Sununu says Maine decision to boot Trump off the ballot is politically motivated

by Lauren Sforza - 12/31/23 10:09 AM ET

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu speaks at a campaign event, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, in Rye, N.H. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said Maine’s decision to remove former President Trump from the ballot is politically motivated.

Sununu said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows was motivated to kick Trump off the ballot due to her own career goals. Sununu, a frequent critic of the former president, said that the decision will likely only boost his campaign as he continues to play the “victim card.”

“Look, if there was any validity about keeping Trump off the ballot, you would see 48 other states trying to do the same,” he said. “Personally, I think it’s very politically motivated by the Maine secretary of state. Trump should be on the ballot.”

“Everybody understands that. This is a politician who I think has political aspirations down the road and [is] trying to make a little bit of a name for herself,” he added.

Bellows announced her decision to boot the former president from the ballot in the state last week, making Maine the second state after Colorado to remove Trump from the ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment for his actions related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks on the Capitol. Trump has vowed to appeal both decisions — a legal battle that will likely end up in the hands of the Supreme Court.

Sununu also said that he hopes that the Supreme Court gets involved and overturns the decisions in Maine and Colorado to “make sure Trump’s on the ballot in 50 states.” He added that Trump will likely benefit from the rulings, noting that he has “played the victim card wonderfully.”

“But, yes, this would only … boost his opportunity to play that victim card down the road as we hit the primaries. It’s not helpful at all, and I just don’t think it’s right. I think, again, the U.S. Supreme Court will likely overturn both of these challenges, and we can all move on with him on the ballot on all 50 states, so Nikki Haley can beat him in all 50 states,” he said.

Sununu endorsed Nikki Haley in the GOP primary earlier this month as the former South Carolina governor surges in New Hampshire, hoping to pull off an upset in the state.