Incumbent President Joe Biden faced an unexpected setback as he lost the Democratic primary in American Samoa to little-known candidate Jason Palmer, marking the first time in 44 years that an incumbent president has suffered such a defeat.
Palmer’s Surprising Victory
Jason Palmer’s victory in the American Samoa primary, where he secured 51 out of 91 ballots cast, came as a surprise to many.
Successful Night for Biden
His win tarnished what was otherwise a successful night for Biden, who secured a series of primary victories across the United States.
Significance of the Loss
Biden’s loss in the primary to Palmer carries historical significance, as he becomes the first sitting president since Jimmy Carter in 1980 to lose a primary.
Carter’s Eventual Loss
While Carter managed to win the Democratic primary overall in 1980, he lost the election in a crushing defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan.
Delegate Allocation
Out of the six delegates at stake in the American Samoa primary, Palmer secured four, while Biden managed to secure only two.
American Samoa
American Samoa, a small U.S. territory in the South Pacific, played a pivotal role in Palmer’s victory. Despite its relatively small population, the territory’s primary results attracted attention due to the upset.
Palmer’s Campaign Financing
Campaign finance records reveal that Palmer loaned his presidential campaign over $500,000 of his funds despite being relatively unknown on the national stage.
Palmer’s Reaction
Following his victory, Palmer urged Biden to “pass the torch to the next generation of Americans” in an interview with CNN. He also claimed that the country is “sleepwalking into a Trump election.”
Focus on Young Voters
Palmer added: “… I’m running to energize young voters and also center-left, center-right people with a positive vision of what we can do in the next four years.”
Not Visited American Samoa
Palmer mentioned that he had not yet visited American Samoa physically, though he “did multiple virtual town halls and spoke with the nationals there.”
Trump’s Victory Celebration
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump and front-runner for the Republican GOP candidacy celebrated his string of victories on Super Tuesday.
Trump welcomed his wins, indicating the momentum within the Republican Party.
Biden’s Response
Biden took to social media to address the primary results, rallying supporters against what he described as Donald Trump’s extreme agenda.
He wrote on X: “Every generation of Americans will face a moment when it has to defend democracy. This is our fight.”
Democratic National Convention
The 2024 Democratic presidential candidate will be formally selected at the party’s National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, scheduled from August 19 to 22.
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