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    Activists Seek to Disqualify Trump From 2024 Ballot

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    10
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Two activist groups want to keep former President Donald Trump from the White House by any means necessary.

    The groups say secretaries of state are empowered by the 14th Amendment to bar Trump from running for office because of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. The groups are calling their campaign “Trump is Disqualified,” and are timing it to coincide with the 155th anniversary of the 14th Amendment.

    The Hill has more:

    Starting Sunday, Mi Familia Vota and Free Speech for People will stage a week of rallies and banner drops outside the offices of the secretaries of state of California, Oregon, Colorado and Georgia.

    The groups also penned a letter to Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar last month, calling on him to block Trump under what’s known as the Insurrectionist Disqualification Clause.

    “We’re really focusing on Nevada and California and [Oregon, Colorado and Georgia] to make sure that they are taking a stand by disqualifying Trump in those spaces, which is something that the secretary of state can do,” said Héctor Sánchez, executive director of Mi Familia Vota.

    “Trump is responsible for the January 6th insurrection, plain and simple,” said Alexandra Flores-Quilty, campaign director for Free Speech For People. 

    “Failing to hold him responsible not only violates the Constitution, but it also sets a dangerous precedent for permitting violent attacks on our democracy. That’s not a risk we can afford to take.”

    Secretaries of state are charged with certifying eligibility of candidates and counting the votes in their state. Though Trump has been indicted twice and is under investigation in other cases, the groups say those are not disqualifying facts under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

    DeSantis Commits to First GOP Presidential Primary Debate

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    1

    Florida Governor and presidential contender Ron DeSantis is refusing to stand in the shadow of Donald Trump.

    DeSantis plans to participate in the first Republican presidential nomination debate “regardless” of whether former President Donald Trump takes the stage at the August showdown. 

    “I’ll be there regardless. I hope everybody who’s eligible comes. I think it’s an important part of the process and I look forward to being able to be on the stage and introducing our candidacy and our vision and our leadership to a wide audience,” DeSantis said Thursday on “Fox News Tonight.”

    Trump, who’s the commanding front-runner in the latest GOP presidential primary polls, has indicated that he may skip the debate. However, Trump campaign officials say the former president has yet to make a final decision on his participation. Trump’s aides have also been looking into options for an alternative event should the former president skip the debate, according to Fox News.

    The debate is scheduled for August 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and will be hosted by Fox News.

    The Republican National Committee (RNC), which is organizing all the GOP presidential nominating debates, is requiring a high donor threshold as well as polling thresholds for candidates to make the stage. 

    The RNC is also mandating that candidates that meet the thresholds sign a loyalty pledge to back the eventual 2024 GOP nominee, in order to participate in the debate.

    The state of Florida is adding a similar loyalty requirement for candidates to be included on the state’s ballot, according to POLITICO.

    The new oath, which includes a promise to “endorse” the GOP nominee and requires a candidate to pledge not to run as an independent or third-party candidate, mirrors language adopted by the Republican National Committee for its first debate.

    “We were trying to be consistent with what the debate was requiring,” said Evan Power, vice chair of the Republican Party of Florida, who said that campaigns were notified about the changes. “I don’t think this will come as a surprise.”

    DeSantis PAC Spokesman Admits ‘We Are Way Behind’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0
    Ron DeSantis via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    The truth is coming out…

    A prominent pro-Ron DeSantis official is admitting the truth about the Florida governor’s presidential campaign, which does not sound good.

    According to Mediate, Never Back Down PAC spokesman Steve Cortes “got pretty blunt” and was “sounding a decidedly dour note” on DeSantis’ ability to overtake the ex-president in the GOP presidential primary in a Twitter Spaces chat hosted by @CryptoLawyerz, an anonymous right-leaning account who says he is an attorney and formerly worked at the Department of Justice.

    “Right now in national polling we are way behind, I’ll be the first to admit that,” said Cortes. “I believe in being blunt and honest. It’s an uphill battle but clearly Donald Trump is the runaway frontrunner.”

    He added that DeSantis’ campaign was the “clear underdog,” and added that in the first four primary states, “which matter tremendously, polls are a lot tighter, we are still clearly down. We’re down double digits, we have work to do.”

    During Sunday’s Twitter Space, Cortes did find some reason for optimism in DeSantis’ primary efforts — but not for DeSantis himself, predicting that the primary battle would make Trump a “better” and more competitive general election candidate.

    “If we do not prevail — and I have every intent on winning, I didn’t sign up for this to come in second — but if we do not prevail I will tell you this, we will make President Trump better for having this kind of primary,” said Cortes.

    Cortes also offered praise for Trump’s skills on the debate stage, joking that it might help DeSantis if Trump carries through on his threat to boycott the first RNC-hosted debate next month:

    “Is Ron the debater that Trump is?” he said. “No, no he isn’t.”

    “Absolutely Donald Trump is the maestro of it right, no doubt about it, right. When he gets on the debate stage, you know, and on his feet, in front of a microphone, he debates like Jack Nicklaus played golf, there’s no doubt about it,” Cortes said.

