Kentucky state senator leaves Democratic Party, switches to Republican

Kentucky state Democratic Sen. Robin Webb, who represents Kentucky’s 18th Senate district, is leaving the Democratic Party and joining Republican Party.

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

Webb was first elected to the Kentucky State House in 1998.

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

Republican Party of Kentucky Chairman Robert Benvenuti reacted to Webb's decision.

"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.