This week, yet another Democratic lawmaker has abandoned the party, leaving Democrats with a sour taste in their mouths. Louisiana state Rep. Jeremy LaCombe is the second Louisiana Democrat in less than a month to switch to the Republican Party and the third nationwide.
This news follows President Biden facing a near-record low approval rating in key groups such as women, voters 45 and up, suburban voters, rural voters, and Democrats. His approval rating among Democratic men in particular is at a low of 78%.
It’s unclear what prompted LaCombe’s departure, but it’s clear that his switch has put Democrats in a difficult position. Not only have they lost another lawmaker, but they now have to face the reality that their party may not be as popular as they thought.
The move now gives the GOP the supermajority to override their Democrat Governor, John Bel Edwards.
This could spell trouble for Democrats in upcoming elections as Republicans gain a stronger foothold in state legislatures. It’s a situation that could become even more dire if other Democratic lawmakers decide to follow LaCombe’s lead and switch to the Republican Party.
These party switches are a major blow to the Democrats electoral prospects.
This is now the second instance of Democrats switching sides to give Republicans the supermajority.
Recently we reported that North Carolina House Republicans will soon have a veto-proof majority, as a long-serving Democrat from Mecklenburg County, Rep. Tricia Cotham, is expected to switch parties on Wednesday.
The news has been met with outrage from many Democrats in the state, including North Carolina Democratic Party chairwoman Anderson Clayton and House Democratic Leader Robert Reives, who have called on Cotham to resign.
At midday on Tuesday, Cotham had moved her desk in the House chamber to the Republican side, signaling her intent to switch parties. Republican House Speaker Tim Moore has scheduled a news conference with Cotham at the state Republican Party headquarters in Raleigh on Wednesday to formally announce the switch.
The move by Cotham will give Republicans the exact number of seats needed to override any vetoes from Gov. Roy Cooper. Cooper has issued a statement calling the move “disappointing” and urging Cotham to still vote on issues “the way she has always said she would vote when these issues arise, regardless of party affiliation.”
The news of Cotham’s switch comes after months of speculation that several House Democrats were considering switching parties.
The switch by Cotham is sure to have a major impact on the future of North Carolina politics. With a veto-proof majority, Republicans will have more power to pass their desired legislation without having to worry about facing a veto from the governor.
