Unlikely Republican Comes To Trump’s Aid

Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine known for her moderate stance within the party, has expressed her disagreement with the recent decision in the state to exclude former President Donald Trump from the 2024 Republican primary ballot. This move was orchestrated by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, who argued that Trump’s actions on January 6 violated the constitution. One specific section disqualifies individuals from holding office if they engage in insurrection against the Constitution after taking an oath to uphold it.

Despite the absence of formal charges of insurrection against Trump and his consistent denial of responsibility for the events of January 6, Maine followed in the footsteps of Colorado, becoming the second state to remove Trump from the GOP primary ballots.

Senator Collins has voiced her concerns about the decision, emphasizing the importance of allowing Maine voters to determine the election outcome rather than having it influenced by a Secretary of State appointed by the Legislature. She argued that the ruling would deprive thousands of Mainers of the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidate and called for the decision to be overturned.

Senator Angus King, an Independent from Maine who caucuses with the Democrats, also criticized Bellows’ decision. It is noteworthy that Maine uniquely handles ballot eligibility challenges through the secretary of state rather than the court system. In response to the decision, Trump’s campaign has announced its intention to appeal to the state courts, mirroring the move made by the Colorado Republican Party, which appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court after Trump was barred from the state’s primary ballot.