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.”
Schumer, Dems again block DHS funding, force State of the Union showdown
Pentagon gives AI firm ultimatum: lift military limits by Friday or lose $200M deal
No Democratic candidate secures party endorsement in California governor’s race
‘Big guys, huh?’: Trump hosts US Olympic hockey team ahead of State of the Union
US Men’s Hockey Team Arrives in DC in Patriotic Style Ahead of Trump’s State of the Union
Cowardly Texas Republicans Drop Plan to Honor Charlie Kirk with Highway After Modest Left-Wing Pushback
United Cajun Navy offers search and rescue services in hunt for Nancy Guthrie
WATCH: Mamdani Was Filmed Praising Group of Muslims Who Glorify Killing Christians and Jews
Security guard, Arizona moving company employees help recover 2-year-old allegedly taken by unrelated woman
Rubio, Ratcliffe to deliver classified Iran briefing to Gang of Eight ahead of Trump’s State of the Union
Erika Kirk to be Trump’s guest at State of the Union
CNN Data Analyst Calls 2028 Democrat Field a ‘Clown Car,’ Says Newsom Is ‘Flailing’
Iowa congressman took cash from Chinese companies buying American farmland
Dem rep identifies himself as one of this year’s State of the Union designated survivors
Evil: Newsom’s Team Decides to Free Child Molester Whose Crimes We Can’t Fully Describe Here (and You Wouldn’t Want Us To)
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.
