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(CNN) North Carolina Republicans won a veto-overwhelming majority in the state House of Representatives after Democrats in the Charlotte, N.C., district announced Wednesday they would switch parties.
“Modern Democrats have become unrecognizable to me,” Rep. Tricia Kosam, who won nearly 20 points as a Democrat in the Blue district last fall, said at a news conference in Raleigh.
“I’m no longer a Democrat, but I will continue to be a public servant. That’s what is expected of me. The Republican Party is the best party for North Carolina, representing me and my principles.” Surrounded by her new Republican colleagues outside the state Republican headquarters in Cosam Raleigh, she said.
“I am a single mother of two wonderful boys, a teacher, a small business owner, a woman of strong faith, a national basketball coach, and a civil servant. Today, I will add Republicans to that list,” she said. She was “welcomed with open arms” by her new colleagues.
Cotham’s changes could have a significant impact on Tar Heel state legislation. Republicans already had an overwhelming majority in the North Carolina Senate. Cotham’s flip-side earned him 72 seats in the state House of Representatives and enough votes in both houses to override his Democratic veto of Governor Roy Cooper.
Cotham’s plans to change parties were first reported by Axios. CNN reported that he reached out to Cotham about switching parties.
Cozam resigned in 2016 after nearly a decade in the state legislature as a Democrat. She ran again in her 2022 election, winning a crowded Democratic primary and the general election for the newly elected 112th House District in southeastern Mecklenburg County.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Cossam said, “The turning point for me was that every social media platform I owned and even the back of various cars I owned had the American flag and prayer hands on them. It was when I was criticized for using emojis.”
“I really couldn’t believe we had this conversation at the time. It made me feel so bad.” Hijack it for something else, why are we here in politics ?”
North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley said in a statement Wednesday that Cozam’s announcement “continues to reflect that the Democratic Party is too radical for North Carolina.”
“Republican values align with voters, and the people of Mecklenburg County should be proud to have her represented in Raleigh.
Republican National Committee Chairman Ronna McDaniel also said in a statement Wednesday, “Even in the Biden district of the purple state, Democrats are reading what’s written on the walls: Liberal policies are too extreme.” , they are failing the American people,” and welcomed Cozam to the Republican Party.”
“Political earthquake”
Democrats reacted to Cozam’s decision with anger and disappointment.
“Rep. Kosam’s vote on women’s reproductive freedom, electoral law, LGBTQ rights, and strong public schools will determine the direction of the state we love. I don’t think she will abandon these long-standing principles.” Hard to believe, she should vote the way she always has, Cooper said she will vote when these issues come up, regardless of party.
Newly elected North Carolina Democratic Party Speaker Anderson Clayton has called on state legislators to resign.
“Rep. Cotham’s decision to switch parties is the ultimate deception. rice field. Other Democrats and Cozam District residents at a press conference outside party headquarters in Raleigh on Wednesday. LGBTQ rights are at stake, voting rights are at stake, our future as a state is at stake.”
“This is not about political revenge. This is about voters who trusted Ms. Kosam to defend their values, and now there is little reassurance that she will.” “HD112 is a 60% Democratic constituency, and they didn’t choose to elect Republicans. They chose to elect Democrats.”
Cameron Pruett, chairman of the LGBTQ+ Democratic Party for Mecklenburg County, said at a press conference, “When I invited Tricia Cotham to a human rights campaign dinner a few weeks ago, I knew there was a problem with her not showing up. Was this a deliberate move? How long has she known? Voters deserve to know.”
Rep. Jeff Jackson, a former state senator representing parts of Mecklenburg County, said: tweeted on wednesday Kosam’s decision represents a “political earthquake” that “has a profound impact on millions of people.”
“I don’t know how she will vote on specific bills, but dozens of bills that were essentially dead have come back to life, from electoral law changes to reproductive freedom to LGBTQ rights to education policy. May.” And the state budgets that govern education funding are now passed entirely on the Republican vote.”
“North Carolina has no recall clause. She will be able to complete a two-year term that started in January, during which the Republican Party will be in complete control,” Jackson said.
Cozam’s campaign website, which still lists her as a Democrat as of Wednesday afternoon, addresses issues such as protecting voting rights, affordable housing, health care, and equitable public schools, among other issues. Under the section entitled “Equality for All,” Cotham called himself an “LGBTQ+ rights advocate” and said, “Now, LGBTQ+ youth are the Republican Party nation-wide. I am strongly opposed to discriminatory laws and will pass on more protections at the state level.”
Cotham ran for election last year with the endorsement of EMILY’s List, which supports women supporters of the Democratic Party who advocate for abortion rights.
Last week, Republicans in North Carolina enacted legislation to override Cooper’s veto and ease the permit requirements for purchasing pistols. With three Democrats absent from the state House, including Cozam, Republicans were able to push through the override.
This story has been updated with additional information.
CNN’s Kaanita Iyer and Alta Spells contributed to this report.
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