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.”
Pope Leo does ‘6-7’ trend for children at the Vatican
Violent Repeat Offender Left Psych Ward Days Before Allegedly Shooting Up Busy Massachusetts Street
Second FDA executive departing organization in less than a week as top drug regulator claims she was fired
Largest children’s hospital in US to open ‘detransition clinic’ after $10M settlement with Trump DOJ, state
Major Thermos Product Recalled After Causing Vision Loss in Three People
ActBlue CEO faces June 10 grilling after fundraising powerhouse allegedly misled Congress on foreign donations
Democrats’ Top Five Positions That Clash with Biblical Values
Wheelchair-Bound Harvey Weinstein Returns to Court After Illness, Jury Deliberates His Fate in Rape Trial
Hamas, Hezbollah flags fly at anti-Israel protest minutes after Mamdani condemns terror plot against Jews
Spurned spouses cash in as North Carolina’s ‘homewrecker’ law turns cheating into a courtroom jackpot
DA Said Gunman Needed Heavy Sentence And Judge Didn’t Listen: Guess What He’s Charged With Now
How Democratic leadership sank $40 million meant to defend key seats on a gamble that backfired
Trump blasts Sen Bill Cassidy as ‘disloyal disaster,’ pushes challenger Julia Letlow in Louisiana GOP primary
SCOOP: How Trump Admin Is Taking Leftist Terrorism Crackdown Worldwide
Exiled Muslim scholar warns far-left–Islamist alliance behind anti-Israel protests echoes Iran’s rise
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.
