A former New Hampshire GOP chairman, Fergus Cullen, has challenged the legitimacy of Donald Trump’s place on the Republican primary ballot. Cullen raised questions about whether Trump actually belongs to the GOP.
Cullen filed a formal complaint with the Ballot Law Commission, arguing that Trump has expressed views over the course of several decades that appear inconsistent with the Republican Party’s platform, as the Boston Globe noted.
The complaint has provided the terrain for the newest battle between Trump and supporters of Ohio Gov. John Kasich. A pro-Kasich super PAC, New Day for America, supports Cullen’s efforts to get Trump off the ballot.
“Like many other Republicans, we question Donald Trump’s conservative credentials and are happy to support Mr. Cullen’s efforts to challenge Trump’s standing on the New Hampshire Republican primary ballot,” said Connie Wehrkamp, New Day For America spokesperson, in a statement. “Unlike Trump, Ohio Governor John Kasich is a proven conservative who will stand up for the values Republicans hold dear.”
The Trump campaign quickly responded by saying its supporters would likely “riot in the streets” if Trump got kicked off the ballot.
“Fergus Cullen works for John Kasich who is embarrassed by how poorly he is doing in all polls. Mr. Trump was the first candidate to file, the filing is flawless, and Mr. Trump is leading in all national and state polls,” said Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s campaign manager, in a statement. “Number one, Mr. Trump’s views do comport with the Republican party and number two, from a constitutional stand point, there is such a thing as freedom of speech. To file such a document against the person who is not only the frontrunner, but leading by tremendous margins is outrageous. If anything like this would ever happen Mr. Trump’s supporters would probably riot in the streets of New Hampshire. This is yet another attempt by the failed GOP establishment to keep Mr. Trump off the ballot because they know he is the only one who can Make America Great Again.”
But Trump isn’t the only presidential candidate whose party credentials have received special scrutiny in New Hampshire. When the Ballot Law Commission meets on Tuesday, it will also consider whether Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is a Democrat since he has served as an independent socialist in the U.S. Senate, the Globe reports. The commission will also hear a challenge about whether Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is a “natural born” U.S. citizen, as the senator was born in Canada.
