Following the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to remove former President Donald Trump from the state’s GOP primary ballot, the Maine Wire contacted all 153 Maine state lawmakers individually to ask their opinions on the issue and its relation to a similar case to be decided in Maine.
While most Republicans were critical of the decision made by four unelected judges, Democrats by and large supported the move to prevent pro-Trump Coloradans from voting for their preferred candidate.
The four judges who supported removing Trump from the ballot did so because they believe he participated in an “insurrection”; however, Trump has never been convicted by the U.S. Senate or any court for charges related to insurrection.
[RELATED: Mike Sobeleski Intervenes to Defend Trump’s Right to Appear on the Maine Ballot….]
“Unfortunately, as many Mainers struggle to have power restored, Democrats are hard at work taking power away from the people,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor).
“Under cover of the Christmas holiday, bureaucrats are about to take away the public’s right to choose a candidate or the type of car they drive,” Rep. Faulkingham said. “Freedom is under siege on multiple fronts.”
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows will decide on former President Trump’s eligibility for Maine’s Ballot on Friday, following letters contesting his eligibility submitted by two former legislators and former socialist Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling.
Faulkingham and multiple other Republicans responded with harsh criticism of Colorado’s decision and disgust that a similar measure is being considered in Maine.
“The decision in Colorado is anathema to keeping a well functioning Republic going. Blocking people they don’t like from ballot access is nothing new for Democrats. They’ve been doing that since the days of Jim Crow in the reconstruction South,” said Rep. John Andrews (R-Paris)
“It’s ironic that those who say that Donald Trump is a threat to democracy are actually they themselves a threat to democracy by trying to keep him off,” said Assistant Republican Leader Rep. Amy Arata (R- New Gloucester)
Other Republicans, such as Rep. Danny Costain (R-Plymouth) and Larry Dunphy (R-Embden), expressed concerns that the recent Colorado decision represented a politicization of the judicial system.
They believe that the Colorado court’s decision ought to have been in the hands of voters, who should be free to vote for Trump or not without judicial interference.
“I think we’re politicizing our judiciary, and I think that’s a dangerous route,” said Rep. Dunphy.
Although most Republicans who responded to requests for comment expressed a strong support for Trump’s right to appear on the ballot, a few, such as Rep. Scott Cyrway (R-Albion), had no opinion on the issue.
One Republican, Rep. Joseph Galletta (R-Durham), even expressed trust in the justice of the Colorado court’s decision.
“I have to believe that the [Colorado] Supreme Court is following the letter of the law,” said Rep. Galletta.
Following calls and emails from Maine Wire reporters, the Maine GOP sent out an email press release supporting Trump’s right to appear on Maine’s ballot.
“Maine Law and the US Constitution define who is eligible to be on our ballot, not a failed liberal Mayor or a couple of disgruntled former legislators trying to get their names in the headlines,” said Executive Director of the Maine Republican Party Jason Savage.
Fewer Democrats responded to emails or calls, and most of those who did were reluctant to give a committed opinion on the issue.
Rep. Michael Brennan (D-Portland) said that he did not have enough specific information on the Colorado court decision to give an opinion.
“I haven’t been able to study the opinion in Colorado in great detail and I don’t know the situation in Colorado,” said Rep. Brennan.
Rep. Poppy Arford (D-Brunswick) said that she would provide the Maine Wire with comment, but failed to respond before the deadline.
Rep. Ron Russell (D-Verona Island) believed that the issue would ultimately be decided by the U.S Supreme Court, and that he did not have the legal knowledge to give an opinion.
Another Democrat, Rep. Valli Geiger (D-Rockland) answered a call from a Maine Wire reporter, but then refused to comment because she thinks that Maine Wire makes liberals look bad.
“Yeah, I think I don’t want to participate,”said Rep. Geiger “You don’t provide the context, so you’re trying to make us look really bad, so I’ll pass.”
One Democrat, Rep. Daniel Sayre (D-Kennebunk) responded to the Maine Wire with a detailed explanation of his support for Colorado’s decision, citing testimony from a former Judge and giving details on the court’s decision.
“Everyone who supports American democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law–whether they identify as left, right or center–should applaud the Colorado ruling,” said Rep. Sayre.
Another Democrat, Rep. Adam Lee (D-Auburn), was more skeptical of the Colorado ruling, despite his dislike of Trump.
“The best thing for our country would be if Republican voters soundly defeated the former President in the primary process, because it is incontrovertible that he engaged in insurrection in violation of the United States Constitution,” said Rep. Lee.
Trump has never been charged, let alone convicted, of any crime related to insurrection.
However, Lee believes that the January 6 protests at the Capitol did constitute an insurrection, but he is less certain that the court should have removed Trump from the ballot.
Lee would prefer that such consequential decisions be decided by voters.
Bellows was originally slated to decide on Trump’s eligibility for the ballot by 5pm on Friday, December 22.
On Thursday, she informed the Portland newspaper that she would delay the decision to the following week in order to allow for the involved parties to make new arguments in light of the Colorado ruling.
Rep. Marc Malon, D-Biddeford, an spokesperson for the Maine Democratic Party, shared his opinion on the Colorado ruling on X Tuesday.
“My opinion on the Colorado ruling is that we need to unite and work our butts off in support of our Democratic candidate to stop the far right from taking away our freedoms,” Rep. Malon wrote.
It’s unclear what “freedoms” Malon had in mind.
