In a surprising turn of events, Jason Palmer, a Baltimore businessman, emerged victorious in the American Samoa Democratic caucus, beating out Joe Biden and securing three delegates. Despite only having six delegates in total, Palmer’s win denied Biden a clean sweep on Super Tuesday. The chairman of the American Samoa Democratic Party attributed Palmer’s success to his focus on local issues and investment in local organizers and digital advertising.
Palmer’s campaign manager revealed that they had one staffer on the ground who organized events like beach clean-ups, while Palmer himself connected with residents through Zoom town hall meetings. By highlighting issues like access to healthcare and climate change, Palmer resonated with the community and gained their support.
While American Samoa residents cannot vote in the general election, the caucus served to educate the youth on the political process. Looking ahead, Palmer plans to focus on Arizona’s primary election in July. This victory in American Samoa echoes a similar surprise win for Michael Bloomberg in the 2020 primaries.
The success of Palmer’s campaign underscores the importance of local engagement even in small territories like American Samoa. As the focus shifts to the Democratic National Convention in August, the territory’s delegation remains neutral but looks forward to supporting the party’s nominee. Through grassroots efforts and a dedication to local issues, Palmer’s campaign serves as a reminder of the power of effective community outreach in political campaigns.
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