A recent ruling by a federal judge has dismissed a legal challenge aimed at preventing 45th President Donald Trump from appearing on the ballot in New Mexico. The case, brought forward by John Anthony Castro, was rejected due to Castro’s lack of standing. Notably, Castro, who is also a presidential candidate and was recently indicted on charges related to false tax returns, is appealing the decision.
Castro’s legal action against Trump and New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver was part of a broader effort to derail Trump’s potential 2024 presidential run. He based his argument on the Insurrection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. However, Judge Matthew Garcia dismissed the case, stating that Castro lacked “political competitor standing” to Trump.
In his ruling, Judge Garcia elaborated on the concept of “political competitor standing,” which suggests a candidate has the standing to challenge an allegedly ineligible rival’s inclusion on the ballot if it harms their chances of winning. Garcia concluded that Castro’s campaign activities, which included small campaign donations and an online video show, did not establish him as a legitimate political competitor to Trump.
Garcia further noted that Castro had not shown he was genuinely competing with Trump for votes or contributions, nor that Trump’s presence on the ballot would impact his chances of securing the nomination in New Mexico. He pointed out Castro’s absence in national polls and lack of concrete evidence of campaign activities or support within New Mexico.
The judge deemed the complaint futile and dismissed the case without prejudice, citing a lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Consequently, related motions by Castro were also rendered moot.
Following the dismissal, Trump’s campaign spokesman Steven Cheung released a statement highlighting Trump’s undefeated record against 14th Amendment claims in federal court. Cheung criticized Democrats for attempting to “steal the election” by legally trying to remove Trump from ballots, alleging these efforts were driven by desperation due to Joe Biden’s perceived failures. He expressed confidence in Trump’s chances in a fair election.
The case, Castro v. Toulouse Oliver, No.1:23-cv-00766-MLG-GJF, was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Mexico.
The judge realized that there’s no there there.
“Beep! Beep!” Another “Roadrunner” cartoon- like fail.
Another one bites the dust
There you go Mr. Castro and Maggie Toulouse Oliver. Judge Garcia rationale was right on.
I wouldn’t thank Toulouse-Lautrec. She wanted to get President Trump off the ballot herself. She also keeps trying to change voting laws all by her lonesome. This has gone on for years. I hope she’s enjoying that $50,000+/year raise that MLG gave her last year. That raise is larger than many New Mexicans’ yearly salaries; her salary before then was also larger than most New Mexicans’ salaries.
Trump 2024!
The crazies are stopping at nothing to not let President Trump become president. They are so afraid. Here in NM people need to wake up and come Election Day vote out these evil people. We have a few years left of the evil queen. She so needs to be removed from office, but not possible if all her comrades are still in office.
God have mercy on us all.
I’m happy the Judge overruled them.Screw MLG and all her cronies.
Who is this F***ing clown John Anthony Castro? and what makes him think he can speak for the people of New Mexico? The voters will decide and not some self serving clown!!
Any relation to Cuba’s Fidel Castro?
I love the Pinion Post, they show us the good and bad, NM has a lot of good folks. We just need to do something about the folks from the left that want to change our way of life. We believing is less governmental control, we believe in the 2A, we believe in parents being in charge of their kids. We do not care what sex you are nor who you love, just do not push that crap in our face or on our children.