CNN
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President Joe Biden was handed his first defeat up to now within the Democratic presidential major by a person who only a few knew earlier than Tuesday evening: enterprise capitalist Jason Palmer.
The little-known candidate from Baltimore gained the American Samoa Democratic nominating contest. Whereas Palmer gained within the tiny US territory – the place fewer than 100 folks take part within the caucus – it is not going to sluggish Biden’s commanding march to the Democratic nomination after the president dominated Tremendous Tuesday races throughout the nation.
“Honored to announce my victory within the American Samoa presidential major. Thanks to the unimaginable group on your assist. This win is a testomony to the ability of our voices. Collectively, we are able to rebuild the American Dream and form a brighter future for all,” Palmer mentioned in a post on X.
A Palmer marketing campaign official informed CNN the candidate had three full time marketing campaign staffers on the bottom however didn’t go to the island himself, as a substitute showing just about at occasions.
Palmer informed CNN’s Laura Coates in an interview early Wednesday he was “stunned” by his Tuesday win.
“I’m simply proud to say my native group did a incredible job, and I feel our message actually resonated about specializing in schooling, well being care, and local weather change,” Palmer mentioned.
Whereas he lauded Biden for his “great service,” Palmer referred to as on the president to “go the torch to the following technology of Individuals” and mentioned he’ll proceed his presidential marketing campaign.
Palmer, who’s by no means held political workplace, launched his bold bid for the White Home in November. He’s at the moment a associate at New Markets Enterprise Companions, a enterprise capital agency, and beforehand labored on the Invoice and Melinda Gates Basis, Microsoft and Kaplan, in response to his LinkedIn profile.
The 52-year-old acknowledges on his marketing campaign web site that his candidacy is a longshot bid “with little or no likelihood of successful,” and claims his marketing campaign is extra targeted on “concepts, options and altering the dialog.” He’s operating within the Democratic major, he mentioned on the location, “as a result of (1) I’m a Democrat, and (2) we don’t wish to play a spoiler position on this election.”
“That is an important election of the twenty first century, and this can be very vital to maintain Trump from returning to workplace for a second time period,” he mentioned of former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination and Biden’s possible rival in November.
The Biden marketing campaign shrugged off projections exhibiting the president shedding American Samoa, with one marketing campaign official calling it “foolish information.”
Marketing campaign officers discovered themselves telling reporters Tuesday night {that a} very small variety of votes is anticipated in American Samoa, and declaring that Michael Bloomberg gained the Democratic race there in 2020.
Pressed for extra particulars, the Biden marketing campaign official mentioned Palmer had a “platform of being an advocate for American Samoa.”
In a video asserting his candidacy, Palmer vowed to be a champion for younger Individuals and touted his plan for a “expertise financial system powered by mission pushed entrepreneurs and aware capitalism.”
Final 12 months, he participated within the New Hampshire Institute of Politics’ “Lesser-Identified Candidate Discussion board,” showing as one among 18 Democratic presidential hopefuls who lack nationwide identify recognition.
This story has been up to date with further reporting.
CNN’s MJ Lee contributed to this report.