Fed-up Kansas GOP state senator abandons the Republican Party and becomes a Democrat

[workinclasszero]

MARTIN CIZMAR 12 DEC 2018 AT 10:37 ET

Republican state senator in Kansas has defected from the party to become a Democrat, reports the Shawnee Mission Post.

Sen. Barbara Bollier represents a district in the Kansas-side suburbs of Kansas City, the same area Democrat Sharice Davids, who is a lesbian and native American, trounced GOP incumbent Kevin Yoder by 10 points in the midterm.

Bollier cited the inclusion of anti-transgender language in the party platform as her breaking point.

“Morally, the party is not going where my compass resides,” Bollier said. “I’m looking forward to being in a party that represents the ideals that I do, including Medicaid expansion and funding our K-12 schools.”

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/12/fed-kansas-gop-state-senator-abandons-republican-party-becomes-democrat/

[Arkansas Granny]

1. I have mixed feelings about Republicans joining the Democratic party. While I'm happy to see some

Republicans leave their party, I have to wonder if that will eventually make the Democratic party become less progressive and more conservative. If they are going to switch allegiances, I hope they will embrace the goals of their new party, not try to remake it into a mirror of the party they just left.

[Autumn]

2. The only reason these people are leaving the Republican party is

because there are no moderate Republicans. I'm not good with this, they should drag their party back to where they can live with it.

[workinclasszero]

3. Yes I share your concern about that

We don't need more conservadems, got enough all ready.

"Bollier cited the inclusion of anti-transgender language in the party platform as her breaking point."

The quote above is a good sign though.

[MagickMuffin]

4. Yes, that quote is definitely a good sign

My thoughts were: Why were you a republicon in the 1st place? and What took you so long to figure out the republicons are bigots???

[workinclasszero]

5. IKR?

Sure took a long time for her to wake up to that fact.

Better late than never, but still...

[struggle4progress]

6. "Immoral rightwing extremists somehow no longer represent my views"

[Autumn]

9. That what I have a problem with, that's the party she joined. Those aren't new views.

[struggle4progress]

11. +

[lindysalsagal]

7. I dunno. She ran as an r, so, is it ok to fool your voters?

Seriously. Isit?

[gratuitous]

8. I like the reasons she's leaving the Republicans

The party platform plank against transgender persons was the breaking point, but Bollier also couldn't abide Republicans' neglect of health care and education funding. Those are important, bedrock differences between Republicans and Democrats. I welcome any party defectors who cross the aisle on those bases. Civil rights, education, and public health are all issues that Democrats are on the right side, the popular side, of.

There may be more Republicans like Bollier who aren't in lock-step with their party's platform. Democrats can make it uncomfortable for them to remain in the Republican party by talking up these differences.

[Bengus81]

10. Pfffftttt...I call BULLSHIT,just a stunt IMO

No doubt voted for those Brownback tax GIVEAWAYS for Corporations, (ZERO % tax rate) which KILLED proper funding for schools for years. That area she represents is a Dem strong hold. Bet she wouldn't be pitching this shit if she lived in western Kansas.

[Javaman]

12. "Morally, the party is not going where my compass resides" um what?

NOW she chooses to change?

with all colossal amount of bullshit, racism and outright bigotry by the repukes up to this point, she only now is fed up?

please senator, tell us your stance on a woman's right to choose, please?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

13. K&R