“The courts will do what they will do. We cannot control that,” he wrote. “We can control our own actions, and there are no shortcuts.”
In a follow-up post Wednesday, Malon attempted to clarify his position.
“The legal system is legitimate and that can and should play itself out – that is a consequence of his actions. But I am focused on campaigning to defeat him at the ballot box,” he said.
Edward Tomic and Justin DelMonico contributed to this story.
Maine GOP is so freaking spineless. They should be absolutely DESTROYING the Mills Administration & the Legislature right now. The memes write themselves w/ these Marxist losers. Majority of Mainers do NOT want their state to become a Socialist Distopia. Maine GOP, where are you?!
C.R. You are exactly right about the GOP. They’re not only spineless but useless both here and nationally.
Btw, Aren’t these the same Democrats who co-sponsored LD 1619, the FULL TERM abortion bill, which was signed into law by Comrade Mills?
Some Democrats may rejoice when Trump is removed as a choice. But the consequences of removal are unpredictable. Beware the slippery slope. Rejoicing may have to yield to more somber emotions when the consequences emerge. Texas is already discussing taking Biden’s name off the ballot due to the border crisis.
And look around here in Maine! I have lived in Maine all of my life – over 70 years – and it is changing into something unrecognizable. Something has infected this state – and I don’t mean Covid. Who in our own state is turning us into an asylum? And who are these lunatics – elected or unelected – that are leading us into a world that is NOT where we want to be? WRITE and CALL your state representatives. As soon as possible, VOTE these scoundrels OUT!
I loved the comment of Rep. Valli Geiger (D-Rockland). It reminded me of the late William F. Buckley Jr’s response when asked why no one with the surname Kennedy had ever appeared on his PBS “Firing Line” program: “Why does baloney reject the meat grinder?”
… just a couple of observations:
“A dog had his chain reduced one link at a time, every few days, until his chain was so short he could barely move. He never resisted because he was conditioned to the loss of his freedom slowly, over time.” (Unknown)
“”The most terrifying force of death, comes from the hands of Men who wanted to be left Alone. They try, so very hard, to mind their own business and provide for themselves and those they love. They resist every impulse to fight back, knowing the forced and permanent change of life that will come from it. They know, that the moment they fight back, their lives as they have lived them, are over. The moment the Men who wanted to be left alone are forced to fight back, it is a form of suicide. They are literally killing off who they used to be. Which is why, when forced to take up violence, these Men who wanted to be left alone, fight with unholy vengeance against those who murdered their former lives. They fight with raw hate, and a drive that cannot be fathomed by those who are merely play-acting at politics and terror, TRUE TERROR will arrive at these people’s door, and they will cry, scream, and beg for mercy… but it will fall upon the deaf ears of the Men who just wanted to be left alone.”
Soviet Dissident, Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Ive seen some history lessons posted here and there, the full context of which can easily be found online. In summary, 1860 Lincoln was left off the the ballots in some states. In1861 the Civil War commenced. Is history repeating itself? Perhaps it is, because no matter how hard you try the wall of common ground can not be breached.
The fascists are in power across much of the US. They will continue to shred our laws until they are stopped.
We have some very weak brained members of congress IF they can’t figure out that Trump was NOT convicted of leading an insurrection and furthermore in his speech he specifically stated to go the capital peacefully! This is the ultimate example of election tampering.
Why are some so afraid of Trump? They are telling me that Trump knows some thing about them they do not want me to Know.
Or they do not want to let the people VOTE on it . What are the hiding? Americans are known for given a second chance, maybe they are not American!
It should be obvious by now that the left will do anything they can, legal or illegal, to foul up the system if it keeps them in power. They are actively engaged in trying to secure voting rights for illegal aliens who broke our laws to get here! It’s bribery! Promise illegals support and they will vote for you, at least for a while. Meanwhile the system gets overloaded. Sanctuary cities–administered by leftists–are now on their own to pay their bills, which is just. The left does not understand economics. The left cares not for integrity. The word of a leftie is worthless. As a people we get what we deserve. We voted them in (although it’s true that many individuals do not deserve what we all are getting now). But many don’t want to wake up. We stay protective of our little lives and narrow points of view. WAKE UP!!! We are being taken over by stupid leftists who will use any means available to hold on to power. These dem-judges in Colorado are working for bureaucrats and government employees everywhere, not for you or for me!
What???? The Maine Wire makes Liberals look bad? That is funny. Anyone with more than two brain cells knows that it’s the Liberals that make Liberals look bad. LOL
Why isn’t the GOP suing the Mills administration for violations of our Constitution? How about that mandatory vaccine bill with no First Amendment rights to refuse? It’s Unconstitutional! Full term abortions- down right evil!
sandy on December 22, 2023 10:44 AM
“Or they do not want to let the people VOTE …”
Ding, Ding, Ding, We have a winner
Even though the election officials in my town know me well, I pledge from now on that I will display my real ID driver’s license to them, which I never have done before, because I believe the legitimate citizens of Maine, legally allowed to vote deserve it to be enshrined into law by our state legislators, during this session, that an ID must be presented before voting. and one can only vote in the town in which they are registered to vote. Clean up the elections and a lot of this politically- motivated nonsense will end.
C.R. White Sr and ME Infidel are you involved in your county of town GOP? You can help change things if you get involved and work to change. Complaining does nothing to improve anything. Local action National impact.