A Republican legislator from the Seattle area said he's defecting to the Democrats.
Two-term Rep. Rodney Tom plans to challenge Republican senator Luke Esser this fall and apparently saw his party affiliation as a hindrance in his changing Bellevue district. "I realized the far right has complete control of the party and for me to be effective for my constituents I need to be a Democrat," Tom told the Seattle Times. He faulted the GOP's anti-tax policies, saying that as a businessman he knows the state needs to invest in its infrastructure.
Tom's surprise move hurts Debi Golden, a Bellevue College administrator who plans to challenge Esser with the backing of the national group Progressive Majority. Meanwhile, Washington GOP chair Diane Tebelius called on Tom to resign his seat.
The defection is the latest setback to the local GOP. State Sen. Brian Finkbeiner (R-Kirkland) gave up his leadership post in the Republican caucus in order to focus on his district. The latest change boosts Democratic control of the Senate to 27-22. The conservative, pro-business results of the last legislative session should help bolster that share even more this November. The test will come next year with the temptation to increase spending to satisfy constituents.