Presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy has made a significant political move by declaring his intention to withdraw from the Colorado Republican primary.
This decision, announced on Tuesday, is a direct response to the state’s Supreme Court ruling that deems former President Donald Trump ineligible to participate in the race.
This ruling centers around Trump’s involvement in the events of January 6.
Ramaswamy’s commitment to stand in solidarity with Trump is unwavering. He has vowed to remain off the Colorado ballot until Trump’s eligibility is reinstated.
Furthermore, he’s throwing down the gauntlet to his fellow GOP contenders for the 2024 Presidential race, challenging them to follow suit.
In a bold statement, Ramaswamy said, “I pledge to withdraw from the Colorado GOP primary ballot until Trump is also allowed to be on the ballot, and I demand that Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, and Nikki Haley do the same immediately – or else they are tacitly endorsing this illegal maneuver which will have disastrous consequences for our country.”
The Colorado Supreme Court’s Decision and Its Fallout
The backdrop of Ramaswamy’s decision is the Colorado Supreme Court’s Tuesday evening ruling, which found Trump to have violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.
This section prohibits former officeholders from running again if they have engaged in insurrection against the U.S.
The court determined that Trump’s actions related to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot constituted such insurrection. In response, a spokesperson for Trump indicated plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Ramaswamy, who had earlier spoken to ABC News, expressed his deep concerns about the ruling’s implications. “And to tell you the truth, it would be a lot easier for me to get elected if Trump wasn’t in this race, but that’s not – it’s not about me, and it’s not about another candidate,” he commented.
“This is wrong. And I think that this is a flagrant violation of the rule of law.”
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Impact on the Republican Presidential Race
The potential effects of this withdrawal on the GOP nomination race are significant. Colorado, with its 37 Republican delegates, is a valuable prize in the primary season.
When asked by ABC News about the impact of his decision, Ramaswamy speculated, “I think every Republican will end up withdrawing, which means that that won’t affect anyone’s path to the nomination.”
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Ripples in the Colorado GOP and Beyond
In a surprising twist, following Ramaswamy’s announcement, the Colorado Republican Party revealed that they might shift from a state-run primary to a party-run caucus if the Supreme Court’s ruling stands.
This maneuver could necessitate a change in rules from the Republican National Committee, which has already approved the state party’s nomination plan. Dave Williams, Chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, conveyed optimism about navigating this change, telling ABC News, “We would seek a waiver and probably get it.”
Ramaswamy’s decision, rooted in his support for Trump and his interpretation of legal principles, has undoubtedly stirred the political landscape.
It raises critical questions about the dynamics within the GOP and the unfolding strategies as the 2024 Presidential race heats up.
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