New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, who has been vocal in his criticisms of former President Donald Trump within the GOP, is notably absent from a recent endeavor seeking to bar Trump from the presidential ballot. Bryant “Corky” Messner, a prominent Republican figure who received substantial support from Trump during his 2020 Senate nomination bid, is contemplating legal action to challenge Trump’s eligibility based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This section disqualifies individuals who have participated in rebellion or insurrection against the United States from holding office.
Messner’s endeavor has taken a public stance in questioning Trump’s eligibility, pointing to the former president’s actions in relation to the 2020 election as potentially disqualifying. The legal push has gained momentum due to recent indictments against Trump related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Governor Sununu, despite aligning with Trump’s rivals and expressing skepticism about Trump’s electability in a general election, has refrained from actively engaging in Messner’s initiative to prevent Trump’s name from appearing on the primary ballot. A spokesperson for Sununu clarified that as long as Trump adheres to the same rules as other candidates, there should be no impediments to his ballot access for the primary.
Sununu’s position reflects the broader divisions within the Republican Party surrounding the role of former President Trump. While figures like Messner pursue legal means to challenge Trump’s eligibility, other segments of the party prioritize providing voters with a diverse array of candidates to choose from.
Despite Messner’s efforts, the New Hampshire GOP remains confident that all declared presidential candidates will ultimately be included on the primary ballot. The legal argument invoking Section 3 of the 14th Amendment has garnered support from certain legal scholars, though others within the Republican Party dismiss these endeavors as driven by political motivations.
In essence, the attempt to preclude Trump from the primary ballot highlights the ongoing internal debates and divisions within the Republican Party. The discussion revolves not only around Trump’s significance within the party but also the potential legal implications of his actions and their consequences for his political future.