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.”
Firebrand conservatives set to duke it out in GOP Texas AG debate
Remembering Rush Limbaugh, Five Years to the Day After His Passing
ALERT: Gunman Arrested at Capitol Today – Carrying Loaded Shotgun, Wearing Tactical Vest
Dem governor’s ‘dangerous’ anti-ICE law ignites backlash after alleged box cutter attack by illegal alien
BREAKING: Federal Judge Rules ICE Cannot Re-Detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia
Latina House Republican asks Supreme Court to block Dems’ bid to ‘racially gerrymander’ her out of Congress
Springsteen jabs Trump as ‘wannabe king’ as famed rocker launches concert tour ‘in defense of America’
Cheer mom, daughter dead in apparent murder-suicide after years-long custody fight: docs
Will Conservative Supreme Court Justices Step Down While Trump Can Still Replace Them? Midterm Results Might Force the Issue
Abrego Garcia to remain free from ICE custody as judge OKs travel for Tennessee hearing
Five injured, including firefighter, in church explosion following reported gas leak in upstate New York
Vance and Rubio would give GOP ‘potent one-two punch’ for 2028 ticket: Joe Concha
NBC News Buries Background of Latest Trans Mass Shooting Suspect – He ‘Also Went by the First Name Roberta’
Obama dragged for ‘headache’-inducing presidential center update that has visitors squinting
Minnesota Democrats demand reparations from ICE after losing $18 billion to Somali fraud
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.
