Colorado and Maine Remove Trump from Primary Ballots Amid Legal Challenges
Former President Donald Trump has been excluded from presidential primary ballots in Colorado and Maine following a series of legal challenges aimed at disqualifying his candidacy for the 2024 election.
Morgan Riley
- 2024-01-08
- Updated 06:03 AM ET
(NewsNibs) - Two advocacy groups, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and Free Speech for People, have championed the legal strategies leading to Trump's removal from the ballots. These organizations predominantly rely on funding from liberal donors, notably including George Soros and Craig Newmark. Leveraging the 14th Amendment's "insurrection" clause, the groups have collectively raised millions to support their cause, influencing the upcoming 2024 election. In 2022, CREW and Free Speech for People reported revenues of $6.4 million and $3.7 million, respectively.
Supreme Court to Hear Colorado Case
The United States Supreme Court has consented to hear the Colorado case on an expedited basis, with oral arguments slated for February 8. The legal groundwork for this challenge was meticulously laid by lawyers including Mario Nicolais, Martha Tierney, and the Olson Rimsley firm. Plaintiffs in Colorado included both Republicans and unaffiliated voters. This carefully planned legal approach in Colorado inspired the secretary of state in Maine to similarly remove Trump from the primary ballot. Further, a previous case that led to the disqualification of a local official for involvement in the January 6th Capitol riots provided CREW with a legal precedent for their actions against Trump.
Legal Battle Expands Nationwide
Legal challenges aiming to disqualify Trump from ballots have extended to states like Oregon, Minnesota, and Michigan—although suits in Minnesota and Michigan have been dismissed on procedural grounds. Nonetheless, new legal filings have emerged in Illinois and Massachusetts, initiated by Free Speech for People. Both CREW and Free Speech for People have underscored that they do not collaborate on strategy, though CREW has filed amicus briefs in support of Free Speech for People regarding constitutional questions. Additionally, other contenders such as GOP presidential hopeful John Anthony Castro pursue separate legal efforts to disqualify Trump from the ballot.
Election Integrity Versus Turmoil
Despite substantial funding from liberal sources, CREW and Free Speech for People assert their nonpartisanship, maintaining they do not endorse any political party. The contributors backing Free Speech for People include the Newmark, Tides Foundation, and Arkay Foundation, while CREW's backers involve the Foundation to Promote Open Society, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, and Marisla Foundation. There is growing concern that the ongoing legal disputes initiated by these advocacy groups may incite uncertainty and turmoil in the forthcoming election cycle.
