new Legislature". Samoa News. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "Funeral plans for American Samoa Senate president". RNZ. 27 September 2004. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "Close race in American Samoa for key positions". RNZ. 31 December 2004. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "Woman senator chosen in American Samoa". RNZ. 11 December 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "Former American Samoa senator proposed as new Police Commissioner". RNZ. 19 January 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "American Samoa's House of Representatives confirms election officer". RNZ. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "Election Commissioner to Be Confirmed in New Fono Session". Talanei. 5 January 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "Senate Confirms Uiagalelei as Election Commissioner". Talanei. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "Traditional leaders select Fano as one of three Maoputasi senators". Samoa News. 15 November 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "Mauga, Tuaolo, Talauega & Taimalelagi Named to Cabinet". Talanei. 30 December 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "Fruean declines American Samoa cabinet job". RNZ. 9 January 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "Tuaolo M Fruean and Savali T Ale lead Fono". Talanei. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "New Senate president highlights his goals for 37th Legislature". Samoa News. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2022.