In a move that deviates from his home state’s decision, Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) has broken ranks to object to Maine’s disqualification of former President Donald Trump from the 2024 Republican primary ballot. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who is also a Democrat, declared Trump’s primary petition “invalid,” stating that he violated the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause based on his involvement in the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021.
Golden, who had previously voted to impeach Trump for his role in the insurrection, has expressed his belief that the former president should be allowed on the ballot until found guilty of the crime. “I do not believe he should be re-elected as President of the United States,” Golden said. “However, we are a nation of laws, therefore until he is actually found guilty of the crime of insurrection, he should be allowed on the ballot.”
Golden represents a congressional district that voted for Trump in the past two presidential elections. Despite facing a slew of criminal and civil cases, including accusations of unlawful plotting to overturn the 2020 election, Trump is actively seeking another term in the White House.
On the other hand, Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) seems to concur with Secretary Bellows’ ruling, citing the Fourteenth Amendment’s text as clear. “No person who engaged in an insurrection against the government can ever again serve in elected office,” said Pingree. “On January 6, 2021, Donald Trump incited a violent mob to block Congress from certifying the Electoral College and overturn the 2020 presidential election. Our Constitution is the very bedrock of America and our laws, and it appears Trump’s actions are prohibited by the Constitution.”
Secretary Bellows’ decision to invalidate Trump’s primary petition in Maine came shortly after the state of Colorado allowed him to appear on its primary ballot. The GOP petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court after its initial ruling disqualified Trump. However, Trump’s lawyers requested Bellows’ recusal, citing alleged bias against him in her previous social media posts, but the Secretary denied the request.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s eligibility for the 2024 Republican primary ballot continues to divide opinions among lawmakers and politicians, and the outcome remains uncertain. Despite the ongoing litigations, Trump’s bid to be re-elected as the President of the United States remains relentless.