By Corinne Murdock |
Democratic presidential candidate Jason Palmer, surprise winner of the American Samoa Democratic caucus, received the endorsement of three of his opponents ahead of Arizona’s primary election on Tuesday.
Democratic presidential candidates Gabriel Cornejo of Nevada, Frankie Lozada of New York, and Stephen Lyons of Maryland endorsed Palmer. The four men debated last month with Free & Equal Elections.
President Joe Biden’s loss of the territory marked the first time an incumbent president lost a nominating contest since 1980. Biden also lost the territory his first time around in 2020 against former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
In a response to his win, Palmer assessed that Americans desire younger leadership, and that Biden’s 50 years in government weighed too heavily on voters.
The Marylander credited his use of AI for his victory with the American Samoa caucus in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. Palmer used an interactive AI that answered voters with Palmer’s policy and experience through text and email. Palmer also launched an AI chat avatar, “PalmerAI,” that responds in his voice and mimics his movements when answering questions on his policy stances in real time. The presidential candidate says the AI avatar cost about $25,000 to implement.
Palmer also rolled out a plan to solve the border crisis on Monday. His plan calls for a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and extension of DACA; a modernization of the border using digital technologies such as rocket dockets to expedite processing; reforming asylum processing and eliminating parole; implementing merit-based pathways to green cards and citizenship, implementing a points system; ending catch and release of illegal immigrants; adding over 1,000 more immigration judges to address the backlog of asylum cases; creating a guest worker program for migrants not eligible for asylum but have willing American sponsors; prioritizing global talent acquisition to improve the workforce; and eliminating caps placed on immigration from certain countries.
“Less than 10 percent of illegal border crossers are legitimate asylees,” read Palmer’s plan. “The other 90 percent should be efficiently processed to determine if they are eligible for guest worker visas, but the majority should immediately be returned to their home country or third countries where the United States establishes special asylum partnerships.”
Palmer has previously held executive roles with Microsoft, Kaplan Education, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and New Markets Venture Partners.
Palmer’s announcement ahead of the Tuesday primary occurred alongside another development: the White House announced that President Joe Biden would arrive in Phoenix late Tuesday, where he’s scheduled to make remarks on his Investing in America agenda.
Though Palmer is vying to unseat Biden, it doesn’t appear that Palmer entirely dislikes Biden’s leadership.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) said that Biden’s visit should focus on the border crisis.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
