Williamson Is 1st Challenger To Biden In Dem Primary

Bestselling self-help author Marianne Williamson, who brought quirky spiritualism to the 2020 presidential race, has announced she’s running for president again, becoming the first major Democrat to challenge President Joe Biden for his party’s nomination in 2024, Will Weissert reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: Williamson says she plans to follow her Washington announcement with travel to states voting early in the Democratic primary.

Williamson, 70, is formally kicking off her campaign with an event in Washington on Saturday.

Without mentioning former President Donald Trump, she noted in a weekend Facebook post that his unconventional White House win makes it “odd for anyone to think they can know who can win the presidency.”

“I’m not putting myself through this again just to add to the conversation,” Williamson wrote.

“I’m running for president to help bring an aberrational chapter of our history to a close, and to help bring forth a new beginning.” Williamson running against a sitting president from her own party would be the longest of long shots under any circumstances.

But that’s especially true this cycle, as the Democratic establishment — and even potential presidential hopefuls who could have competed with Biden from the left or middle — has closed ranks with remarkable uniformity behind the president.

Williamson says she plans to follow her Washington announcement with travel to states voting early in the Democratic primary.

That includes New Hampshire, where she’s suggested she’d participate in the state’s primary if it defies Democratic National Committee rules and holds the nation’s first presidential nominating contest despite the party making South Carolina its leadoff state for 2024.

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