Presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy declared his intention to withdraw from Colorado’s Republican primary ballot in response to the state’s Supreme Court ruling that barred former President Donald Trump from running in the state due to his involvement in the events of January 6. Ramaswamy committed to staying off the ballot until Trump’s eligibility is reinstated and urged other 2024 GOP primary candidates, including Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, and Nikki Haley, to do the same. He argued that failure to take such action would imply endorsement of what he deemed an “illegal maneuver” with potentially dire consequences for the country.
The Colorado Supreme Court’s decision, delivered on Tuesday evening, cited Trump’s violation of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits former officeholders engaged in insurrection against the U.S. from running for public office again. The court determined that Trump’s activities surrounding the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol constituted engagement in insurrection. Trump’s spokesperson announced their intention to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the court’s decision, Ramaswamy characterized it as “appalling for the future of our country.” Although Ramaswamy knows it would benefit him if Trump wasn’t in the race, he stressed that he prioritizes principles over personal gain. He denounced the ruling as a “flagrant violation of the rule of law” and insisted that the issue transcends individual candidates.
In a statement released shortly before his pledge to withdraw from the Colorado primary, Ramaswamy conveyed his concerns to ABC News, stressing the broader implications of the court’s decision for the democratic process. Speaking after a campaign event in Garner, Iowa, he asserted, “This is wrong. And I think that this is a flagrant violation of the rule of law.” Ramaswamy persisted in expressing his disagreement with the court’s decision at a later event in Mason City, Iowa, speaking to a group of voters assembled at a nearby bar.
When asked about the potential impact of his withdrawal on the path to the nomination, given that Colorado offers 37 Republican delegates, Ramaswamy predicted that other Republican candidates would follow suit. He argued that a collective withdrawal would nullify any significant impact on the overall nomination process.
However, the Colorado Republican Party responded to Ramaswamy’s announcement, stating that his withdrawal might not be necessary. The party indicated that they would shift from a state-run primary to a party-run caucus if the court’s ruling stood. Nevertheless, this move could prompt a rule change from the Republican National Committee (RNC), which had previously approved the state party’s nomination plan.
In response to the Colorado Republican Party’s assertion, Ramaswamy remained firm in his commitment, stating that he believes every Republican candidate would eventually withdraw from the ballot in solidarity. The RNC has not issued a response to ABC News’ request for comment on the matter.
In summary, Vivek Ramaswamy’s decision to withdraw from the Colorado Republican primary ballot in support of Donald Trump reflects his principled stand against what he perceives as a violation of the rule of law. His call for fellow GOP candidates to join him in protest underscores his belief in the broader implications of the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling on the democratic process. The unfolding situation also highlights the potential complexities and rule changes that could arise at both the state and national levels within the Republican Party.