
Thomas Saviello One of the Challengers under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution is A Republican, who Formerly Served in the Maine Senate. He resides in Wilton.

Maine’s Secretary of State Following Her Decision That Donald Trump Does Not Qualify to Run for Political Office in Maine Under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution.

Ethan Strimling, When he Was Mayor of Portland, is One of the Challengers in the Trump Ballot Access Issue.
Donald Trump’s Presidential primary petition is invalid announced Secretary of State Shenna Bellows just before 7:00 pm this evening in a press release. The controversial Republican primary is set for March 5, 2024.
Specifically, Secretary Bellows ruled that the declaration on his candidate consent form is false because he is not qualified to hold the office of President under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.
In her decision, Secretary Bellows said: “I conclude…that the record establishes that Mr. Trump, over the course of several months and culminating on January 6, 2021, used a false narrative of election fraud to inflame his supporters and direct them to the Capitol to prevent certification of the 2020 election and the peaceful transfer of power. I likewise conclude that Mr. Trump was aware of the likelihood for violence and at least initially supported its use given he had encouraged it with incendiary rhetoric and took no timely action to stop it.
“Mr. Trump’s occasional requests that rioters be peaceful and support law enforcement do not minimize his action. The weight of the evidence makes clear that Mr. T rump was aware of the tinder laid by his mult-month effort to delegitimize a democratic election and then chose to light a match.”
Secretary Bellows continued that she did not reach this decision lightly. “Democracy is sacred. I am mindful that no Secretary of State has ever deprived a presidential candidate of ballot access based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. I am also mindful, however, that no presidential candidate has ever before engaged in insurrection. The oath I swore to uphold the Constitution comes first above all, and my duty under Maine’s election laws, when presented with a Section 336 challenge is to ensure that candidaes who appear on the primary ballot are qualified for the office they seek.
“The events of January 6, 2021 were unprecedented and tragic. They were an attack not only upon the Capitol and government officials but also an attack on the rule of law. The evidence here demonstrates that they occurred at the behest of and with the knowledge and support of the outgoing President. The US Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundations of our government and Section 336 requires me to act in response.”
The Challengers or candidate may appeal this decision by commencing an action in the Superior Court within five (5) days of this date. Furthermore, Secretary Bellows has “suspended the effect of her decision ” until the Superior Court rules on any appeal, or the time to appeal has expired.
Following the release of the Secretary Bellows decision, petitioners Kimberley Rosen (R), Thomas Saviello (R) and Ethan Strimling (D) issued the following statement:
“We are pleased that Secretary of State Shenna Bellows stood on the side of democracy and our constitution in her decision to bar former President Donald Trump from Maine’s ballot. President Trump violated his Presidential oath when he attempted to block the peaceful transfer of power by inciting an insurrection on January 6, 2021. For that act as affirmed by the Colorado Supreme Court and Section 3, our constitution bars him from forever again holding office in the US.”
“Secretary Bellows showed great courage in her ruling. We look forward to helping her defend her judicious and correct decision in court. No elected official is above the law or our Constitution and today’s ruling re-affirms this most important of American priorities.”
(Kim Rosen and Tom Saviello are former State Senators and Representatives. Ethan Strimling is the former Mayor of Portland and is also a former State Senator).
For more background infomration on the subject, please visit post herein dated December 27, 2023.