Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine has expressed a firm position, asserting that Trump should remain eligible for the ballot until proven guilty of insurrection. (Photo: The Boston Globe)
Rep. Jared Golden Asserts Trump’s Right to Be on Primary Ballot Until Guilty of Insurrection
Following the Maine secretary of state’s ruling to exclude former President Donald Trump from the primary ballot, Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine has expressed a firm position, asserting that Trump should remain eligible for the ballot until proven guilty of insurrection. Golden underlined the significance of adhering to the country’s laws and elucidated his standpoint, which aligns with his vote to impeach Trump for his role in the events of January 6th. Although Golden has voiced opposition to Trump’s potential re-election, he emphasized the need to maintain Trump’s candidacy on the ballot until a formal determination of guilt for insurrection is reached.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows asserted the falsity of Trump’s declaration regarding the qualifications for the office of the presidency, leading to the invalidation of Trump’s primary petition. Despite this, the impact of Bellows’ ruling has been suspended until the Superior Court rules on any appeal or the appeal time has expired. The Trump campaign plans to file a legal objection in state court to challenge this decision.
Additionally, GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine voiced her opposition to the decision, emphasizing the importance of the voters in deciding the election outcome. She expressed concerns that the decision would deny thousands of Mainers the opportunity to vote for their chosen candidate. In a similar vein, GOP Sen. Mike Lee of Utah highlighted the ineligibility of excluding Trump based on the Fourteenth Amendment, emphasizing that regardless of engaging in insurrection (which he contends Trump has not), Trump couldn’t be excluded.
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This development has sparked a contentious debate, underscoring the significance of the democratic process and the legal intricacies surrounding electoral eligibility.
Tensions have escalated in Maine following the dispute over Trump’s eligibility for the primary ballot, with various political figures taking firm stances on the matter. The ensuing legal battle and the underlying constitutional and electoral principles at stake have drawn widespread attention, eliciting diverse perspectives regarding the interpretation of the law and the rights of candidates in the electoral process.
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