New Jersey state senator says he's leaving GOP to join Democrats

[Wicked Blue]

Source: NBC News

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey state Sen. Samuel Thompson said Monday he’s leaving the Republican Party and plans to seek reelection this year as a Democrat.

Thompson, 87, said in a phone interview that he decided to leave the GOP after party leaders questioned his fitness for office because of his age.

“The betrayal by so many of my friends — that was too much for me,” he said. “I am not leaving my party. My party leadership has left me.”

Thompson’s departure would expand the Democrats’ edge in the state Senate from 24 to 25 seats in the 40-member chamber.



Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/new-jersey-state-senator-says-leaving-gop-join-democrats-rcna70525

[Marcus IM]

1. He is not leaving the party...

... just switching affiliation to get elected.

Gotta shake one's head watching USA politics.

[2naSalit]

2. Anything goes these days.

[NullTuples]

3. I don't trust any of them. I hope their true Dem opponents paint them as "Still a Republican"

They've supported the party through > and now, suddenly they've reached an inflection point that makes them denounce the whole kid and kaboodle? No way. They made their bed, now they have to sleep in it.

Even if they get elected as Democrats, what sort of Democrat would they be? It's not like they're suddenly changing their tune on all the actual issues.

Kyrsten Sinema, Joe Manchin...do they really think what Democrats want is MORE of THAT???

[brooklynite]

17. Not sure a NJ State Senator lines up with a Senator from a Red State.

[Martin68]

4. This guy is a nut. The GOP, not surprisingly, wanted him to retire at 87. So he switched to the

Democratic Party to get back at his own party. He's a Trumpist who has no business in the Democratic Party. Time to retire, old fella. BTW, I'm not being ageist. I'm 70, but I think this 87-year-old is not making sense.

[brooklynite]

18. Nothing in his voting record suggests he's pro-Trump

https://ballotpedia.org/Samuel_Thompson_(New_Jersey)

And based on the last election, a "real" Democrat isn't likely to win in this district.

[Bayard]

5. 87 years old,

And he finally gets a conscience.

[tavernier]

7. No, he got a Tesla

and wants to pay for it.

[twodogsbarking]

6. Just retire already.

[onetexan]

13. I think thats best in his case

& let a mich younger Dem run as a true Dem.

[RussBLib]

8. Need to see this in the US House

....are the few moderates left in the GOP all fine with this crazy caucus BS?

[spudspud]

9. LOL. He's full of himself. And a snowflake. /nt

[Lunabell]

10. How's it feel to be a minority and being discriminated against?

Didn't think of that while cashing in on republican checks from rich donors? Yeah, fuck off.

[republianmushroom]

11. BS he will always be a republican

[padah513]

12. I got it

He'll win as a Democrat and then switch back to a republican taking a Democratic seat with him. Too clever by half

[oasis]

14. Take your worthless hide out to pasture.

We don't want your sorry ass.

[Crowman2009]

15. Never trust a party-switcher running for office.

Sellout Sinema is another example.

[iemanja]

16. I'm happy to have another Democratic voter

and someone who will vote for Democratic legislation.

ETA: I don't know the particulars of this guy's career. Seems there may be more going on.

[JohnnyRingo]

19. He's 87. The GOP is afraid he can't win reelection.

He is probably ready to retire.
If they put him up as an incumbent democrat they can run another more viable republican against him and keep the seat.

I don't trust him or his party.