California’s Democratic secretary of state REFUSES to remove Trump from the ballot as Maine counterpart disqualifies him over January 6
California's top election official released her list of approved candidates for party primaries Thursday evening, complete with former President Donald Trump's name.
It meant Democrat Shirley Weber shrugged off pressure from activists and some state officials to expel Trump on the grounds that he was guilty of “insurrection” for his actions in the lead-up to the 6 attack on Congress January.
She made her decision as the issue roiled other states and divided Democrats.
On Thursday evening, Maine followed Colorado in saying Trump was ineligible to run for office, although those rulings have been put on hold due to legal challenges.
In California, the state's lieutenant governor last week urged Weber to do the same.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber shrugged off pressure from activists and some state officials to expel Trump on the grounds that he had engaged in “insurrection.”
Activists across the country are trying to keep former President Donald Trump off the ballot
“I am prompted by the Colorado Supreme Court's recent ruling that former President Donald Trump is ineligible to appear on the state's ballot as a presidential candidate due to his role in inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 ', wrote Eleni Kounalakis. .
“This decision is about honoring the rule of law in our country and protecting the fundamental pillars of our democracy.”
Several senior Democrats added their voices to her demand, though Gov. Gavin Newsom said the question of whether Trump is fit for office should be left to voters.
California is the most populous state in the country.
While the electoral college votes will certainly go to the Democratic candidate in the presidential election, Trump's exclusion from the March 5 primaries could erode his lead over Republican rivals in the race for the nomination.
Ultimately, Weber placed his name on her certified list of candidates.
She did not provide any explanation for how she came to that decision.
Trump has been charged in a federal case as well as in Georgia for his role in overturning the 2020 election, but he has not been charged with insurrection in connection with the Jan. 6 attack.
He leads the polls by a wide margin in the race for the Republican nomination in 2024.
The latest DailyMail.com/JL Partners poll also shows him with a four-point lead over Biden in a 2024 contest.
Weber released her list of endorsed candidates for the March primary on Thursday
It included Donald Trump's name, after Maine and Colorado barred him
The issue of insurrection is a tricky one for Democrats, who fear any legal challenge would only strengthen Trump's position in the polls.
A ruling earlier this month by the Colorado Supreme Court barred Trump from voting there under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars those “engaged in insurrection” from holding office.
That ruling is on hold while higher courts review the question.
But that didn't stop Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, from following suit Thursday evening.
“I do not come to this conclusion lightly,” she wrote.
“Democracy is sacred… I am aware that no Secretary of State has ever denied a presidential candidate access to ballots under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment.
“However, I am also aware that no presidential candidate has ever been involved in an insurrection before.”
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows ruled Thursday that Donald Trump should be disqualified from the March primary.
She made her decision in response to state residents and a group of former Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
Trump's campaign immediately said it would appeal.
“Make no mistake: these partisan efforts to influence the election are a hostile attack on American democracy,” spokesman Steven Cheung said.
“Biden and the Democrats simply do not trust the American voter in free and fair elections and are now relying on the power of government institutions to protect their grip on power.”
And even some state Democrats were unhappy with her decision.
“I voted to impeach Donald Trump for his role in the January 6 insurrection,” said Democratic Rep. Jared Golden. “I don't believe he should be re-elected as president of the United States.”
“However, we are a nation of laws, so until he is actually found guilty of the crime of insurrection, he should be allowed on the ballot.”
The response illustrates how even many Democrats are uncomfortable using legal means to keep Trump out of power, rather than trusting the judgment of the electorate.