Maine House Democrat disagrees with state’s exclusion of Trump from ballot
A House Democrat from Maine Breaks with State’s Decision to Disqualify Trump from 2024 Primary Ballot
Representative Jared Golden (D-ME) has taken a stand against his own state’s ruling to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the 2024 primary ballot. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, deemed Trump’s primary petition “invalid” due to his alleged violation of the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause in relation to the U.S. Capitol breach on January 6, 2021.
In a statement, Golden expressed his objection, stating, “I voted to impeach Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th insurrection. I do not believe he should be re-elected as President of the United States. 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.”
My statement on the Maine Secretary of State’s ruling: pic.twitter.com/ByO3XJe1JS
— Congressman Jared Golden (@RepGolden) December 29, 2023
Golden represents a congressional district that has previously supported Trump in the past two presidential elections. Despite facing numerous criminal and civil cases, including allegations of unlawfully plotting to overturn the 2020 election, Trump is seeking another term in the White House next year.
On the other hand, Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) seemed to support the decision to disqualify Trump from the ballot. She stated, “The text of the Fourteenth Amendment is clear. No person who engaged in an insurrection against the government can ever again serve in elected office. Our Constitution is the very bedrock of America and our laws, and it appears Trump’s actions are prohibited by the Constitution.”
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Bellows made her decision shortly after Colorado allowed Trump to appear on its primary ballot, following a GOP petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump’s lawyers had requested Bellows to recuse herself, citing concerns of bias due to her social media posts, but their request was denied.
Trump’s campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, stated, “We will quickly file a legal objection in state court to prevent this atrocious decision in Maine from taking effect, and President Trump will never stop fighting to Make America Great Again.”
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) also criticized the decision, stating, “Maine voters should decide who wins the election – not a Secretary of State chosen by the Legislature. The Secretary of State’s decision would deny thousands of Mainers the opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choice, and it should be overturned.”
How does Representative Golden’s decision to oppose disqualification align with his commitment to the principle of due process and the presumption of innocence?
In a surprising move, Representative Jared Golden, a Democrat from Maine, has taken a stand against his own state’s decision to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the 2024 primary ballot. The decision was made by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, also a Democrat, who deemed Trump’s primary petition “invalid” due to his alleged violation of the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause in relation to the U.S. Capitol breach on January 6, 2021.
In a carefully worded statement, Golden expressed his objection to the disqualification. He acknowledged that he voted to impeach Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th insurrection and personally believes that Trump should not be re-elected as President of the United States. However, he emphasized that as a nation of laws, Trump should be allowed on the ballot until he is actually found guilty of the crime of insurrection.
Golden’s statement comes amidst a divisive political climate and highlights the tension within the Democratic Party regarding Trump’s future political aspirations. While many Democrats, including Golden, strongly condemn Trump’s actions leading up to and on January 6th, Golden’s decision to oppose disqualification is rooted in his commitment to the principle of due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
By breaking with his state’s decision, Golden is making a statement about the importance of preserving democratic norms and upholding the integrity of the electoral process. He believes that disqualifying a candidate based on allegations, rather than established facts, sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the trust and confidence in the electoral system.
Furthermore, Golden’s decision speaks to a larger conversation within the Democratic Party about how to address the Trump era and hold the former president accountable for his actions. While there is a consensus among Democrats about the need to address the events of January 6th and prevent any further threats to democracy, there are differing opinions on the most effective and appropriate ways to do so.
Some argue that disqualifying Trump from future elections, despite the lack of a conviction, is a necessary step to protect democracy and prevent any potential reemergence of authoritarianism. Others, like Golden, believe that the due process of law should be followed, and individuals should only be disqualified after a fair and impartial trial.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the question of Trump’s eligibility and potential disqualification will likely continue to be a subject of debate and division within both the Democratic and Republican parties. Golden’s decision to break with his state’s ruling highlights the complexities and nuances of this issue and underscores the importance of upholding democratic principles in the face of political polarization.
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