    Republican Hopeful Refuses to Sign RNC Pledge to Support 2024 Nominee

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    3
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Former Texas Congressman William Hurd is refusing to sign on to the rules laid out by the Republican National Committee (RNC) to support the 2024 presidential nominee, therefore disqualifying him from the 2024 debate stage.

    In an appearance on CNN, Hurd, who has positioned himself as a centrist, anti-Trump contender for the Republican nomination, said that he was fine meeting all the other criteria for attending the Republican presidential debates, but would not pledge to support Trump if he is the eventual nominee.

    “That’s right,” he answered when asked if it was true that he would not pledge to support the eventual 2024 Republican nominee. “I’m gonna work towards hitting all the requirements, but I can’t lie to get access to a microphone.”

    “I’ve taken one oath, and that’s to protect the Constitution,” he continued. “I’m not going to support Donald Trump. I recognize the impact that it has on on on my ability to get access to the debate stage, but I can’t lie. It’ll be easy to say I’ll do it, and then when it comes down, you know, change your mind. But I just can’t, I can’t do that.”

    The RNC laid out its requirements for Republican candidates to secure a spot on the debate stage last month. In the RNC rules, candidates must poll at least 1% in three national polls, sign a pledge to support whoever the 2024 nominee ends up being, and reach a minimum of 40,000 unique donors, among other qualifications.

    Hurd, one of the most recent entries into the Republican field, fails to register in most recent polls. 

    DeSantis Snaps When Asked If He Will Support Trump As 2024 GOP Nominee

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    1

    The claws are out.

    Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had a combative response when asked if he would support Donald Trump if he ultimately becomes the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.

    “What I would say is this. When you are saying that [former New York Gov. Andrew] Cuomo did better on COVID than Florida did, you are revealing yourself to just be full of it,” DeSantis said, responding to the question at a press conference on Thursday. 

    “Nobody believes that,” he added to applause. “And you know why I know that? Because I remember in 2020 and 2021 when he was praising Florida for being open, saying we did it much better than New York and Michigan, and everyone was coming to Florida, and that we were one of the great governors in the United States.”

    DeSantis then circled back to the original question and said, “It’s like, I want to beat Biden, okay? I will do that. I will get that done. And I think more importantly than that, I will actually bring these policies for a landing and get it all done up there.”

    “But it’s an important process and you respect the process and you respect the people’s decisions, how this goes, but I’m very confident that those decisions are going to be positive for us,” he said. 

    The Florida governor’s remarks come as Trump’s campaign has moved in recent days to attack the governor over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. 

    Former CIA Agent Enters 2024 White House Contest

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    5

    The Republican presidential primary field just gained an unexpected new entry.

    Thursday morning, former CIA clandestine agent Will Hurd announced he’s running for president.

    Hurd, a one-time CIA officer from Texas who served three terms in Congress before deciding against running for re-election in 2020. He officially declared his candidacy in an interview with CBS News and also filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to run.

    “This is a decision that my wife and I decided to do because we live in complicated times and we need common sense,” Hurd told CBS News.

    “To be frank on this, that we’re not talking about these things,” he said. “I’m pissed that our elected officials are telling us to to hate our neighbors. Our neighbors are not our enemies. They’re our fellow Americans who we just happen to have a disagreement with.”

    “These are the issues that we should be talking about,” Hurd continued. “And I believe the Republican Party can be the party that talks about the future, not the past.”

    The Democratic National Committee welcomed Hurd to the race by seeking to tie him to Trump.

    “Will Hurd spent his career in Congress in lockstep with Donald Trump’s extreme MAGA agenda – voting to rig the economy for the ultra-wealthy, ban abortion nationwide, gut Planned Parenthood, and repeal the Affordable Care Act, all while cozying up to the gun lobby,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “The GOP primary field is overflowing with MAGA Republicans desperate to win over the right-wing fringes, and Hurd is just the latest entrant into an incredibly chaotic and extreme 2024 field.”

    Hurd has an uphill battle ahead of him in an already crowded primary field. Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have largely dominated the polls thus far. Former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, tech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy, and former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson have lagged behind in the polls.

    Former Vice President Mike Pence also recently entered the race after months of speculation.

    This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.

    Billionaire Donor Says This Republican Governor Is His ‘Ideal’ White House Candidate

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    Gage Skidmore Flickr

    While the 2024 Republican primary field continues to attract high-profile contenders to the ring some top GOP donors are holding out hope for another candidate.

    Interactive Brokers founder Thomas Peterffy, a billionaire who has supported Republican candidates in the past, says he hopes Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin takes the leap.

    “I would like to vote for a person who, in my view, is most likely to be able to win the general election. And accordingly, we have to pick somebody in primaries that we believe is most likely to win the general. And that is going to be a person that I believe is more likely to be a centrist candidate, “Peterffy said on Tuesday. 

    “I think that [Glenn Youngkin] would be an ideal candidate, although it is not very likely that he’s going to run. Not at this point, certainly,” he added. 

    “I think that he is the person that most people will find very, very attractive,” he said. “And he goes along with the main Republican ideals of individual freedom and economic freedom. And that’s where the issue basically is. And less regulation, smaller government, etc.”

