In the state house in Colorado a Republican entering her last year has decided to switch to the Democratic party. This now leaves the majority in the state house here with Dems at 40 and Republicans at 25. Debbie Stafford's state house district is one that is considered pretty Red including Elbert County, which is a very conservative farming county in eastern Colorado, and the more rural parts of Arapahoe County including some parts of Aurora that are more on the outskirts. The motivation behind the switch would indicate that while Stafford herself is pretty conservative, she may not be conservative enough for the current Republican party of Colorado.
Here is some of her announcement and the source.
am happy to be here at this meeting of the House Democratic Caucus. I am here to announce that I will be joining the Democratic Party.
My decision to cross the aisle was not made lightly or quickly. This was a decision that was the product of a great deal of soul searching and contemplation. My decision comes from my gut sense of right and wrong, and my heart's deepest values.
When I decided to run for the legislature in 1999, I ran because of my love for people and the issues that impacted the lives of our citizens such as affordable housing, health care, education, juvenile justice reform, protecting small businesses, and the economy. It was and is my desire to continue to make Colorado the finest place to raise a family, to work, and to preserve the beauty of this great state.
...
I am not leaving the Republican Party as much as the Republican Party left me.
No one pushed me or pulled me: I decided it was time to place myself, and my self-respect, with the Democratic Party.
http://www.coloradoconfidential.com/...
It is interesting how far the Republicans have fallen in this state that they are losing some otherwise reliable people from their ranks.