President Biden has won the Democratic presidential caucuses in Guam, concluding a five-month long presidential nominating season that included over 100 primaries and caucuses. The chair of the Democratic Party of Guam expressed excitement in sending a delegation to the DNC Convention in full support of President Biden and Vice President Harris. Biden and former President Trump secured their nominations nearly three months ago after dominating the Super Tuesday contests. While the drama in the nominating contests had vanished long ago, recent primary and caucus results pointed to potential issues for both candidates as they tried to secure their base voters for the general election.
Former U.N. ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who was Trump’s final rival for the nomination, suspended her campaign in early March. Despite this, she continued to receive up to 20% of the vote in some Republican presidential primaries even though she was essentially a zombie candidate. On the Democratic side, some voters used the “uncommitted” option on the ballot as a protest vote against President Biden’s support for Israel during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. These actions showcased potential challenges for both candidates in solidifying their support base heading into the general election.
The caucuses in Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands marked the end of the 2024 presidential nominating season, with the results confirming President Biden as the Democratic nominee. The chair of the Democratic Party of Guam emphasized the need for leadership that prioritizes investing in people, improving infrastructure, promoting sustainability and protecting women’s rights. Both Biden and Trump had secured their nominations months earlier, but recent primary and caucus results highlighted areas of concern as they prepared for the general election.
Despite facing little competition in the nominating contests, both Biden and Trump encountered challenges in maintaining support from their base voters. Nikki Haley, Trump’s final rival, continued to receive a significant portion of the vote in some Republican primaries even after suspending her campaign. On the Democratic side, protests against Biden’s stance on the conflict between Israel and Hamas were reflected in the use of the “uncommitted” option on the ballot. These developments underscored the need for both candidates to address potential weaknesses in their support base as they looked ahead to the general election.
Overall, the Guam caucuses concluded a lengthy and eventful presidential nominating season, with President Biden emerging as the Democratic nominee. Despite the absence of major drama in the contest, recent primary and caucus results highlighted areas of concern for both Biden and Trump in securing their base voters. As the focus shifted towards the general election, both candidates needed to address these challenges and work towards solidifying their support base for the upcoming campaign. The conclusion of the nominating season marked the beginning of a new phase in the presidential election process, with both candidates preparing to face off in what promised to be a closely contested race for the White House.
