Thurston County Superior Court Judge Mary Sue Wilson on Thursday ruled Trump should remain on the state’s election ballots
Brett Davis
The Center Square Washington
Voters in Washington state will see Donald Trump’s name on the March 12 primary ballot as a presidential candidate.
That’s because Thurston County Superior Court Judge Mary Sue Wilson on Thursday ruled Trump should remain on the state’s election ballots, rejecting a bid by a group of voters who contended the former president engaged in an insurrection for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, protest at the U.S. Capitol and was ineligible to be president.
“An order directing the secretary of state to take different action, an order from this court, is simply not supported by the statutes and not supported by the affidavit of the electors,” Wilson said in her ruling.
Wilson’s dismissal of the ballot challenge to Trump as a candidate followed a dismissal by a Kitsap County court on Tuesday.
“I am grateful that Judge Wilson ruled in such a timely and well-considered fashion, and that she recognized that I and my staff have been working in full compliance with state law governing the Presidential Primary,” Secretary Steve Hobbs said in a news release. “We will continue working with our partners in county elections offices to get all the necessary materials for this election to every Washington voter.”
Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, applauded the decision on social media.
“Some people will say this is about Trump, we say it’s about the democratic process,” Walsh, chair of the Washington State Republican Party, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “And a win for democracy today.”
The challenge is one of several across the nation arguing Trump should be kicked off the ballot.
The Colorado Supreme Court issued a decision to remove Trump from the ballot. Maine’s top election official removed Trump from the state’s 2024 ballot.
Trump appealed Colorado’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, which will take up the case next month. Maine’s case was appealed in the state’s Superior Court, and the justice assigned to the case issued a ruling Wednesday to defer judgment until the nation’s highest court weighs in.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- NBA vote clears way for expansion to Seattle
The NBA Board of Governors has voted to explore adding teams in Seattle and Las Vegas, moving Seattle closer than ever to hosting pro basketball again. - Opinion: The legislature has committed $2.4 billion to recurring pension increases since 2018
Six legislative COLAs have raised public employer costs by $2.38 billion since 2018, driving up unfunded pension liabilities and increasing burdens on county and city budgets. - Opinion: ‘Just because they got away with it doesn’t mean they weren’t wrong’
A Skamania County deputy’s report found violations of county rules and the Open Public Meetings Act, but no prosecutor acted on the findings. - More drama at Clark County Council in regard to its representatives on the C-TRAN Board
Councilors debated whether C-TRAN board representatives must follow group mandates, with Michelle Belkot refusing to commit to new voting rules and Glen Yung opposing her nomination. - Opinion: Small things grow great by concord
Washington’s initiative process gives citizens direct power to challenge lawmakers. Failed restrictions and new measures on girls’ sports, parental rights, and citizenship prove the influence of grassroots action. - Opinion: California’s $20 fast food minimum wage creates less jobs and lower income
Study data show California fast food workers now face fewer shifts, higher menu prices, and widespread automation after the $20 wage hike. - Gov. Ferguson signs law to undo WA estate tax increase enacted last year
Washington rolls back its estate tax hike, restoring previous rates and prompting uncertainty around $340 million in expected revenue for education.
wpDiscuz
