New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, despite his well-known criticism of former President Donald Trump within the Republican Party, is taking a backseat in a fledgling attempt to bar Trump from the presidential ballot in the state.
Attorney and influential Republican figure Bryant “Corky” Messner, who secured the 2020 Republican Senate nomination largely thanks to Trump’s backing, is exploring the possibility of filing a lawsuit if Trump seeks to have his name listed on New Hampshire’s primary ballot later this year.
Messner’s argument centers around Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which disqualifies those who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the U.S. from holding public office again.
Despite Sununu’s history of being openly skeptical about Trump’s chances of winning a general election, he is not actively participating in Messner’s campaign to keep Trump off the ballot.
A spokesperson for Sununu clarified that the governor is not making any effort to exclude any candidate from the ballot and expects that, as long as Trump adheres to the same rules as other candidates, there won’t be any issues with his ballot access.
Efforts to bar Trump from appearing on ballots have been discussed since he announced his third presidential bid. Recently, these efforts have gained traction due to legal developments, and some legal scholars and advocacy groups argue that Trump’s actions and recent indictments warrant his disqualification.
Messner, who supports the idea of having Trump’s eligibility debated in court and potentially decided by the Supreme Court, held discussions with New Hampshire Secretary of State Dave Scanlan. The Attorney General’s Office is currently reviewing the legal implications of the matter.
However, the New Hampshire GOP is at odds with Messner’s approach, expressing confidence that all candidates who meet the requirements will be included on the primary ballot. Another lawsuit, filed by presidential candidate John Anthony Castro, aims to prevent Trump from appearing on the primary ballot in New Hampshire.
Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson voiced his perspective, stating that he believes Trump is morally unfit for public office. Hutchinson noted that more people, including conservative legal scholars, are recognizing the significance of such disqualifications.
In response to these attempts, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign argued that the endeavor lacks a solid legal basis and is driven by political motives rather than genuine legal concerns.