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A Georgia judge ruled in favor of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., on Friday, stating challengers attempting to knock her off the ballot lack sufficient evidence to do so.
A national election and campaign finance reform group, Free Speech for People, filed a complaint against Greene, saying she violated a section of the 14th Amendment barring congressional officials from engaging in an insurrection and is unsuited to run for reelection in November, according to AP News.
However, state Administrative Law Judge Charles Beaudrot ruled that the group “failed to prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence.”
The ruling states:
“The burden of proof in this matter is on Challengers. Challengers have failed to prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence. The evidence in this matter is insufficient to establish that Rep. Greene, having ‘previously taken an oath as a member of Congress . . . to support the Constitution of the United States . . . engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or [gave] aid or comfort to the enemies thereof’ under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Therefore, the Court holds that Respondent is qualified to be a candidate for Representative for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District.”
Last month, an Arizona judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to remove pro-Trump Republican candidates from running in November’s election.
The same group which targeted Greene also brought on a complaint against Rep. Paul Gosar, Rep. Andy Biggs, and State Rep. Mark Finchem, alleging the trio is unsuited to run for reelection after allegedly engaging in the “insurrection” on Jan. 6.
However, their efforts fell flat after Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Coury stated the challengers lacked grounds to target the congressional candidates.
Per state law, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger will review the judge’s findings and ultimately decide whether Greene can remain on the ballot.