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.”
Shots Fired at US Consulate in Canada in ‘Unacceptable Act of Violence’
Jackson-Kavanaugh tensions surface in candid exchange over Supreme Court ‘shadow docket’
Have you seen these people? One of them might be your next president
Mainstream Media Headlines Use Subtle Spin to Hide Truth About ISIS-Inspired NYC Attack
Gas prices surge, pinching Americans and handing the GOP a new midterm headache
Tennessee lawmakers push bill that could make them, and their donors, richer by triggering CVS closures
Trump Promises to Hit Iran ’20 Times Harder’ if it Doesn’t Comply with Demands
U.S. Military Took Out Iranian Who Was Planning to Kill Trump
Longtime House Dem swats down attack ad from millennial challenger: ‘I trust the voters’
‘Serious concerns’: GOP sounds alarm on taxpayer funds going to ‘high risk’ universities vulnerable to CCP
Trump warns Iran faces strikes ‘twenty times harder’ if nation refuses to heed warning and more top headlines
Trump Keeps Gifting Officials and Friends a Particular Brand of Shoes
Schools boost antisemitism grades in ADL report but students say hostility persists
Watch: The 4 Most Intense Lines Hegseth Had About Iran During ’60 Minutes’ Interview
All eyes on Georgia as Trump-backed candidate battles in high-stakes congressional showdown
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.
