By Pacific Island Times News Staff
President Joe Biden lost the Democratic presidential caucuses for American Samoa to an obscure candidate in a surprising Super Tuesday result.
Jason Palmer, an entrepreneur, leads with 56 percent of the vote, followed by Biden with 44 percent.
Being a U.S. territory, American Samoa doesn’t have electoral votes in the general election but it can send 11 delegates to the Democratic National Convention later this year. So far Palmer has won four delegates and Biden, two.
“Palmer has gained national prominence by qualifying for the presidential ballot in 16 U.S. states and territories,” according to a press release from Palmer’s campaign.
At 52, Palmer stands out as one of the youngest Democratic candidates on the ballot, offering a fresh perspective based on his experience as an entrepreneur and businessman, according to the campaign.
“His platform is based on people-first conscious capitalism, modernizing our federal government, and reigniting the faith of young people and independents who have lost confidence in America's institutions,” the campaign said in a press release.
Although he lost American Samoa, Biden was sweeping every Democratic contest on Super Tuesday.
“I found out that I had won because my phone started blowing up with friends and campaign staffers texting me,” Palmer said in an interview with the Associated Press.
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