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.”
NFL Coaching Legend Blasts Massive Issue He Saw While Watching Thanksgiving Games
Trump Admin Negotiators Make High-Stakes Visit to Russia After ‘Successful’ Ukraine Meeting
Reporter’s Notebook: Tennessee special election eyed as Trump referendum ahead of midterms
Trump invites families of two National Guard members shot in DC to White House, plans to honor soldiers
Trump offers to release his October MRI results, insists scan wasn’t of his brain
Foreign terror labels curb ISIS, but US radicals face fewer limits online, study finds
Slain National Guardsman Wanted to ‘Make a Difference’ During Trump Deployment, Felt the National Guard Should Do More
Trump Confirms US Stranglehold Over Venezuelan Airspace: ‘Closed in Its Entirety’
Trump says he would ‘absolutely’ revoke citizenship from naturalized criminals — if he has the authority
First lady Melania Trump decorates the White House for Christmas: ‘Home is Where the Heart Is’
Trump says he believes Hegseth ‘100%’ on Venezuelan drug boat strike denial amid allegations
Music City Miracle: A look at an unusually contentious election in the Volunteer State
Trump gave Maduro ultimatum to flee Venezuela as land operations loom: report
Afghan suspect in National Guard attack was ‘radicalized’ after arriving to US, Noem says
Trump says ‘don’t read anything into it’ when asked about declaring Venezuela’s airspace closed
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.
