President Joe Biden is said to have lost the American Samoa Democratic caucuses to an unfamiliar candidate named Jason Palmer, marking a disappointing outcome on a night where the incumbent president effortlessly emerged victorious in the rest of Super Tuesday.
According to the Associated Press, Palmer emerged victorious in the territory’s caucuses, securing 51 out of the 91 votes cast. Biden, on the other hand, garnered 40 votes. As a result, Palmer is set to receive four delegates for the Democratic National Convention. This marks Biden’s first defeat in the ongoing 2024 Democratic primary and caucus season.
In 2020, despite spending a whopping $500 million on his campaign, billionaire Michael Bloomberg only managed to win over American Samoa. Democrats on the island have a tendency to go against the grain and defy the candidate of the moment.
The outcome won’t significantly hinder Biden’s chances. However, it highlights the persistent challenge of low-turnout caucuses for the Democratic Party’s leader.
On Tuesday night, Biden emerged victorious in the Iowa caucuses, triumphing in a mail-in caucus that closely resembled a primary. This marked a significant turnaround for Biden, who had previously faced defeat in Iowa during the 2008 and 2020 elections, failing to secure a top position in the state that traditionally served as the starting point for Democrats’ presidential campaigns.
