Former President Donald Trump is set to appear on California’s presidential primary ballot on March 5, despite facing legal challenges from state officials and other states regarding his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, as reported by The Hill on Friday, December 29, 2023.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber revealed the list of primary candidates on Thursday, which featured Trump among 12 other Republicans and 10 Democrats.
Weber’s decision follows a request from Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis to explore legal avenues for Trump’s removal from the ballot, citing the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the U.S. from holding office.
More Read
Kounalakis urged this action following the Colorado Supreme Court’s recent ruling deeming Trump ineligible for their state’s ballot due to inciting insurrection through false election fraud claims, prompting his supporters to storm the Capitol. The Colorado decision is pending review by the U.S. Supreme Court, at Trump’s request for intervention.
Responding to Kounalakis, Weber expressed shared “outrage” over the Capitol attack but highlighted the “complex legal issues” regarding Trump’s removal from the ballot. She noted her office’s involvement in multiple lawsuits on the matter and vowed to assess options, taking into account any U.S. Supreme Court actions.
Weber released the candidate list on Thursday without a statement, and inquiries to both Weber’s office and Kounalakis by The Hill for comment remain unanswered.
Trump’s inclusion on the ballot has stirred controversy among California Democrats, many of whom demand his exclusion or advocate for a boycott.
Governor Gavin Newsom labeled Trump a “threat to our liberties,” advocating for defeating him at the ballot rather than attempting to bar his candidacy, warning against potential political distractions or a slippery slope.
Nonetheless, Trump faces slim chances in California, a state that hasn’t voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988. In 2020, he lost by over 5 million votes to President Joe Biden, who is anticipated to secure an easy win in the primary.
Meanwhile, Maine made history as the first state to officially remove Trump from the ballot, citing the 14th Amendment. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows stated that Trump’s participation in the January 6 insurrection rendered him unfit for office based on facts and the law, hoping other states would follow suit.
As of now, Trump has not commented on the Maine ruling or the decision in California. Despite numerous court rejections of his election lawsuits and allegations, he continues to assert that the 2020 election was rigged and hints at a potential 2024 presidential run, maintaining a loyal support base.
