Marianne Williamson, self-help author and politician, has become the first Democrat to formally challenge President Joe Biden for the Democrat party’s presidential nomination for the United States’ 2024 election. Source: Wikimedia
Marianne Williamson, a self-help author once dubbed as “Oprah’s spiritual adviser”, has become the first Democrat to formally challenge President Joe Biden for the Democrat’s presidential nomination for the United States’ 2024 election.
“I, as of today, am a candidate for the office of president of the United States,” said Williamson at her campaign launch in Washington.
Williamson has a long history of backing progressive campaigns throughout her career, including HIV/AIDs charities and anti-poverty campaigns.
She co-founded the Global Renaissance Alliance, later The Peace Alliance, in 1998, a non-profit organisation that advocates for the creation of a US Department of Peace.
Williamson is also bestselling author and appeared frequently on Oprah Winfrey’s talkshow, leading her to be known as Oprah’s spiritual adviser.
In 2014, WIlliamson entered into US politics. She ran for the Democrat’s presidential nomination for the US 2020 election, polling high enough to enter into the first round of debates. However, her ‘quirky’ campaign was criticised for focusing too much on spiritual healing.
She told voters that she would “harness love for political purposes” against “dark psychic force” that then-president Donald Trump had brought up in America.
Marianne Williamson: “If you think any of this wonkiness is going to deal with this dark psychic force of the collectivized hatred that this president is bringing up in this country, then I’m afraid that the Democrats are going to see some very dark days.” pic.twitter.com/KrLWqdOvcK
— Axios (@axios) July 31, 2019
After her 2020 campaign failed to attract any significant support after the initial debates, she dropped out of the race and endorsed independent Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, who placed second after Biden.
Williamson’s announcement for her 2024 bid makes her the first notable democrat to primary Biden.
As the incumbent president, Biden is expected to seek re-election and has the unified backing of the Democrat party. As such, Williamson’s is expected to only provide token opposition to the current US president.
Marianne Williamson is planning to follow her campaign launch with a tour a several US states that will vote early in the Democrat’s primary process, including New Hampshire and South Carolina.
