San Diego Republican Assemblyman Brian Maienschein switches parties and joins Democrats

Source: Los Angeles Times

San Diego Assemblyman Brian Maienschein, who has served in the Legislature for six years, announced on Thursday that he has left the California Republican Party and re-registered as a Democrat in a move that further shrinks GOP influence in Sacramento.

“Donald Trump has led the Republican Party to the extreme on issues that divide our country,” Maienschein said. “But his leadership is not the only reason for my change in party affiliation. I, too, have changed.”

The unexpected decision, announced at a brief Capitol news conference just after the Assembly floor session, boosts the membership of the chamber’s Democratic caucus to 61. Republicans now hold just 19 seats.

Maienschein said his votes on key issues have “shifted to the left” as the GOP agenda moved in the opposite direction. He cited a number of issues — gun control, immigration, abortion and LGBTQ rights — where he said he was no longer in sync with Republicans.

Read more: https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-brian-maienschein-republicans-democrats-20190124-story.html