California legislator flips from Republican to Democrat because of Trump

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SF CHRON

SACRAMENTO — A fourth-term assemblyman who clung to his San Diego seat in the November election by 603 votes said Thursday that he switched his party registration from Republican to Democrat, citing President Trump as his main reason.

Assemblyman Brian Maienschein announced his flip outside the Assembly chambers while surrounded by his new party colleagues. His change gives Democrats 61 of the 80 seats in the chamber. The caucus can pass legislation that requires a two-thirds vote, such as tax increases, without the support of as many as seven of its members — or any Republicans.

In the past, Maienschein was one of a few Republican lawmakers who would cross party lines to support bills on topics such as the environment and gun control.

He said Thursday that Trump had “led the Republican Party to the extreme on issues that divide our country.” Maienschein said he supported labor protections, abortion rights and ending border separations of immigrant families, positions that put him at odds with much of the GOP.

“I can either keep fighting to change the Republican Party, or I can fight for my constituents,” he said. “There wasn’t a way that I could continue and feel good about myself and the choices I was making.”

Republican officials were furious about the announcement, which they said had been rumored for some time. Maienschein said he told the Republican caucus of his decision Wednesday night and switched his party registration Thursday morning.

“It’s unfortunate that Brian’s takeaway from his extremely close re-election was that his political future depended on becoming a turncoat,” Assembly Republican leader Marie Waldron of Escondido (San Diego County) said in a statement. “Unfortunately, some people run for office simply because they want a job, regardless of political philosophy. It appears that Brian falls into this category.”