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.”
Armed suspect who allegedly shot at Secret Service officers near White House identified as Texas man
Panicking Virginia Democrats Now Think Their Gerrymander Will Fail in Court, Triggering Infighting: Report
RFK Jr. unveils initiative targeting ‘overuse’ of psychiatric medications, especially among children
Chicago pol says Walgreens should be charged with ‘first-degree corporate abandonment’ over closure over theft
Rich Actress’s Virtue-Signaling Met Gala Stunt Falls Flat: ‘She’s Protesting Herself and Her Friends’
FBI nabs more than 350 alleged child sex abuse offenders
Survivors recount Islamist massacres of Congolese Christians in terrorism report
Fulton County fights DOJ bid for 2020 election workers’ personal data
Hegseth shoots down Iran ‘kamikaze dolphins’ — leaves US question open
Rubio’s Trump admin juggling act grows as meme-worthy role list becomes reality
Priceless: Swalwell Joined Snapchat to Restore ‘Faith’ in ‘Democracy,’ Then Used It to Send Utterly Depraved Videos, Photos to Women – Accusations
Fed-up Justice Alito Just Leveled 5 Humiliating Insults at Justice Jackson in Withering Majority Opinion – Here’s the List
Alito rips Jackson’s ‘utterly irresponsible’ solo dissent as Supreme Court fight shakes up 2026 map
California gubernatorial hopefuls contend with back-to-back debates with finish line in sight
Climate seminars for judges face funding trail probe amid fears of outside influence on courts
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.
