President Joe Biden swept this year’s Democratic primaries… until Super Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Biden lost American Samoa, a U.S. territory with a population of 45,000. Unknown candidate Jason Palmer won the territory’s caucus instead.
Out of the 91 total votes cast, Palmer received 51 and Biden received 40, according to local party officials.
Palmer — a 52-year-old resident of Baltimore, Maryland — expressed his shock upon learning of his win through a flurry of congratulatory texts from friends and campaign staff.
Despite never having visited American Samoa before the caucus, Palmer utilized remote campaigning techniques to connect with voters.
“I have been campaigning remotely, doing Zoom town halls, talking to people, listening to them about their concerns and what matters to them,” Palmer said according to the Associated Press.
The unexpected outcome won’t significantly impact Biden’s path to the Democratic nomination, as only six delegates were at stake in American Samoa. Palmer and Biden each earned three delegates from the contest.
In a tweet the day before the caucus, Palmer argued, “Washington D.C. is long overdue for a president who will be an advocate for American Samoa.”
His social media presence featured images of young supporters holding handmade campaign signs.
Palmer’s background includes working for various businesses and nonprofits, often focusing on technology and education issues. He believes voters are seeking “someone who is more of the 21st century than Joe Biden” to lead the country.
Campaign finance records reveal that Palmer has personally loaned his campaign over $500,000.
“You can’t take the money with you when you die,” Palmer reportedly said, when asked about the investment. “But you can change the world while you’re here.”
It’s worth noting that while residents of U.S. territories can participate in primary elections, they do not have representation in the Electoral College, which ultimately decides the presidency.
American Samoa has a history of surprising primary results. In the 2020 Democratic race, the territory voted for Michael Bloomberg, giving him his only first-place finish that year.
Palmer’s unexpected triumph over Biden in American Samoa adds a twist to the Super Tuesday narrative, even if it’s unlikely to alter the overall trajectory of the Democratic nomination process. It serves as a reminder that even in the most remote corners of the United States, every vote matters, and underdog candidates can sometimes pull off surprising victories.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.