In a previous article, we wrote about the Michigan Supreme Court refusing to remove the Republican presidential candidate 2024 for Michigan and former President Donald Trump from the state primary ballot.
WMTW Portland reported on December 1, after the announcement of presidential candidates in 2024, Shenna Bellows, the Democrat secretary of state of Maine was prompted to decide whether Trump should be on the Maine ballot. Two challenges are based on the 14th Amendment, including those in Colorado and Michigan.
According to two petitions, Trump shouldn’t be allowed to run for president because he violated the U.S. Constitution by insurrections on Jan. 6, 2020.
According to a Portland law firm, Trump should be disqualified for claiming to have won the elections of 2020. The firm believes that Trump disqualifies himself because he claimed to have done so.
The Secretary of State’s Office has delayed deciding on Christmas, following the Colorado Supreme Court ruling that Donald Trump was excluded from the ballot due to Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. It was expected that the decision would be announced on December 22 ).
Benjamin Gaines represents Ethan Strimling, Kimberly Rosen, and other challengers. [… ]
Strimling Rosen, Saviello, and others cited Section 3 in their challenge to Trump’s presence on the Maine Primary ballot they filed earlier this month with Bellows. Bellows heard arguments from both Trump’s lawyers and those challenging him last week. [… ]
Bellows had been expected to rule on the challenges by the end of the day Friday but announced Wednesday that her decision would be made early next week.
A Bellows spokesperson stated that Colorado’s decision and technical difficulties in the Secretary of State’s Office were responsible for the delay.
Paul Gordon, from Portland, has added another petition to those who are challenging Trump’s inclusion on the ballot.
Gordon’s challenge, however, was slightly different. Gordon argued Trump was not eligible to be on the ballot because he claimed he had won the election for 2020, which would have been his second term.
Trump’s legal team has commented on Bellows’ social media comments about Trump and Jan. 6, 2021.
Former President Trump, citing statements made by the Maine Secretary on the Capitol Riot of Jan. 6, demanded that she recuse herself on Wednesday from making any decision regarding his 14th Amendment eligibility. [… ]
Trump’s lawyers sent Bellows, an ex-Trump adviser, a formal letter Wednesday, demanding that she be disqualified for the three tweets she made about the attack on Jan. 6. Bellows’ tweets, in which she called it an insurrection, were among those that Trump’s attorneys sent to Bellows on Wednesday.
The letter continues as follows:
The Challengers have used similar language in claiming that the events of January 6, 2021, constitute an insurrection and that Trump is a threat to Maine voters. As a result, the Secretary has already ruled on core claims made by the Challengers.
Bellows posted two of his posts on the incident at the U.S. Capitol: one to mark the anniversary and another the day that “Trump” was acquitted during his second impeachment trial. Bellows also shared some of his other posts.
One year after the violent insurrection, it’s important to do all we can to safeguard our elections. https://t.co/0MUZNUuuim
— Shenna Bellows (@shennabellows) January 7, 2022
The Jan 6 insurrection was an unlawful attempt to overthrow the results of a free and fair election. Today 57 Senators including King & Collins found Trump guilty. That’s short of impeachment but nevertheless an indictment. The insurrectionists failed, and democracy prevailed.
— Shenna Bellows (@shennabellows) February 13, 2021
If she is unable to be read, her posts were written on January 7, 2022.
One year after the violent uprising, it’s important to protect our election.
This date is February 13, 2021.
The Jan. 6 insurrection was an illegal attempt by the insurrectionists to overturn the results of a free and fair election. King & Collins were among 57 Senators who found Trump guilty today. While this is not an indictment, it’s a serious one.
According to a spokesperson for Bellows, the secretary won’t comment on the Trump Legal Team’s request that she recuse herself while the matter is pending.
Bellows is still deciding, we will let you know the next step.