Jason Palmer is a little-known Democratic presidential candidate who was the only American Samoa to win a surprising primary this year. His campaign ended on Wednesday..
Palmer, an education technology investor and former staffer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, already endorsed President Joe Biden’s reelection bid last month. However, at the time he withdrew from the race, citing discussions and negotiations with the Democratic National Committee and convention leaders to “determine our precise role in the convention and the drafting of the Democratic Party Platform.” The normal next step of doing so was not reached.
Palmer defeated Biden in American Samoa, the only state or territory Biden lost this year, and won three of the nearly 4,000 delegates to the Democratic convention. Palmer had never been to the area before winning the Super Tuesday contest, but said he has held four virtual campaign events there.
“You can never expect to beat a sitting president, but I love the people of American Samoa. They’ve been great to me this past month,” Palmer told NBC News after predicting victory. Ta.
At the time, Palmer told NBC News that Biden was withdrawing from the race to make way for the next generation of leaders, including himself, Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer, Colorado’s Jared Polis and Gavin. He said he wanted to see the names of several Democratic governors, including Newsom. of california. Palmer also said he believes he has a better chance of defeating former President Donald Trump in the fall.
Delegates have Mr. Palmer tied for third place in this field with Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, according to NBC News projections. Before resigning in March, Mr. Phillips spent more than $7 million on his primary challenge to Mr. Biden, according to federal campaign finance records. By the end of April, Mr. Palmer had spent less than $1 million.
Biden has received 3,526 delegates, far more than the 1,975 needed to win the nomination, leaving 27 delegates “uncommitted.”
Palmer’s last election as a candidate was in West Virginia on Tuesday, where he received more than 11% of the Democratic primary vote. Biden won the primary with over 70% of the vote.
Palmer plans to remain involved in politics, details first shared by his campaign with NBC News. In conjunction with TOGETHER!, a platform aimed at empowering independent-minded young Americans to raise money for their causes, businesses and campaigns, Palmer said: It said in a statement that it plans to support congressional candidates “committed to shaping the future of American democracy.”
He also said he would personally donate to 10 efforts to get reproductive rights on the ballot in 10 states.
Palmer said discussions are continuing about what to do at the tournament, adding that the team will attend the tournament.
