A Democratic state senator in Pennsylvania who represents a district that flipped to President Trump in 2016 said he plans to become an Independent and caucus with the state’s Republicans because he’s tired of “purist” politicians and felt a disconnect with an increasingly liberal party.
“As an Independent, I will continue to put people above politics,” state Sen. John Yudichak, who represents Pennsylvania’s 14th senatorial district in the northeastern part of the state, said. “I will continue to support Democratic ideas as well as Republican ideas when it is clear that they serve the greater good and help government work for people rather than the narrow interests of partisan purists.”
Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa said Democrats were “extremely disappointed” by Yudichak’s decision to turn away from their “big tent” values.
Yudichak responded that the Democrats’ “tent is shrinking every day.”
Sweden’s left-wing coalition fails to form government, opening possibility for right wing to stay in charge
Reporter’s Notebook: Senate Republicans scrap early exit from Washington as midterm stakes soar
Blue city funds immigrant activist program with taxpayer dollars, critics say it ‘shuts citizens out’
AOC gives major hint about 2028 as Democrat civil war looms
Walz’s ‘exit interview’ reflecting on his tenure sparks lawmaker debate about his legacy: ‘Never serious’
Former Climate Reporter: My Industry Protected the Climate Change Narrative By Killing Positive News Stories
Degeneracy: School Protected Teacher Taking Sexual Pics of 10-Year-Olds Because He Is Gay and ‘Bats for the Other Team,’ Court Docs Say
Government-Owned Capitalism: Brilliant Strategy or Socialist Disaster?
Key Alaska Senate Race Comes Down to One Issue: Fish
AOC’s Ivy League warmup act leads democratic socialists in notorious anti-Israel chant
Lindsay Clancy holdout juror’s lawyer challenges claim he broke the law and more top headlines
Trump’s novel legal strategy pummels alleged ‘narco-terrorists’ and cartel members
Sen Kennedy says no living politicians should have buildings named after them after Trump’s moves
Texas man arrested after ‘intentionally’ crashing into a closed Kroger to use bathroom: cops
Attorney for lone holdout juror in Lindsay Clancy mistrial pushes back on claims of refusing the law
The Republicans will likely have a 29-21 majority next year with the Yudichak and a January special election in a solidly Republican district.
“This is unique,” Yudichak said. “I’m an independent. I’m going to be fiercely independent. I’ve been independent by nature, now it’s going to be by party.”
Yudichak won re-election to a third term in 2018 in the district without any challengers.
He said his stances on issues won’t change and he’ll continue to support some of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s policies.
Democrats picked up six seats in the state in 2018, causing the party to look at potentially getting the majority for the first time in almost 30 years.
Story cited here.
