A Democratic state senator in Pennsylvania who represents a district that flipped to President Donald Trump in 2016 said that he is considering becoming an Independent and caucus with the state’s Republicans because he is tired of “purist” politicians and felt a disconnect with an increasingly liberal party, Fox News informed.
“As an Independent, I will continue to put people above politics,” said state Sen. John Yudichak, who represents Pennsylvania’s 14th senatorial district in the northeastern part of the state. “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 stated that the Democratic “tent is shrinking every day.”
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 the re-election to a third term in 2018 in the district without any challengers.
He stated that his positions on matters will not be changed and he will proceed with his support of some of the Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s policies.
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