Kentucky Democratic Senator Switches To GOP: ‘Party Left Me’

“First and foremost, I’m a mother, a rancher and a lawyer with deep personal and professional roots in Kentucky’s coal country,” the former Democrat said. “As the Democratic Party continues its lurch to the left and its hyperfocus on policies that hurt the workforce and economic development in my region, I no longer feel it represents my values.

“It has become untenable and counterproductive to the best interests of my constituents for me to remain a Democrat,” she said.

“While it’s cliché, it’s true: I didn’t leave the party — the party left me,” she said.

It is a tough hit for the Democratic Party in the state as Webb is from a rural area of Kentucky, which has been a stronghold for the blue party because of its union ties and coal mining industry.

The news was celebrated by Robert Benvenuti, Chairman of the Republican Party of Kentucky.

“Like countless other Kentuckians, [Webb] has recognized that the policies and objectives of today’s Democratic Party are simply not what they once were, and do not align with the vast majority of Kentuckians,” he said.

“I always respected that [Webb] approached issues in a very thoughtful and commonsense manner, and that she never failed to keenly focus on what was best for her constituents,” he said. “It is my pleasure to welcome Sen. Robin Webb to the Republican Party.”

But the state’s Democratic Party lashed out at Webb, saying that she is “not a Democrat,” which may not be the burn they think it is.