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:
- Letter: Interstate Bridge Replacement $13.6 billion estimate is too low!
Bob Ortblad argues the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $13.6 billion cost estimate understates the true expense, citing comparable projects, construction challenges, and engineering assumptions. - Opinion: ‘The drama and the waste of taxpayer money continues’
Rep. John Ley outlines his objections to the approved fixed-span I-5 Bridge design, citing cost concerns, engineering standards, funding uncertainty, and opposition to light rail and tolls. - Coast Guard approves fixed-span design for new Interstate Bridge
The U.S. Coast Guard has approved a fixed-span design for the new Interstate Bridge, clearing a major hurdle for the Interstate Bridge Replacement project. - Business Profile: Handel’s Ice Cream opens its first shop in Washington, in Vancouver
Handel’s Ice Cream has opened its first Washington location in east Vancouver, with a grand opening planned for Jan. 17. - Opinion: Why vote no on the Battle Ground School District levy?
Dick Rylander outlines why he believes voters should reject the Battle Ground School District levy, citing costs, enrollment trends, test results, and district spending priorities. - Letter: The multi-million dollar cash grab in Washington schools
Yacolt resident Mark Rose argues that rising superintendent salaries conflict with classroom cuts and repeated levy requests in Clark County school districts. - Discover your future at WSU Vancouver’s Preview Day, Jan. 24
WSU Vancouver will host a free Preview Day on Jan. 24, offering prospective students and families an inside look at campus life and academic opportunities.
Oh boy, I love democracy. Can’t wait for Warp Speed lock down part two! Maybe this time he can pack his staff with even more Goldman Sachs and big pharma creatures. Maybe he can find another excuse to put a murdering psychopath in charge of the Country instead of doing his job and making sure our liberties aren’t trampled on. Maybe he can make another excuse so his friends at Blackrock can print trillions more via the ‘Fed’ so we can finally put the nail in this coffin. He’ll be installed to run out the clock, so to speak. Meanwhile, he’ll make sure we get “the biometric surveillance system we so desperately need.” His words not mine. His fans cheered and roared to that proclamation, oddly enough. I highly recommend folks consider why his stepson wanted the 666 building in Manhattan so badly and also why there is giant upside down triangle with six steps on each side making a big 666 on Trump Tower in NY? That’s no accident. MAGA does not mean what you think it does, sorry folks.