The Pennsylvania Senate Democrats had to make some changes to their website today. Senator John Yudichak (SD-14) announed this morning that he had quit the Demoratic Party and that he had registered as an Independent. However Yudichak plans to caucus with the Republicans.
The 14th District covers parts of Luzerne County and all of Carbon County, and includes the cities of Jim Thorpe, Hazelton and Wilkesbarre.
Pennlive.com reported that Yudichak released a statement that he was “weary of ‘purist’ politicians who demand that you choose a battle camp.”
As a result of Yudicak’s switch, the number of seats held by Democrats in the Senate drops from 22 to 21. Republicans hold 27 seats. On January 14, 2020 there will be a special election in SD-48 (which includes parts of York, Dauphin and all of Lebanon County) to replace Mike Folmer (R). Folmer resigned in September after he was charged with possesion of child pornagraphy. Folmer was re-elected in 2018, winning 62.9% of the vote.