Little-known entrepreneur Jason Palmer won American Samoa‘s 2024 Democratic caucuses for the majority of the territory’s six pledged delegates in a surprise win over President Joe Biden.
Several outlets called the race at roughly 10 p.m. Eastern time after the caucuses concluded, while Palmer had 56% of the vote to Biden’s 44%. Out of 91 ballots cast in the territory’s caucuses, Palmer won 51 and Biden won 40, according to the local party.
But who is he?
Palmer is a 52-year-old Baltimore, Maryland-based entrepreneur, impact investor, and philanthropist, according to his campaign website. He announced his 2024 Democratic presidential bid last November, contending that “the American Dream needs a serious upgrade.”
“I am entering the 2024 presidential race to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans,” he posted on social media. “Together, we can rebuild the American Dream.”
The Harvard Business School graduate previously worked in executive and leadership positions at Microsoft, Kaplan, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Days before he caused an upset in American Samoa, Palmer posted about how Washington, D.C., is “long overdue for a president who will be an advocate for American Samoa.”
“The Meet & Greet in Malaeimi was a perfect way to learn more about what locals need the most,” he wrote. “As a Democratic candidate on the ballot, I’m here for the fight.”
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American Samoa Democrats, who cannot vote in November’s general election, delivered a surprise last presidential cycle, too, when they awarded former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg four delegates and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, then a Democrat, the remaining two. Bloomberg spent $1 billion on his roughly three-month 2020 campaign, according to financial disclosure reports, but he only amassed 41 delegates.
American Samoa will host its Republican caucuses on Friday.