Who is Jason Palmer? Biden beaten by unknown in American Samoa Democratic caucus

As he wrestles with the challenges of the Democrat “uncommitted’ protest vote, Joe Biden faced a new opponent on Super Tuesday, and lost.

The president swept every Democratic contest in the early results, including taking Minnesota, the home state of nearest challenger Dean Phillips. But he didn’t reckon on the power of Jason Palmer in American Samoa.

Out of 91 ballots cast in the territory’s caucus, Palmer won 51 and Biden won 40, according to the local party, giving the previously unknown candidate from Baltimore four delegates to Biden’s two.

The outcome in the tiny collection of islands in the South Pacific with fewer than 50,000 residents is unlikely to derail Biden’s march toward his party’s nomination but sparked interest amid the more predictable results. Many greeted the news online with the question: who is Jason Palmer?

“I found out that I had won because my phone started blowing up with friends and campaign staffers texting me,” Palmer said in an interview with the Associated Press after the results were announced.

Palmer, a Maryland resident, said he’d never visited the territory before the caucus, but had been “campaigning remotely, doing Zoom town halls, talking to people, listening to them about their concerns and what matters to them”.

Honored to announce my victory in the American Samoa presidential primary. Thank you to the incredible community for your support. This win is a testament to the power of our voices. Together, we can rebuild the American Dream and shape a brighter future for all #VoteJasonPalmer pic.twitter.com/Txf771rhtI

Palmer qualified for the presidential ballot in 16 US states and territories and, at 52, has promoted himself as one of the youngest Democratic candidates.

On the day before the