AUGUSTA, Maine — With the new legislative session underway, Maine state Republicans held a press briefing Wednesday on their disapproval of the Maine secretary of state's decision to dismiss former President Donald Trump from the election ballot.
"[It's] a unilateral move that in my opinion was unconstitutional, and I think even her move speaks for itself," Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart said.
Backed behind a handful of state senators and representatives, both Stewart and House Republican Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham exchanged reasons why they saw the move as biased and as a career move for Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.
"We have been reached out to by many constituents who say they would never vote for Donald Trump, yet they are outraged," Faulkingham said. "This speaks to the absolute partisanship of the office of the secretary of state because it is elected in a partisan manner."
With a recent order of impeachment of Bellows by Rep. John Andrews, Steward also discussed his opinion on why the role of secretary of state may be partisan, and that a look into how they are elected could be touched on in the upcoming months.
Bellows has stood by her move since its announcement last week, explaining the secretary of state under Maine law is required to make a decision when voters challenge a candidate's qualifications.
Bellows also reiterated that her decision lay solely with her duty as the secretary of state and dismissed any underlying motives or biases for the move.
"I did my job under the law and the constitution," Bellows said. "The qualifications under the constitution of law are not a menu. They're not optional. They're obligations."
Bellows since has received threats and even a hoax emergency call to her home address following the decision. Regardless, she said she will continue to follow Maine state law.
"The threatening communications, the attacks, the swatting, the political theatre over at the state house. ... That's not how we do it here in our country," Bellows said.
Now, the decision will go in front of the Maine Superior Court, with a ruling to be determined by Jan. 17.