All articles tagged with #party switch
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman says he has no plans to switch parties and will remain a Democrat, despite Republican overtures and Democratic backlash over Israel policy. He notes disagreements with his party on Israel but pledges he would leave only if the Democrats become anti-Israel, while Senate Republican leader John Thune floated welcoming him to the GOP.
Sen. John Fetterman said he would leave the Democratic Party if it officially adopts an anti-Israel platform or refuses to support Israel, signaling a potential party switch or independent caucus. He noted Democrats have sometimes opposed Israel in recent debates, and cited shifting public opinion toward Palestinians amid the Gaza war; his Pennsylvania seat has seen his Democratic support dip (polls showing only around 19% approval from Democrats), complicating a likely 2028 bid.
Democrats are worried Sen. John Fetterman could complicate their path to a Senate majority by switching parties, though his Washington Post op-ed says he has no plans to leave the Democrats; the piece notes that a Specter-style move is possible but unlikely, given Fetterman’s swing-state roots and his history of breaking with his party on a few issues, which could make him a pivotal vote in a narrow majority and influence future dynamics on Iran, Gaza, government funding and court vacancies.
California Rep. Kevin Kiley announced he is leaving the Republican Party to serve as an independent in Congress.
California Rep. Kevin Kiley announced he is switching his party designation from Republican to independent and will run for reelection in the Democratic-leaning 6th District on a no-party-preference ballot, while continuing to caucus with Republicans. He also said he won’t seek reelection in his current 3rd District after redistricting tilted districts toward Democrats. He becomes the first independent in the House since 2019, though he remains aligned with the Republican caucus.
Former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan has announced his run for Georgia governor as a Democrat, citing his opposition to Trump and party changes, and aims to appeal to moderates and disaffected voters in a competitive Democratic primary.
Former Republican Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, Geoff Duncan, announced he will run for governor as a Democrat in 2026, marking a significant party switch amid a competitive political landscape in the state.
Former Georgia Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan has switched to the Democratic Party and announced his run for governor, positioning himself as a challenger to Trump and focusing on issues like healthcare and democracy in a competitive battleground state.
Former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan switched from Republican to Democrat, criticizing the GOP's policies and Trump’s influence, and was publicly denounced by Trump on social media. Duncan's move reflects a broader trend of party realignment in the U.S., with Democrats gaining ground in party affiliation.
Former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, who left the Republican Party and became a Democrat after criticizing Trump and the 2020 election results, was publicly attacked by Trump in a late-night social media post, highlighting ongoing political tensions and potential future campaigns.
Former Georgia Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, who was raised Republican, has switched to the Democratic Party citing disagreements over gun policies, political polarization, and his opposition to Trump’s claims about the 2020 election, and he is considering running for office again.
Former GOP congressman David Jolly announced his run for Florida governor as a Democrat, citing his opposition to Trump and the Republican Party's culture wars, aiming to challenge the state's shifting political landscape and current GOP candidates.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson's switch to the Republican Party is seen as a strategic move to position himself as a future Republican candidate for statewide office in Texas. While it may give him an easier path to higher office, he will still face challenges appealing to the GOP's conservative base. Johnson's record as a Democrat, including support for women's reproductive rights and COVID-19 restrictions, may hinder his viability in a Republican primary. However, his switch has drawn praise from leading Republicans, who see him as a symbol of conservative leadership in urban areas. Democrats view his departure as a disappointment and a reflection of the Republican Party's efforts to court Black voters.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, who previously served as a Democrat in the Texas legislature, announced that he is switching parties and will now be a Republican-affiliated mayor. Johnson criticized Democratic policies in an op-ed, blaming them for increased crime and homelessness. He emphasized the importance of championing law and order and practicing fiscal conservatism in urban centers. Johnson's decision makes him the only Republican among the mayors of the 10 most populous cities in the US. The Texas Democratic Party accused him of being dishonest with voters, while Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott welcomed his party switch.
Georgia state legislator Mesha Mainor, a Democrat from Atlanta, has switched to the Republican Party, becoming the only Black member of the GOP among Georgia's 236 state lawmakers and the first Black Republican woman to serve in the Georgia General Assembly. Mainor cited disagreements with Democrats over issues such as school vouchers and disciplining prosecutors as reasons for her switch. She also accused legislative Democrats of sabotaging her work and publicly slandering her. Mainor's defection gives Republicans a 102-78 edge in the House.