Since state governments began swearing in elected officials for the new legislative sessions, Democrats continued to see gains in their numbers. But how, when the 2018 election is over?
Republicans in Kansas, California and New Jersey left the GOP to become Democrats. And they all cited the same reason.
According to Kansas state Senator Barbara Bollier:
"The Republican Party, for all of its statements of having a big tent, continues to limit the tent. Those of us who were moderates are clearly not welcome."
Three other Kansas Republicans joined Bollier in the exodus from the GOP. Along with their fellow former Republicans in California and New Jersey, the new Democrats all stated the GOP became too extreme under President Donald Trump.
New Jersey state Senator Dawn Marie Addiego said:
"My core values that originally drew me to the Republican Party have not changed, but the party which once echoed the vision of Ronald Reagan no longer exists."
Dawn Addiego, a Republican senator serving New Jersey’s @8thdistrictleg, has announced that she will switch parties… https://t.co/pBVMFRwHpj— Jeanette Beebe (@Jeanette Beebe) 1548786276.0
@notcapnamerica Even more fun, this happened in Kansas in December, 3 GOP members moved to the @KansasDems https://t.co/os2wRjUlAR— CC (@CC) 1548435774.0
California Assemblyman Brian Maienschein, who left the GOP just days before Addiego cited differences with the current Republican Party leadership on "immigration, health care, gun control, abortion and gay rights."
Those of us who were determined to elect a Democrat in the 77th Assembly District, will be watching closely to see… https://t.co/45pr09578l— Sunday Gover (@Sunday Gover) 1548358850.0
Over the past two months, as lawmakers were sworn in and this year's statehouse sessions got underway, Republicans… https://t.co/tVQUwUc0Yc— NBC Politics (@NBC Politics) 1548995704.0
Dems gain as GOP state lawmakers switch sides because of Trump extremism Over the past two months, Republicans in… https://t.co/MuD5rz8CZC— 🇺🇸🗽ℋℴ𝓃ℯ𝓎 ℛℯ𝓈𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓈🗽🇺🇸 (@🇺🇸🗽ℋℴ𝓃ℯ𝓎 ℛℯ𝓈𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓈🗽🇺🇸) 1548965750.0
@MattCorrales @willrk787 was the first Republican to switch to Democrat, to be followed by @nathanfletcher and now… https://t.co/XeUVEYdHJG— GLAAZER (@GLAAZER) 1548828460.0
Director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, Patrick Murray, stated:
"This is largely a product of the Trump phenomenon. President Trump has blown the lid off of this party. It starts to look like a personality cult."
@NBCPolitics Let's hope this is a growing trend. Trump has done serious damage to the Party and the office. Now is… https://t.co/1LhiYVofcE— JustKeepPaddling (@JustKeepPaddling) 1548995983.0
Some people suggest more Republicans should consider doing the same thing, including at the federal level.
@mkraju @jbarro Hey Lisa, here’s an idea: How about you and 3 other sane Republicans (if there are any) switch to I… https://t.co/kcQL2IJBhp— Saravan Chaturvedi (@Saravan Chaturvedi) 1548370037.0
People thought it was an excellent suggestion for ending the gridlock on progress in the United States Senate that they attribute to Senate Majority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
McConnell blocked legislation that could have ended the partial government shutdown, which angered many voters.
@SachaturTweets @mkraju @jbarro Great idea, Saravan. They don't even need to formally switch parties, just caucus w… https://t.co/uNH368VYtJ— MJBPGH (@MJBPGH) 1548374514.0
@mjbpgh @mkraju @jbarro True. #DitchMitchNow— Saravan Chaturvedi (@Saravan Chaturvedi) 1548374873.0
Why not get 10 republican senators to switch parties so they don’t get whacked in the next election? Give some lead… https://t.co/NGbqN6QXEc— Political Thinker (@Political Thinker) 1548991543.0
Although some thought it might be too late for the Republican Party to recover.
@SachaturTweets @mkraju @jbarro Good idea! The type of Republican you describe is extinct, however.— Jim Rubin (@Jim Rubin) 1548376284.0
@JamesRubin1 @mkraju @jbarro Sad, but true.— Saravan Chaturvedi (@Saravan Chaturvedi) 1548384676.0
@SachaturTweets @mkraju @jbarro Their Senate career might even be enhanced - not destroyed! My guess is independen… https://t.co/Um9ZX4sGU8— TrumpKnowsNada (@TrumpKnowsNada) 1548380499.0
And McConnell's devotion to President Trump's wall is another point of contention with voters.
@mkraju It means nothing. He gets nothing. Americans don't want to pay for the stupid wall. Not a goddamn dime. https://t.co/JwHxWgSQnq— Tracey Gaughran (@Tracey Gaughran) 1548369036.0
Meanwhile individual voters are also vowing to switch parties.
@NBCNews I’ve been a republican since 1982 - will switch to democrat as soon as the 2020 primaries. These republic… https://t.co/37ZWWmHvJ2— joe dokeley (@joe dokeley) 1548952168.0