GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn Sues Over Over Effort To Remove Him From Ballot

Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-North Carolina) is suing members of the North Carolina State Board of Elections after 11 North Carolina voters alleged that he is ineligible to stand for election in November due to his involvement in the January 6 insurrection.

Cawthorn spoke at a rally in front of the White House that lead to rioters storming the Capitol leaving four rioters dead and 150 law enforcement officers injured. One officer died of a stroke after responding to the insurrection and, multiple other officers committed suicide days after.

Voters suing against Cawthorn’s reelection bid are citing section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which, prohibits public officials from taking office if they engaged in “insurrection or rebellion” against the country. A challenge to Cawthorn’s reelection bid was filed on January 10 on behalf of those 11 voters.

Cawthorn filed his own lawsuit on Monday denying that he participated in any “insurrection or rebellion” arguing that he is eligible to run for reelection. His lawsuit also disputes the argument that the Fourteenth Amendment would make him ineligible to run for reelection.

Another claim of Cawthorn’s lawsuit is that the challenge to his candidacy is not rooted in reasonable suspicion and violates his right to run for office. Cawthorn’s lawyer is well known Republican, James Bopp Jr. The judge presiding over the case is Trump-appointee Richard Myers II.