A simmering intra-party debate over Donald Trump’s potential disqualification from the 2024 ballot reached a boiling point this week, with California Governor Gavin Newsom throwing a bucket of cold water on the flames. His message, delivered in a terse statement, was clear: “in California, we defeat candidates at the polls. Everything else is a political distraction.”
Newsom’s stance stands in stark contrast to a growing chorus of voices within the Democratic Party, eager to explore legal avenues to keep Trump off the ballot. The catalyst for this push was a recent Colorado Supreme Court ruling barring Trump from appearing on that state’s ballot based on his role in the January 6th Capitol riot, citing a violation of the 14th Amendment’s disqualification clause for inciting insurrection.
Emboldened by this ruling, California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis urged Secretary of State Shirley Weber to investigate “all legal options” to prevent Trump’s candidacy. Similar calls have been directed towards Attorney General Rob Bonta, with some Democrats urging him to wield his legal authority to rule on Trump’s eligibility.
This strategy, however, appears to find little favor with Newsom. He views it as a dangerous distraction from the real task at hand: defeating Trump at the ballot box. His statement implies a distrust of legal maneuvers focused on disqualification, hinting at concerns about their effectiveness and potential backfire.
Newsom’s approach reflects a pragmatic understanding of California’s political landscape. The Golden State leans heavily Democratic, and while Trump possesses a dedicated base, his prospects of victory there are slim. Newsom likely believes that Democrats shouldn’t expend precious resources and political capital on a long-shot legal gambit when they can simply outmaneuver Trump at the polls.
Of course, Newsom’s position may not satisfy all members of his party. Some Democrats feel a moral imperative to use every legal tool available to prevent Trump from assuming office again. They argue that his disqualification wouldn’t be a distraction, but rather a necessary safeguard against potential democratic erosion.
The debate over Trump’s potential disqualification is likely to continue in the months ahead. Newsom’s firm stance, however, sets a clear marker for California Democrats, urging them to focus on building a winning campaign rather than seeking legal shortcuts. Whether this gamble pays off, only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the 2024 presidential election in California promises to be a fascinating showdown, regardless of who appears on the ballot.
