Another Democratic lawmaker has joined the Republican Party, making her the third in a month to do so.
It was not made clear why Louisiana state representative Jeremy LaCombe decided to switch parties, and the former Democrat has maintained a low profile. Nevertheless, The Advocate reported on Monday that LaCombe had joined the GOP.
Democrats in the state, despite holding the governor’s office, have been reduced to essentially powerlessness, and LaCombe’s flip constitutes yet another devastating political blow to them.
Rep. Francis Thompson, a colleague of LaCombe’s, joined the GOP last month, giving the party a sizable supermajority in the state house that is veto-proof.
JUST IN: Louisiana Democrats have lost another member to a party switch as state Rep. Jeremy Lacombe has switched to the Republican Party.
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) April 11, 2023
Good choice 👏https://t.co/0zEdNjXtWa
Because another Democrat, Rep. Francis Thompson of Delhi, moved to the GOP, Republicans just obtained a supermajority in the state House, a necessary level for overriding vetoes and passing tax proposals. The state GOP convened a press conference to promote the news in such a situation.
Lower profile was LaCombe’s switch. On Monday, he announced the change but didn’t give any explanations.
His choice comes as the Republican-led Legislature meets in Baton Rouge for its normal legislative session. During this time, lawmakers will discuss a variety of culture war-related problems as well as insurance-related concerns and decide how Louisiana allocates additional tax money.
Sam Jenkins, the chair of the House Democratic Caucus, said in a statement that LaCombe continues to uphold “the same values” as the Democratic caucus.
Republicans also gained a supermajority in the North Carolina House earlier in April thanks to state Representative Tricia Cotham. Contrary to LaCombe’s transition, Cotham’s was widely reported.
Like thousands of others, Rep. @TriciaCotham is done with the Democratic Party:
— GOP (@GOP) April 5, 2023
"If you don't do exactly what the Democrats want you to do, they will try to bully you. They will try to cast you aside." pic.twitter.com/aheJEhFaZH
Cotham publicly criticized the party for shunning moderates and lawmakers who dared deviate from the Democrats’ hard-left agenda in a furious press conference.
According to Cotham, “If you don’t do exactly what the Democrats want you to do, they will try to bully you, They will try to cast you aside.”
