Colorado GOP Sen. Kevin Priola switches party affiliation to Democrat, citing election conspiracies

[Geechie]

Source: Denver Post

Considered a more moderate Republican in the statehouse, Priola said he believed the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol would make the GOP distance itself from Donald Trump and “the political environment he created.” But it did not, and he wrote that he watched “brave and honorable Republicans” who did get threatened and ridiculed.

In an interview, Priola said what Trump has done sets a dangerous precedent, so after a lot of thought, he changed his affiliation Sunday night.

Read more: https://www.denverpost.com/2022/08/22/colorado-kevin-priola-state-senate-republican-democrat/

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Better late than never.

[ZonkerHarris]

1. welcome to the party pal

[DavidDvorkin]

2. The GOP thought they might take control of the Colorado Senate this time

But this probably kills that possibility.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. Kudos to him, may he be the first of many who rejects the party of criminality!

[NJCher]

4. Trump has

Ruined their party. It is in tatters, shreds. Now McConnell is thinking the senate is not going R.

Regardless, welcome Kevin priola.

[oldsoftie]

12. When the hell will they "get" it?

[ck4829]

5. K&R

[Mawspam2]

6. In all of my orbits around the Sun...

...I've seen plenty of people switch from D to R, a few from R to I, but I can't recall ever seeing someone switch from R to D.

Looking it up, Arlen Specter switched R to D in 2009, got primaried and lost to Sestak in 2010 who lost to Toomey in the general.

"Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele ripped Specter, calling him a Republican in name only who was out of step with the rest of the party because of his "left-wing voting record."

"Some in the Republican Party are happy about this. I am not," Steele said in a written statement. "Let's be honest -- Sen. Specter didn't leave the GOP based on principles of any kind. He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record."

Steele said Republicans "look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don't do it first."

[Geechie]

9. Then there's Charlie Crist

He was Republican governor of Florida, then switched to Independent & is now running again as Democrat. We’ll see if he can beat DeSantis (or his primary opponent).

[Mawspam2]

11. He was Governor before, people don't like retreads.

He lost the R nomination to Rubio, RUBIO! Then turned I and lost to Rubio in a three-way. After that, he couldn't win his home district as a R so switched to D.

Plus, can women trust him not to revert back to R when it comes to abortion? Sorry, no.

[oldsoftie]

13. Well, he's going to win the primary. And "retread" could also read "incumbency"

Since he's been Gov before, its not like he's an unknown. The incumbent usually has the big advantage but with him, they already know how he was before. I think it'll help more than hurt. Along with DeSantis being a dick

[riversedge]

7. Good for the folks in Colorado especially as this might prevent CO legislators from going GOP.

[MissMillie]

8. Just read this and couldn't help but wonder

what kind of a tantrum Boebert is pitching over this.

Guess I'll check her twitter feed.

[Geechie]

10. Also wondering if Manchin or Sinema is pitching a fit