AUGUSTA, Maine — A resolution seeking to impeach Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows was introduced Wednesday by a House Republican, calling for her removal after she barred former President Donald Trump from appearing on the ballot over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Rep. John Andrews formally introduced the joint order Wednesday in the House, citing "grave and serious allegations [that] have been raised regarding the conduct of Secretary of State Shenna Bellows."
The filing was confirmed by a clerk at the State House, and a copy of the filing was uploaded Wednesday afternoon.
It orders a House special investigative committee to explore possible misconduct of Bellows, a Democrat, while in office and also orders a report of the findings to be submitted no later than Jan. 31.
Andrews alleges Bellows failed to recuse herself over partisan bias. Bellows has maintained that her views have nothing to do with the ruling.
Bellows' decision to remove Trump from the ballot under the Constitution's insurrection clause was announced Thursday, following a similar decision made by the Colorado Supreme Court earlier in December.
Bellows, as secretary of state, is the first election official to take action.
Trump filed an appeal against Bellows' decision on Tuesday. His appeal in Maine will be reviewed by the state superior court. Just one day later, on Wednesday afternoon, he asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review Colorado's Supreme Court decision with the hope he would regain eligibility to be on their ballot, according to a report from the Associated Press.
RELATED: Trump asks US Supreme Court to review Colorado ruling barring him from the ballot over Jan. 6 attack
An investigation is underway after Bellows was apparently targeted in a swatting call at her home on Friday, the day after her decision was announced. According to reports, a fake emergency call was made to police, alleging an unknown person had broken into her Manchester home. Bellows was not home at the time the call was made.
Swatting calls involve making a call to emergency services with the intent that a "large first responder presence, including SWAT teams, will show up at a residence."
On Saturday, Bellows posted on Facebook in response to the incident, saying in part:
"This behavior is unacceptable. The non-stop threatening communications the people who work for me endured all day yesterday is unacceptable. It’s designed to scare not only me but also others into silence, to send a message. I am so grateful to have such an amazing team of employees at the Department of Secretary of State. Brandon and I are grateful for incredible, dedicated support from law enforcement in this time."