After a surprising finish in Michigan, Democratic nominee for president Marianne Williamson announced she is unsuspending her campaign.
An author, spiritual teacher, and political activist known for her self-help books and teachings on spirituality, the longshot candidate finished third in the Michigan primary, which saw a large portion of Democrats, angry over his handling of the war in Gaza, vote against Joe Biden.
The Guardian provided details of her announcement.
“I am un-suspending my campaign for the presidency of the United States,” Williamson said, in a social media video the morning after a Michigan primary in which despite having suspended her campaign she finished third, way behind Biden and “uncommitted” but slightly ahead of the Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips, another rank outsider.
“I had suspended it because I was losing the horse race,” Williamson said, though she is still clearly losing the horse race. “But something so much more important than the horse race is at stake here. And we must respond.
“Right now we have a fascist standing at the door. Everybody’s all upset about it. Well, we should be upset about it. But we’re not going to defeat the fascist by, well, by what? What is President Biden offering? He says, ‘Let’s finish the job.’ Well, I hope you realise we’re talking about millions of voters [who] can’t even survive unless they work two or three jobs.”
Williamson, who also ran in 2020, had suspended her campaign on 7 February, after failing to make an impact in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.
#Unsuspended pic.twitter.com/7BEcIo3iij
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) February 28, 2024
Williamson gained attention for her unorthodox approach to policy discussions, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying societal issues and fostering a sense of collective responsibility. Her proposals included a Department of Peace, which would focus on conflict resolution and violence prevention, and a reparations plan for African Americans to address historical injustices.
While her campaign resonated with some voters who appreciated the emphasis on empathy and spiritual values, it also faced criticism for being idealistic and lacking concrete policy details. Williamson’s participation in the Democratic debates brought moments of both applause and skepticism, making her a memorable figure in a crowded field of candidates.
In 2024, she has worked to lead the anti-Israel protests that have come up to nip Biden’s campaign.
I have respect for the success of the Uncommitted campaign in Michigan. It was Arab and Muslim Americans making an important statement in support of the people of Gaza, making clear to President Biden he must change his policies vis a vis Israel in order to earn their support in…
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) February 29, 2024
