Recently re-elected Maine state lawmaker leaves Republican Party

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A Republican state lawmaker in Maine announced Thursday that he would be leaving the GOP to become an independent.

Rep. Don Marean confirmed his decision to the Bangor Daily News, but did not offer an explanation for his choice to leave the Republican Party.

Marea, who was re-elected to his position last year, told the paper that he wouldn't comment further on his decision “out of respect” for House Republicans.

“We were informed by the speaker’s office yesterday that he has unenrolled,” John Bott, spokesman for House Republicans, told the news outlet Friday. “We do not have any details on his decision.”

Marean’s decision to become an independent reduces the GOP’s minority in the Maine statehouse to 56 and makes him the state’s seventh independent in the chamber. Marean is term-limited and won’t be running in 2020.

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/423980-maine-state-lawmaker-abruptly-quits-gop-switches-to-independent

[Liberty Belle]

1. We're seeing more and more of this across America.

In my hometown, La Mesa, CA, both the mayor and a councilwoman have left the GOP and are now independent. Two Dems were also recently elected, so there's one Rep left on what was once a 5-Republicans board.

[akraven]

2. I don't mind "Independents". Most side with Dems on most issues.

Lots of them way up here. Big Oil controls the Republican party (they don't know how to party) but don't mess with Independents, just Democrats.

Thank you Rep. Marean. Live long and prosper!