In the wake of the Colorado Supreme Court’s landmark decision to bar former President Donald Trump from its 2024 ballot, a political tremor is now being felt in California. The state’s Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis, in a proactive move, has urged California’s Secretary of State Shirley Weber to consider similar legal avenues.
Kounalakis, eyeing the governor’s office in 2026, referenced the pivotal ruling which found Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021, constituted insurrection, thus rendering him ineligible under the Fourteenth Amendment. Her correspondence dated December 20, underscores the urgency and gravity of ensuring adherence to constitutional mandates.
In her plea, Kounalakis impresses upon Secretary Weber the duty California holds to uphold democratic principles and the rule of law, suggesting that Trump’s disqualification in Colorado could set a legal precedent for California. She emphasizes the weight of the constitutional criteria for presidential candidates, which include the age requirement and, notably, a prohibition against those who have incited insurrection.
Kounalakis was quick to clarify that this request is not about partisan tactics but rather the defense of constitutional sanctity and democratic values. Despite an initial gaffe in stating the age requirement as 40 years old, later corrected to 35, her message remains adamant: this is a pivotal moment for democracy.
The 4-3 decision in Colorado, subject to appeal, has ignited a potent discourse on eligibility and the Fourteenth Amendment’s stipulations. While there’s a stay in effect until January 4, the national dialogue is intensifying.
As Trump’s eligibility for future office remains a question in courts across 13 states, including Texas, Nevada, and Wisconsin, the political landscape is braced for more seismic shifts. Kounalakis’s stance showcases the interplay of state and federal law and the ongoing scrutiny of the events of January 6 as they continue to shape the contours of American electoral politics.