The race for delegates in American Samoa took an unexpected turn on Tuesday night, as President Biden initially appeared to have lost to a little-known opponent, Jason Palmer. However, a rounding error in the delegate count was quickly corrected, revealing that Biden had actually secured a tie with Palmer, winning three of the territory’s six delegates.
Palmer, an entrepreneur from Maryland, campaigned on a platform focused on improving the Samoan education system. Despite the error that cost him a clean win, his surprising vote tally highlighted the unpredictable nature of Democratic caucus results in American Samoa.
Campaigning on a platform of improved healthcare access, education resources, and climate change initiatives, Palmer connected with residents of the island territory through virtual town-hall events and local staff. At 52 years old, he emphasized his relative youth compared to Biden, positioning himself as a more energetic and active candidate who could defeat Donald Trump.
While acknowledging Biden’s likely nomination, Palmer remains committed to his campaign, focusing on issues such as immigration reform. His goal is to win enough delegates to prioritize education at the Democratic National Convention.
The corrected delegate count in American Samoa serves as a reminder of the unique dynamics at play in the Democratic primary race, where unexpected outcomes can occur even in the most remote corners of the country.
