(Source: MIRS.news, Published 11/13/2023) Former President Donald Trump appeared on the list of Michigan's Feb. 27 presidential primary candidates released by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson Monday.
Benson had until 4 p.m. to release the initial list of candidates for president, and she had said that candidates would appear unless they withdrew their names - something Trump wasn't likely to do considering he filed a lawsuit in the Court of Claims demanding to make the Michigan ballot.
"Two months ago, I made clear that under Michigan law, anyone generally advocated by the national news media to be a candidate for the Republican or Democratic nomination for president is listed on the ballot for the February 2024 primary unless a court rules otherwise," Benson said.
Three lawsuits, including one from Trump, were filed against Benson challenging whether his name would appear. A judge heard arguments in the three cases on Thursday, but Court of Claims records do not show an order had been entered as of 5:30 p.m. Monday.
Bob LaBrant, a lawyer named as a plaintiff in one lawsuit, said he could see a ruling coming soon, but he expected that Trump would be on Monday’s list. He also said he could see the case going to the U.S. Supreme Court.
"The matters are going to be on a fairly fast track, because she's really released the names of people who can appear on the primary ballot, and the Legislature adjourning sine die tomorrow," he said.
The Michigan presidential primary would be held Feb. 27. The deadline for ballots to be sent to overseas and military voters is Jan. 13, and absentee voter ballots will be printed by Jan. 18.
LaBrant said the list was required by statute and Benson needed to come up with the list from both the state Democratic and Republican parties.
"Today, as far as Jocelyn Benson, she's basically following the procedure that's already outlined in (the) statute of putting on the list of primary candidates," he said.
In addition to Trump, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Ohio businessman Vivek Ramaswamy are listed on the GOP primary ticket.
The Democratic primary ticket would consist of President Joe Biden, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and author Marianne Williamson, a former Detroit resident who also ran for president in 2020.
Benson said the state Democrat and Republican chairs have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to add the names of other candidates to the list for their party.
The last day for a candidate to withdraw from the primary ballot would be 4 p.m. Dec. 8.