    Peterffy noted that his experience growing up in a Socialist country has only made him more determined to support candidates that will prevent the U.S. from becoming a Socialist country.

    “I grew up in a socialist country, and I’m deathly afraid of ending up in the same situation, and I will do practically anything to avoid it,” he said.

    Despite interest from outside parties, Gov. Youngkin has been hesitant to enter the 2024 primary field.

    Last month, reports indicated the Virginia governor is “reconsidering” mounting a 2024 bid for the White House despite previously refuting such claims. (RELATED: Republican Gov. ‘Reconsidering’ White House Bid)

    “He’s reconsidering,” a source close to Youngkin told Axios. “He’d be in his own lane: He’s not never-Trump, and he’s not Trump-light.”

    North Dakota Governor Enters White House Race

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2
    North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, greets U.S. President Donald J. Trump arrives at the North Dakota Air National Guard Base, Fargo, N.D., Sept. 7, 2018. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H Lipp)

    A relatively unknown Republican Governor has decided to enter the 2024 primary field in what appears to be an ever-growing group of competitors.

    On Wednesday, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum became the most recent Republican to enter the race.

    Burgum announced his candidacy in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal.

    “We need a change in the White House. We need a new leader for a changing economy. That’s why I’m announcing my run for president today,” he wrote.

    The economy must be our top priority. We need to get inflation under control, cut taxes, lower gas prices and reduce the cost of living.

    We need to stop buying energy from our enemies and start selling it to our friends and allies. America produces the cleanest and safest energy in the world. Anyone who cares about the environment should want all energy produced here.

    Finally, we must recognize the real threat to America and strengthen national security. Our enemies aren’t our neighbors down the street. Our enemies are countries that want to see our way of life destroyed. The first time I ever saw Great Plains’ software in China in 1989 it had been stolen and pirated to sell for a tiny fraction of our price. We must rebuild our military and re-establish our nation’s position of strength to win the cold war with China.

    “There’s a value to being underestimated all the time,” Burgum told The Forum Editorial Board in an interview published last month. “That’s a competitive advantage.”

    Burgum, who has served as the governor since 2016, announced his campaign during an event in Fargo.

    Besides former President Trump, the Republican presidential nomination field includes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina governor and former ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former two-term Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, multimillionaire entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Michigan businessman Perry Johnson.

    On Monday, former Vice President Mike Pence formally filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) ahead of his expected announcement on June 7.

    Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who ran for the 2016 presidential nomination, also filed his paperwork with the FEC on Tuesday.

    Report: Mike Pence To Make White House Announcement Next Week

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    Mike Pence via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Former Vice President Mike Pence is gearing up to officially enter the Republican primary field.

    A source close to Pence informed The Hill that he is planning to announce his White House bid next week.

    The Hill has more:

    The source said Pence’s team is finalizing plans to launch his campaign for the White House, joining the expanding GOP primary field with a forward-looking announcement that makes the case for his candidacy. The former vice president is expected to put much of his focus on Iowa, which hosts the first caucus on the GOP primary calendar.

    Pence is scheduled to participate in a CNN town hall in Iowa next Wednesday, June 7, an event that was billed in one release as a “Presidential Town Hall.” Pence will celebrate his 64th birthday the same day.

    The former vice president was also originally scheduled to speak to the Georgia Republican Party at a June 9 event. But the party alerted supporters on Wednesday that Pence “has been forced to re-schedule because of a televised national town hall at which he will be making an announcement regarding his future plans,” in a message first reported by The Atlanta Journal Constitution.

    Pence has an uphill battle ahead of him in an already crowded primary field. Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have largely dominated the polls thus far. Former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, tech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy, and former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson have lagged behind in the polls.

    This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.

    Report: Chris Christie Nears White House Announcement

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    6
    Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

    Is Donald Trump about to see one of his most aggressive critics join the Republican primary circle?

    Reports indicate former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has taken a significant step towards announcing his 2024 White House campaign after his allies established a political action committee (PAC) to support his bid.

    The PAC, called Tell It Like It Is, is the latest sign that Christie plans to throw his hat in the ring in the Republican presidential primary race, the New York Times initially reported.

    Fox News reports:

    The former governor has already made selections for a potential presidential campaign staff as well, according to the New York Times. Mike DuHaime and Maria Comella are poised to manage his campaign if he announces, the outlet reported. Duhaime previously worked as a political strategist during Christie’s 2016 campaign, and Comella previously worked as chief of staff to disgraced former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

    Meanwhile Brian Jones, a longtime staffer for GOP campaigns, will head up the PAC.

    Earlier this month, Christie indicated he planned to jump into the race by hitting at both frontrunners Trump and President Biden.

    “I’m very concerned that what we’re heading toward is a Trump-Biden rematch,” said in a radio interview. “A Trump-Biden rematch is bad for the Republican Party.”

    “We lost the House in 2018. The Senate and the White House in 2020. We underperformed in 2022 and lost more governorships and another Senate seat. Donald Trump cannot win,” he continued.

    Christie would enter a growing field of Republican 2024 candidates, including Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis; former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley; Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

    Former Vice President Mike Pence is also expected to launch a bid for the White House in the coming weeks.

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