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.”
Shark bites fisherman twice during kayaking encounter along California beach
Mass shooting at Georgia block party leaves 2 dead, 35 injured
Florida Man Pleads Guilty in $500,000,000 COVID Test Fraud Scheme
Map Exposes Flocks Surprisingly Massive Network of 300K Surveillance Cameras – They’re Trying to Scrub it
Why the 2A Exists: Strict Gun Laws Fail to Stop South African Slaughter by Gunmen With AK-47s
Trump DOT Kills Biden’s Fuel Rules to Drop New Car Prices by Over $1K
Florida TikTok creator lands in jail after allegedly turning women’s private data into posts
‘We Are Destroying These Bikes’: Californians Trade in Over 1,000 E-Bikes as Injuries Increase 430%
China’s Stranglehold on Rare Metal Is Wreaking Havoc on America’s Jet Engine Supply Chain
Celebrity Chef Responds to the Left’s Racist ‘Uncle Tom’ Backlash to Him Cooking with RFK JR: ‘I Don’t Give a…’
Hospitals Used AI to Inflate Medical Bills by Nearly $1,000,000,000: Report
Armed Florida Dad Draws on Bullies Who Attacked His Son — Then Stand Your Ground Law Saved Him
Cruz-Vance rivalry heats up as Texas senator suggests VP is ‘feeling insecure’
Tech powerhouse’s regulatory push bears similarities to a notorious Washington strategy
Rahm Emanuel urges Dems not to impeach Trump if they win the House
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.
