North Carolina Democratic state representative Tricia Cotham announced on Wednesday that she would switch political parties and become a Republican, a move that hands the GOP a veto-proof supermajority in the state House in the middle of the legislative session. The decision was made out of frustration and disagreements with the modern state Democratic Party.
The switch will enable Republicans to push through legislation regarding gun control, abortion, and education that Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper previously blocked or threatened to veto. Democrats are aware of this situation and have called for her resignation.
When reached for comment by The Washington Examiner, Cothams' office demanded her resignation from her party as well due to their perceived deceitfulness surrounding this change.
Despite North Carolina's increasingly diverse population and its penchant for close statewide contests, Republicans have dominated state legislative races since seizing control of the General Assembly in 2010 elections; however, Democrats currently maintain 49 seats.
Cotham has previously opposed Republican efforts to limit access to abortion services while serving as a Democrat legislator. She even shared her own experience about having an abortion involving non-viable fetus during one such debate on the floor of House chambers. With Roe v Wade overturned recently at federal level , North Caroline remained refuge for patients seeking abortions in South region ; now this new development may lead towards changes over various issues like LGBTQ+ rights , education funding , gun laws enforcement & voting rights protection along with criminal justice system reforms .
During Representative Cotham's five-year hiatus from elected office before rejoining politics under GOP umbrella- she spent time working as president within charter school operator organization which might imply possible influence upon upcoming educational policies being introduced into legislature soon enough after gaining majority support among fellow lawmakers present there already waiting eagerly anticipating these proposed bills getting passed without any further obstruction caused due previous Governor vetoes issued against similar measures brought forth earlier by conservative members within ruling party then controlling both chambers at that time period when political balance seemed more evenly distributed between opposing forces vying over dominance throughout entire state governance structure located here.