Trump Can Stay on Maine GOP Primary Ballot, for Now

A Maine Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday that Donald Trump's name will appear on the ballot for the Maine presidential primary, but it's far from a sure thing.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows ruled that Trump is ineligible to appear on the Republican ballot on March 5 "because he engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States or has given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof." Bellows also stayed her ruling pending a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in a similar decision by Colorado's Secretary of State.

Justice Michaela Murphy ruled that the stay should remain in place.

"The court has also concluded that because there are so many federal issues in Anderson (the Colorado case), it would be imprudent for this Court to be the first Court in Maine to address them. Put simply, the United State Supreme Court's acceptance of the Colorado case changes everything about the order in which these issues should be decided and by which court," Murphy said.

Another ruling from Maine?

The ruling also gives Bellows 30 days after the U.S. Supreme Court decision to issue a new ruling about Trump's eligibility.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision after hearing arguments on February 8.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via X (Twitter) @DanAlexanderNH