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.”
Dominican migrant with deportation order, wanted for murder in home country freed by Biden-appointed judge
Wyoming official faces backlash after posting ‘hang bad judges’ comment on abortion ruling
Doctor and son accused of running dangerous side-business scheme in New York
DOJ sues New Jersey over laws giving illegal aliens in-state tuition, says citizens treated as ‘second-class’
Hawley champions GUARD Act as heartbroken families say AI chatbots allegedly pushed teens to self-harm
Democratic Congressman Suggests Execution for Pete Hegseth
GOP lawmakers seek to defund HBCU after it canceled Republican’s commencement speech
DOJ Axes a Slew of Gun-Control Regulations in ‘Historic’ Day for the 2nd Amendment
Watch: Johnny Carson’s Reaction to Reagan Shooting Goes Viral After Trump Targeted
MN lawmakers unload on Walz’s ‘legacy’ after he touts fraud record in final annual address: ‘Ridiculous’
DNC chair ripped for downplaying unreleased 2024 autopsy after Dem losses: ‘Self-inflicted crisis’
US National Debt Exceeds GDP for First Time Since the Immediate Aftermath of WWII
DOJ weighs new classified leak charges against Comey as legal pressure escalates
Report: Dem Senate Candidate Deleted Thousands of Radical Tweets, Bashed Middle America: ‘Wish I Never Left California’
GOP warns Trump over war powers deadline amid Iran standstill
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.
